Mr. Powell stated that at their Jast meeting, the captives decided to ask the chiefs to allow Majors Allen and Pinger and Mr. Solom-n t" come down to the lower camp and. also that Mr. Smith should be released. Mr. Smith has been tle use of great anxiety as he is quite aa old man. and was travelling for his health. He had a_nervous. bieskdown when- in England. Several times he has gone off walks and has thrown the camp into great confusion by his temporary disappearances. The chiefs promis" to consider both matters, and they told Mr. Powell that they would release Mr. Smith when he returned from Tsaochuang.
Describing the top of Paotzeku, Inv. Powell estimated the number of captives and bandits as about 10) There were' many child-ea. Whenever the captives go for a walk they are accompanied by a guard, but Mr. Powell relates that on ove occasion when he was with—the doctor (Dr. Mertens) he outstripped tins guard in the climb up the hill. The guard gave up the venture and was found peacefully sleeping they. returned.—Reuter.
Tsaochuang, May 26.
Messrs. Liu Tseu-chin and Chen Hwan-ting, representing the local gentry; held a conference with the bandits on Friday and returned to Tsaochuang to-day. They state that the chief gave them the same terms, four mixed brigades in the army, etc., but that the chief seemed more reasonable than before, apparently surrendering to the desires of the younger chiefs who wish enlistment in the army.
The delegates were fired on when entering the camp, the outposts being drunk.
They will return on Sunday with the Shantung Government's proposals for a basis of settlement.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.