Changsha May 22.
The intimate relation between the peace of the different provinces in China is very clearly seen in the sudden spread of bandit—activity from Kiangsi to Hunan. A few weeks ago there were vague reports of the movements of Communists Jon the border, and Governor Ho Chien announced his intention of withdrawing his troops from Hengchow and the" south to deal with this menace. To-day, not only have the insurgents entered the province and progressed towards the capital, but Chang Fa-kuei has seized the; opportunity to come up from the! south, and the stability of the Changsha Government, with enemies converging on all sides, is extreme-doubtful, There are said to be four well organized armies of Communists in the north and east. One of these recently took Pingchiang. 'The magistrate and about thirty people were killed and $6,000 extracted from' that unhappy town. It suffered badly in the trouble of 1927 and has been raided repeatedly by bandits. Feuds and local quarrels and the Jconstant fear of robbers have made it almost impossible for any organized life to go on in the surrounding country. The fields are cultivated, the houses are not in-snd men and women hide in until they can flee to a safer place.
Leaving Pinchiang the troops marched towards Milo, an important railway town. It is repeatedly said that they have possession of the line but this does not seem to be true. In every case their policy seems to be to surround a town, overcome what soldiers may be within, loot the place and then retire with' their booty. At Anyuan they arrived in the night, did a certain amount lof destruction and retreated on hearing of the approach of soldiers, Everywhere the soldiers seem extremely unwill ight these rebels, and, what is more ominous, the officials are already fearing the worst and talking of a change government. Fast week " local ofganization, Chuan San, which time past has trained some of the now-renowned Communist leaders, such ax Chu Teh and Pen Teb-huai broke into a girls' school and took possession of their drilling ground. The Governor himsel€ wrote un order, forbidding them: to exter but, when they calmly and conic again, he refused lo Jany more about' the matter, 1 that if the Com would only be the. ties. Unt himeelf a that there will he "ce before long.
'The approach of Chang Fakuci and his "Ironside" another clement in the general ineceurity. is certain that these (reaps taken Yungchow whence four or five days' journey by river for by road. The Governient hi sent troops back ty Hlengchow and defend that strength of the opposi to the advancing Communists. 17 was the official date in the "re programme for Changsh: to be taken and though this has realized, the city ix extremely alan at the nearness of the enemies, Mr. and Mrs, Porteous have still nol yet been released.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.