by Bandits In spite of all denials there is a steadily growing belief in Canton that all is not well with the Kuomintang forces in Hunan (writes a Chinese correspondent to the "Hongkong Daily Press"), It was rumoured. that the division under General Li Chung-jen, commanding the 7th Kuomintang' Army Corps had suffered defeat at Pingkiang and that General Li had fallen back to Hengchow near the Kuangtung-Hunan borders. The Kuomintang state there is absolutely _no truth in these rumours. Neverthe-easiness. 2 less, they create a feeling of un-
Fears are expressed also that! the Kuomintang have not sufficient forees now in Kuangtung to main-tai peace and order. The army Headquarters, however, state that they have no fewer than 40,000 men. in the Province, in the Chao-mei Waichow, Heungshan, Lungmoon' and other}
Notwithstanding these 40,000 men, however, bandits are making river traffic almost impossible owing to their ceaseless demands for tribute! and the Eastern districts patticularly are in a sad plight, Intense Heat in Hun:
The intense heat in Hunan, to which coolies from Kuangtung' are not, accustomed, coupled with poor rations, is said to be responsible for the death of many Cantonese who have recently been impressed into army service for transportation work, Since these reports have! gained currency the recruiting of} Jabour has been very difficult, As I stated the Army. Head-with the object putting "an end to labour fights, sued instructions that workers] parading the streets should _be relieved of their bamboo pole This has led to some difficulty. The police began round up every-tone carrying a bamboo with the result that many coolies peacefully, engaged in moving goods have been deprived of their "stock in trade." Now, therefore, the Army! order has had to be modified and it is announced that coolies with their bamboo and ropes will not be molested.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.