There have been some pitched nities recently between police, military and naval unite that ren sent a few miles up the river dislodge Hunghutze from their ongholds, The. bandits, who are ery well armed, have been showing. rear activity this summer both on re. Sungari_and inthe villages und about, holding up wich Chine uriners for ransom and. exacting vies from all shipping passing up ud down river, 'Thanks to the height of the kao-ang, it is a dificult' matter for government troops to. follow nem the bandits for any distance, the former have succeeded in engaging some strong bands and ave killed and captured not a few these outlaws, who are said to some hundreds strong though of acting conjointly.
They have evidently a good umber of informers and spies both n shore and on the river, who cep a sharp lookout for the armed orces Which are being sent against hem as well as for opportunities to track steamers and junks and weep down on villages, 'A couple of weeks ago a small henie party consisting of well nown English and American re-idants, who ventured up the river motor-boat and were bathing jose to the Customs barrier were rent at the proper time and that the Coure. should order the shop-keeper to leave the premises. The shop-keeper pointed out that had occupied the premises for years and had always paid rent, but. that now that the silver dollar had fallen in value s0 much and trade was at a' standstill and he was paying in gold yen, he wanted the rent reduced. The Court found for the house-owner, stating that the latter could please himself, if there! were no contract in force, to whom me rented the premises and what vent he wished to charge, and ordered that the shopkeeper should remove from the premises. The latter not being satisfied with the decision has appealed, but probably will lose his case again. It will thus be seen that house-owners are on top, and can please themselves as to what rent they charge, and that the local authorities "cannot dictate to them. "It is to be hoped nevertheless that the Chamber of Commerce and. the Bourse Comnities jointly willie able to get, the house-owners to look at the s state of affairs ina. proper. light and. induce them for the general welfare of the town to meet. shop-Keepers in their demand for a decrease in rents.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.