We have received a copy of letter written by the Rev, B. L. Ancell of the American 'Church 'Mission of Yangchow, to Bishop Graves, describing the state of the Mission premises as they have now been returned to him after several months' occupation by Nationalist soldiers. Yangchow is a-few up the Grand Canal from Chinkiang. The description may make readers feel that those missionaries are not altogether unfortunate whose premises are still occupied not only by soldiers, but by those who should certainly know better. The letter: follows:—Yangchow, April 7, 1928. 9.15 a.m, Dear Bishop Graves:
The Mahan School compound was vacated at eight o'clock this morning.
"You cannot conceive the condition' of the place. 'There is no place that is not filthy beyond description, but the worst is all along the east wall. All the servants' houses along the wall have been unfloored and turned into latrines. This, without daily attention, holds a threat of pestilence. I ain piling on lime everywhere, but some of the places can be redeemed to sanitation only by tearing down and turning the sunshine in on it.
For the present I propose nothing but a superficial cleaning up and ting: the school and other ings as are fit to keep. Further steps will be guided by We are expecting a demand from! some waiting officers; but hope to stave them off.
The Church compound is brought! back to a fairly respectable condition. The Easter service will be held there to-morrow.
Yours sincerely,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.