Rounded Up at Tunghua But Still Active Elsewhere Mukden, Feb. 12, The following reports regarding General Wu Chun-sheng's expedition against the "Big Swords" Tunghua is available. In passing it may be stated that this organization of villagers was originally formed for mutual protection against brigands, although it later turned against the authorities, in-ceriaed by the oppression and ex-factions of the officials and soldiery.
General Wu arrived on the scene on January 25 with 3,000 government troops to suppress them. Impressed by. this overwhelming force, their leader at Tunghua offered to capitulate, presenting 50 rifles and 160 spears. However, this was not the main body of the insurgents, and Wa despatched forces to various places to attack the remaining bands. He is said to have made a successful attack on Liutakou on the "2nd of this month, the fighting lasting from 7am, till evening. In this engagement 237 of the insurgents are reported to have been killed, 47 rifles, 14 revolvers and 150 spears being taken by. the troops. On the Government side the casualty list included 27 officers and men killed ind 22 wounded. Although sur-pressed in the Tunghua region the "Swords" still romain unconquered in Chian, Kuantien, and Huanjen.
The movement is variously reported to be under the influence of Taoist priests and of Li Ching-lin's former officers.
On January 31 a Heilung-Kiang cavalry squadron, about 100 men strong, stationed at the Outer South Gate, Mukden, upon receiving orders to join General Wa Chun-sheng's expedition against the "Big Swords," mutinied, overpowering their commander, and afterwards rode away into the country, where they are. probably still roaming about. The cause of the trouble is, aid fo have been that the men had not been paid their wages for several months past, On February 1 a body of about. 50 men was seen at Shihliho, just north of Yentai, " while another body of about '15 was noticed cantering towards Lisoyang. The Japanese railway authorities, alarmed at the news, sent out reinforcements for the railway guards. tu the afternoon probably the same body, now reported to be 80 men strong, appeared at Chiulintzu, east of Shaho, where they rested in a School house and neighbouring farm houses, extorting food from the farmers. In the evening they made off towards Chinpaotai, where late at night 28 cavalryman, sent from Mukdlen in pursuit of the deserters, arrived and engaged in fighting. Another party made their appear. ance in the region of Penchia and Ghihchinoteu on the 2nd and 3rd February and extorted provisions and fodder from. the villagers. The local police is stated to have given chase, Thousands Killed Feb, 20.
General Wa Chun-sheng returned to Mukden some days ago from his expedition against the "Big Swords.' He declared that the uprising had Inow been completely quelled. The original number of the insurgent is put at about 7,000, of which Jnumber 1,000—including the Taoist leader—who resisted the government troops have been killed in the recent fighting.
Huangtua (not from JTunghua), which was believed to wwe been the headquarters of the insurgents, 300 houses were destroyed by the troops, and the home. less and destitute inhabitants are roaming about the country.
'A force of 4,000 men under the command of Chi En-ming is still being kept in the region as a safeguard against further disorder However, some gangs of the "Big /Swords" are said to have escaped and moved towards Antung where emergency patrolling has been in. stituted—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.