ery quietly in this section of the \Ghristmas and Now Year passed Changtel, Hunan, Jan, 6,
country. The Churches held. th sual: Christmas entertainments and services without any evidence—of anti-foreign or anti-Christian fesling.
\New Year's day according to the solar system was observed by the officials and the government schools. A few shops made a pretence of! keeping, the day, but on the whole the people are still looking forward to their old New Year. With all the calendars now"being printed according to the solar system it will tot be so dificult next year to effect the change, The weather here has been extremely cold, snow and ice remaining on the ground continuously for several weeks. The poorer people have uffered greatly. Rice continues to advance in price and many are not able to buy sufficient for. their needs, and with scanty clothing much hardship is being endured. One riesha coolie was found dead from ex-Posure, Some of the older people remain in bed al! the time as the only means of keeping warm, The year 1929 has been an eventful one for Changteh. Five differ-fent generals have controlled the city for longer or shorter Early in the year General Tan Tao-yuen, who had been much liked by ithe people, moved the greater part of his army up river to fight against General Li Chung-jen, During his absence the old bandit leader Chao Teh-pien thought it a good op. Portunity to visit the city. The people received him kindly and offered him a handsome money hnd been paid over, General Li Yuen-chieh, entered the city with large number of soldiers. The Pandit chief got out as quickly as the could and he together with General Tan Inia siege to the city. The Battle lasted for over two weeks and finally ended up by General Chao Jetting loose his "Spirit Soldiers" who looted to their hearts' content, centering nearly every shop and home outside the city walls, The people were subjected to unspeakable treatment, among them being Mr. Gab, of the Asiatic Petroleum P&ss Noo. The brigands finally made off with a million dollars worth of silver and loot to their mountain Jair about Tah-yung. ral Li Yuen-chieh who had' ocensioned the war was removed by: 'General Ho Chien toward the beginning' of July. His place was taken by General Wu Shang, whose neat Jy dressed and orderly troops great-impressed the city. But he did mot last very long. Dissatisfaction toon took place among his own off-gers. Secing that trouble was comting General Wu fled from. the city shortly after his marriage about the middle of October. Brigadier General (Wang Poi was murdered. week after and the city was left in a state of apprehension for some days. Some time later General Tai Tao-yun was appointed by Changsha to Jock after this district. These troops have not a very good reputation, but they have behaved themselves fairly well since coming to the city.
The country all about Changteh 4s badly molested with robbers, with little or no effort being made to "ound them up, A fow woaks ago town some fifty li north of here was robbed and several people were wounded and brought to Changteh for troatment, hree disastrous fires have also visited the city during the last few months destroying some 200 homes and shops on the main street. The fires occurring about the same time gave rise to the fear that the Communists were the cause of them. The village of Tehshan was almost completely wiped out -about that time also.
Owing to these disasters and the frequent demands for money by the onilitary, business has reached very low level, Yet the merchants and people continue to carry on, it, eds doubtful if any other people would do 50. But the Chinese have Jearned the art of recoverability fey: pooples have. It is hoped that the.'New. Year will bring fresh im—pelys_ and. prosperity.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.