It was of importance to search into this matter of the bombs. because if we were not clear on this, we could not be clear on other matters. In the first place, we found the tin box was not sealed, but [quite easy to open; inside there; were odds and ends and some ordin-! ary red clay. "There was a. smell of sulphur; but it was evident that it! was not a genuine bomb case; and there was no need of further investigation as to its being a bomb. But we had no idea as to whé was responsible for the matter; so we put the two men to torture Ther made the same declaration without any change. Having no other way of dealing with the matter, we brought Chou Chen-fang face te face with Tan Shen-ching and the other, and they still said the same. But Chou Chen-fang was sly and evidently untruthful. Afterwards all that was captured was brought into the court and Chen Chen-fang, seeing that there was no chance of concealment, confessed that the whole accusation was made up by himself. My intention was to j scare the government into giving me a reward. I had no other intention. I beg you to have mercy {upon me."
"Tt is evident that at this time, when the province is under martial Jaw, this criminal Chou Chen-fang has been guil'—of making up and spreading rumours to the detriment of the government. This is a crime that cannot be overlooked. He has added to this the crime of slandorjing, to the peril of their lives, Tar and Wu. His heart is indeed evil. Not many are so had as he; execu~ jon is not too severe a penalty for him.
"According to the National Constitution, Punishments, Chap. 25. Paragraph 311, the punishment should be death, in order to gladden men's hearts and to prevent others from following the example. Besides this, Tan Sheng-ching, and the other, if they can get a reliable guarantee, may be released.
"Tt is necessary that I, Ye K''ai-hsing, the commander in charge of martial law, should make this report to Commander-in-Chief, j Chao."
"Communication 10629 [from the C-4-C in reply] I have received your report saying that Chou Chen-fang was sent to bear witness and that he has had the hardihood to inter-fore in the administration of martial law and toinjuro Tan Sheng-!ch'ing and another thinking to get. a reward. This is all on his own confession. There is no mercy for such great crime. He must be Jexecuted so us to gladden men's hearts.
This is my command."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.