News from Chenyuan states that. the Rev. C. Freeman-Davies, Mrs. Davies, and their daughter have been visiting an outstation some 80 1i from their home. On the return journey, when nearing Chen-yuan, they met a band of robbers who stopped them, and proceeded to take "what they wanted" from the baggage. At first there was some talk of carrying off Miss Davies to be held for ransom, but the brigands abandoned the idea much to the joy of the parents. They roughly handled the reverend gentleman, and badly scared his wife, and took everything of value, including the pony Mr. Davies was riding. Some time afterwards the pony was returned, but the soldiers who went in pursuit of the robbers only succeeded in recovering'a smal} hook.
Tt appears that the robbers in that direction are keen_on getting hold of "big prey." Gon, Wang, the commander of the Central Diyision of the Kueichow forces, left here for his native place in the east of the province. It is stated he went to select a suitable spot for furying the remains of his tatler. The robbers surrounded him en route, and if he had not had two machine-guns with him there is no doubt ther would have carried him off for ransom. The machine-guns were worked with great skill, and the robbers retired leaving some dead and some wounded comrades behind them, News from the country districts is distressing. Oxen and water buffaloes are dying off at a great rate, and the outlook is serious. An ordinary animal now realizes $30, and. good stock is quoted at $50 per head.
Arrangements are being made in the city for a great memorial celebration in honour of:—(a) The officers and men who were killed ins the fighting at Pungjen; (b) the worthies who were murdered here two years ago; (c) the re-natives of those in power just now.
We will hear about it later. tory to see that the General Cham. cree, in.a telegram to Pei-fu published in the Chines? press, is indignant at the attitude of Peking regarding the. frequent capture of foreigners by bandits. It is pointed out that no steps are taken to ensure the safety of foreigners in Honan, "We sincerely request that the Government will find ways and means of securing the release of captives," concludes the message.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.