The fact that this is the year! 1931 A.D. and that Shanghai ranks fifth among the world's greatest ports apparently does not concern the Woosung pirate very much for he continues to ply his trade outside the mouth of Woosung and the entrance to the Yangtze River with as much activity and bravado as ever, Cargo janks and small crat are continually being preyed upon these gangs of outlaws who are still as strong and powerful and desperate as ever they were, No attacks have thus far been made on steamers but woe betide the junkmen who attempt to resi the "desperadoes. They and_thel funks are carried off to the Tsungming or the Chusan Islands, to shallow points where it is impossible for the patrol boats get at them and there they are made to pay for quietly to the tortures are practised on the boat The authorities have been doing their utmost under the circum stances but apparently they have been powerless to deal with the outlaws who, in their smaller craft, are able to move into shallow water for behind the small islands out of the reach of the gunfire of those on the gunboats and patrol boats. This fact makes the situation all the more serious, according to informants, and unless concerted action is taken by the land and sea authorities it will be most difficult to carry out suppression work in an effective manner. was frustrate ed through the timely arrival of the Haichang S. Co's cargo steamer Haishun (Capt, A. Buhre), The Haishun was nearing the Kiutoan lightship prior to. entering Shanghai from Dairen when the master observed a large junk laden with bean cakes surrounded by three sunaller ones, the occupants of which were acting in a most suspicious manner, ving had previous experiences! in this line" "said Capt. Buhre toa representative of the "North-China Daily News," "I sus. pected that the men on the smaller jeraft_ were pirates so, when we closed in on the large junk, we saw those on board making signs to attract our attention,—Coming closer, we heard all of the crew shouting to us to come to their assistance and to save life' as they were being attacked by pirates. The three pirate boats were now standing some distance away and when steered towards them, they moved into shallow water and we were unable to follow.
"We could have wirelessed to!
Shanghai for assistance but, a3 dark was approaching and it w be a little while for the gunboats to arrive, we decided to do wi lever we could to assist, "The evew of the cargo junk had! taken their bean cake cargo and piled it on deck to be used to protect them against the pi lets. They were armed preparing to defend th when they sighted the Haishun, but, fon seeing us, they appealed to us for assistance. Accordingly, we went alongside and made fast the vessel and towel her into Woosang where she anchored in safety.
"Needless to say, the men were most thankful at our timely arrival jas they realized their unfortunate plight and as they would have had a difficult time when it became dar-
Ker: they doubtless would all have been captured and killed. " All of them knelt down and kow-towed to as a sign of their gratitude but the fact that we had performed our Quty was sufficient compensation," leon cluded Capt. Bubre.
Eight years ago, Capt. Buhre had a similar experience about 60 miles to the north of Shawahshan.
Two large Shantung junks were attacked by a big fleet of pirate hanks in broad daylight. To attract the captain's attention and to stop faun, they hoisted distress flags and Jerossed his eoprse. When they explained their' predicament, Capt. Buhre went to their assistance and towed them into port without further trouble.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.