The fighting in the north of the province does not promise to be as serious as was expected. Instead of uniting forces and joining hands against the invaders, the different factions have been striving with each other. In the Kiensi district, about a year ago, a robber chief, Yang In-pei, and his horde were enlisted, and Yang was recognized as a Colonel with his headquarters at. Hsinchang, two days N.E. of Kiensi. Not long ago two of his yin chang, Long and Tsai, deserted and went to Kiensi for the time being. They openly accused Yang of being in league with the robbers who had previously looted Hsin-chang, and further reported that their superior was favouring Brig.- Gen. Chow of Tsunyi, and intended throwing in his lot with Chow, and so forth. The General at Pichich promoted Long to the position of Colonel, and Yang, proclaiming his allegiance to Chow, was promoted by him.
The residents of Kiensi feared Yang would ask help from Chow, and attack their city in the hope of forcing Long to retire or sur-vender. Their fears were well grounded and rumour had it that Yang was on the way.. However, Long and his men decided to leave for Pichieh, and it looked as if there would be no fighting in or near Kiensi. A small section of the 11th regiment sent a message after Long asking him to return and then they left during the night for somewhere. The following day (Friday), the magistrate left, taking with him the city guard. The city was thus without a leader and the people were shut in. Some men in uniform began to appear on the yood from MHsinchang and the gentry called at the China Inland Mission to ask aid from the Rev.! D. W. Crofts. A letter was written by. the gentry to the officer in charge of the advancing troops in which they explained the situation and assured the officer and men that there would be no opposition to their entering the city. By the: time Mr, Crofts was ready to start, a string of men came running along the street, yelling and firing their rifles. Calling to the men to stop: their firing, the missionary hurried on until he met a captain. Giving him the assurance there would be' no opposition whatever had the! effect of causing the men to proceed j more quietly until they reached the main street. They gave out yang side and about 3 a.m. the people were called upon to arise and help guard the city.
Shortly after daylight the firing began and pretty soon it was apparent that the soldiers were preparing to leave the city. They looted the shops and many private houses and some were preparing to enter the mission compound when others called to them to come out of that place. Before noon there began the snapping of rifles on the eastern border, Although only scattering shots, they did their work and General Yang and his men were rushing out of the city as quickly as men, horses, etc., could carry them.
EXPECTED CLASH AT TSUNY1, Not long after they retired, the Yunnan and Kueichow troops entered the city. They seemed mad to get at the fugitives, but the hot sun and empty stomachs made many of them turn back from the city gate in the hope of finding food and rest. A forced march of 50 Zi in the broiling sun after only! a hurried breakfast was too much for the men. Those who went on reported that they had some fun. The people watched the troops entering the city with a degree of anxiety, for before evening every nook and corner seemed crammed. It is reported that in all there were seven companies entered the city that day. Their objective is Hsin-chang and Tsunyi and everyone feels certain there will be some dreadful fighting when the clash comes at the latter place.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.