Dear Mr. Hoste,—I sent two telegrams to-day, telling of.the taking of Sihwa, and the carrying off.of Misses Darroch and Sharp by bandits. On Saturday it seemed as if Chowkiakow was in danger, and calls for aid were sent out by the authorities. Yesterday the report of Sihwa being taken came, and this news was confirmed in the evening. This morning a postal courier told us the ladies had been seen among the captives, and at 2.30 p.m. the young evangelist arrived. The bandits left the city yesterday about 4 p.m. and passed the night at Lee Leo Kang 12 li. this side of Sihwa. They are said to be north-cast of that city now. The brigands hail from Shantung, and are said to be quite a big band, with Fan Ming-hsin as leader.
The ladies, after their money had been taken and their goods overhauled, thought the danger. over. When later they saw the robbers meant to take them, they protested that their money had been taken, but were told that if they had $10,000 to give they themselves would be left undisturbed. A number of girl boarders were taken from the public school, and many other captives, but some seem to get away without much trouble, on the other hand we hear they have captives who have Keen on the trail with them for some months.
I have seen General T'ien, who arrived from Runing by motor late last night. He has command of Shensi troops, and is the responsible man. He has sent out some forces, and other forces have been sent from Yencheng. These have remained in the city. The common report is that there is unfriendly r y between General Chin's and General Tien's men.
I trust I shall be able to send better news soon, and it is to be hoped the military authorities will not allow these Shantung bandits to proceed far with their captives.
Soldiers Said to Be Pursuing the Brigands Hotly The secretary of the China Inland Mission informs us that in a letter to Mr. D. E. Hoste, dated Chowkiakow, Ho., September 28, the Rev. J. Brock writes "I missed this morning's post to you as we had Gen. Tien call last night about 10 p.m. and he stayed a long time and I had to write several other notes and postcards.
"This afternoon word came from T'ien that robbers were held up at Hsinanchih, 120 Zé from here and 90 li from Taiho, Anhui troops and others from Shenk'iu and Hsint'ai, ete., ce-operating with the forces from this side. Both troops and robbers are short of ammunition—a fresh supply was to be sent. for troops from here to-day.
"Gen. Tien is in communication with robbers and proposes terms. He talked of a letter he had offering him opium and dollars lif he refrained from fighting them. He asked for the captives or a fight to the finish."
Under date September 30 Mr. Brock further writes:—"No further news from Gen. T'ien to-day, but we hear through Post. Office that robbers are further away—l00 li from here near Chiaishao chih, on the border line and on the river. Shansi troops are said to be enclosing them.
"No ransoms are being allowed en route we hear, but at headquarters in Ts'aohsien, Shantung, and foreigners only on robbers being reinstated in army."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.