A few days ago the city pastor of one of the missions here had occasion to take a few days trip into the country. On his return journey yesterday, he experienced his first acquaintance with local bandits. When about 35 Chinese miles southeast of Kueiteh city, four men rode across country, stopped the cart in which the preacher was riding and roughly ordered bim to descend. The bandits hurriedly examined his clothing and amal] box and after relieving him of his watch, permitted him togo on. The men did not reveal any arms, but from the appearance of their dress, they probably had revolvers concealed inside their belt.
Smaill bands of tufei are also operating in the vicinity of the Kueiteh railway station. Within one week five Chinese were carried off—three men and two women—from three different villages, about an English "mile distant. from the station. About 10 days ago two Chinese were seized and led off, from just outside the North Gate, and from under the very noses of the soldiers, and not more than three days past a Chinese merchant was captured in the vicinity of the South Gate. Thus, even though Lao Yang-jen and his men have left this part of the country, there are still enough local bands remaining to cause much suffering and anxiety, and to binder trade very considerably. The annual country fair held at the town of Chuchi, just near the railway, was very poorly attended this year and the only reason given was "fear of the bandits."
Two weeks ago one of the foreigners living in the city was coming out to the north suburb, az. walking some short distance behind his wife, who was riding in ricsha. Just as they were passing through the gate, a young soldier pointed his rifle at the lady from behind. Her husband rushed up and knocked the rifle down, when the soldier turned it on him. He caught hold of it again and hein it down until. other soldiers came up and took the young soldier away. When the matter was brought to the attention of one of the military officers, he tried to smooth it over by saying that the offender probably mistook them for Japanese.
While writing this, a letter came in from the local magistrate, informing us that the Honan military governor had issued strict orders that foreigners were to be afforded every protection.
The magistrate, in attempting to comply with this order, has requested all foreigners who are living outside the city walls to move inside To ask us to desert hospital and school work seems to mean nothing to Chinese officials. However, we are not moving yet, and are interestedly awaiting further developments.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.