Large bodies of Northern troops still continue to pass here on their way to the Chekiang border, apparently on the telegraphic instructions of Marshal Pei-fu, and press-gang horrors are still the order of the day On the other hand piteous tales come to hand of bandit outrages. It is to be feared the freedom this prefecture has enjoyed from these marauders is not to go on. Yesterday a pathetic account came from a village near the border of Shan-wu, calamity overtaking the family of the principal of the government Middle School there. The old father, a man of over 70, was wounded, an uncle was murdered on the roadside, four other members of the family were carried off, as well as over a score of other leading villagers and much other destruction being wrought.
To-day we hear of a village only 10 Zi from this city full of soldiers, plundered and destroyed by another sep of robbers;, and alli the while these soldiers who ought to protect the people, engaged on expeditions to injure another province. Partly on account of bandits, partly on account of the numbers of troops passing trade on the river with Foochow has practically ceased, even the mails and especially papers and parcels are seriously delayed—in fact I hear the post-office in Foochow has lately Te-fused to receive parcels for the northwest of the province. These Militarists care nothing for any of these things, if only they can forward their own wild schemes.
The harvest up here is very good but military exactions are likely to get all the benefit. One wonders how much longer the people will stand their so called leaders
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.