Huaiking, Honan, June 4.
Since May 27 9.45 a.m, Huaiking Post Office and Telegraph has been cat from the outside world. The city was an army base for Lia Mao-fen at the time of his going over to the Central Army and effecting the capture of the G: Honan. Shih Yiu-san a with a view to disarming all Lin Mao-en''s soldiers remaining Hoaiking and the five hsiens Tsiyuan, Meng haien, Wen hsi Chin yang and Pa ai. How Liu Mao-en's men also acted quick] congregated within the walled city of Huaiking and closed the gates and mounted the walls to defend it against Shih Yiu-san. Tt so happen-were stored within the city. Shih ity and for two days and two nights heavy firing took place, rifle firing machincgan and some field gun firing.
The wheat harvest time was just! on and no one was allowed to work in the fields for several 1i around the city. The Red Cross tried to arrange a truce. At first two days' truce was arranged but during that time no steps toward peace were effected and then fighting again. broke out. Then a second five-day truce was arranged and it is hoped that terms of peace may be arrang-before fighting breaks out again.
In the case of Tsiyuan city those within the city who formerly be-
Yiu-san but within 24 hours time they found themselves surrounded by other soldiers in sympathy with those who were being besieged within Huaiking City. Consequently, those within Tsiyuan city closed the city gates and awaited the coming of cavalry forces from Shih Yiu-so to drive away the soldiers who had surroumled the city.
A very favourable spring-time has drought to wheat harvest a more than average good crop. Were it not for the present war and move-event of troops the people would be happy. However, military taxes and banditry have reduced the profits from the land to almost nothing. The land tax that was formerly about $1.80 per tael has now increased to almost $6. In addition to this, their special taxes for inter-tainment of troops, fond, fodder, heavy burden, however, is thi being forced to enlist as soldiers. Formerly recruiting depots provided for this need but now sufieient men are not coming forward to fill the need 0 compulsory methods are resorted to, Huaiking city shops have had close up many times. Market towns have been pillaged by bandits. Th2 western trade routes as well as the cart roads of the plain are bu: dusty highways no more. Some da only a few pedestrians pass along. The writer drove for three hours along a formerly busy trade route and never passed or met a single pack animal or cart. The silk trade, formerly a very thriving means of livelihood for many, is now almost completely stopped. The new cocoons are selling for less than half the price of ordinary cotton per catty.
Government schools opened as mutual after the New Year and funds were supposed to be forthcominss from the Provincial Government, a percentage of the annual tax' Tand is earmarked for that purpose. Now the schools are closing down for the summer with no mention of time for re-opening. The funds for education have been diverted for military "expenses and meantime nothing can be done. The school term has been reduced to almost a fare. One Government school in Tsiyuan city was not able'to open until the month of April because of the militar7 occupying the school premises and now the students are being given examinations because it must lose for the summer there being {funds to continue. This is the case) in a great many places, the students are idle most of the time and thors are no funds to pay the staff.
Many good reforms such as anti-foot binding, village education for both boys and girls, good reads, irrigation, ete, that were initiated following the Revolution of two years ago have to a great extent lapsed. They are all disappearing about as quickly as the slogans written on white-washed walls that period. Most people are bassy 4zying to cope with the many ie and hardships of the pres and awaiting the issue of the present and awaiting the issue of the present great war south of the Yellow River, Were it not for the fact that a fairly good wheat harver: is being reaped and food is available for the present nothing would prevent a tremendous social upheaval. Peoples" societies of communists, red self-protection societies, its and armed villagers are evident everywhere, The farmers carry their swords, spears and arms to the fields in the daytime az well as their sickles, forks, hoes and harrows, They cannot afford to be unprepared. "Woo men teng pa yi pel." It is everywhere a preparation not to make 18] peace, but to combat, disturbances.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.