What seems to be a curious robbery took place here two nights age causing a good deal of specula tion and suspicion on the part of the residents of the city. While to the casual observer it ie only a small affair, yet so accustomed are the people to attribute other than apparent motives that there is a good deal of agitation among the merchants, and thus this trifling event would' seem to portend sinister Possibilities. Even the local news-Papers mysteriously refrained from reporting it the first day apparently teaving to provoke some greater calamity, Following as it does the recent looting at Nanking end the Tong strain of threatened looting by Gen. Ma's troops here, two months ago, the local people feel apprehensive of real trouble.
The simply facts sre that Tuesday evening about nine o'clock three soldiers in uniform, but with collar umbers removed, appeared fat a small silver shop in Chien Pai Low immediately next door to the Bank of Communications. On entering the shop they closed the door behind them and suddenly produced pistols which had been kept conceal-under their garments. Then gathering up the contents of the counters aid showcases, it. all only bout Tls. 50, they took themselves off. On leaving they ordered the silversmith to close the door after them and keep it shut on pain of dire consequences of the order reinforced by their threatening Wweapons—were not obeyed. After A wait of 15 minutes for safety: the police were notified (the shop only one hundred yards from the Water Police headquarters) who in turn Inid the matter before the military. Col. Wu, the local commandant, refused ' to acknowledge thet the' theft had been committed by soldiers and that in so far as he wax concerned there was nothin to be done about it.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.