Divisional Commander, Cheng Fu-wu, was just returne inspection tour of the di included the citi Watongehino, Junghsien, Ginyen, and a number of smaller places which were toured en route. One of -the chief things about the inspection tour, aside from the actual "look see" after the troops. was the inspection of the local militia, This is a rather new development for a commander of standing troops, as they are, as a rule, opposed to' the organization of the local militia, as it may lead to strong opposition to the regul troops. However, General Cheng encouraging their organization and helping them in their outfitting. The local militia in these parts are possibly the strongest in Szechuan. They are said to number some 40,000 and to be well equipped. Tt is also a fact phar the people have more faith in the local militia for protection against the robbers than they have in the provincial or national troop:
Since returning from the inspec tion -trip, there has been the local yogiments to inspect and these have had their turn, the last being Inspected to-day. The 20th regiment is possibly the snappiest and best equipped of the troops stationed in the city, Unfortunately there is not a drill ground hereabouts big. enough for a grand review so the troops have had to be inspected separately, From what one could see of their drill, kits, uniforms, ete. tone has no hesitation in saying that aya division they are in much better shape than General Tang's 16th division. The 16th may. be deter in heavy guns but in Tight arms the 8th is the better. Troops drilled regularly, paid monthly, and kept in hand are much better for the citizens. This is the standing of the 8th men here in Kiating. There is that much to Cheng's Taxes and More Taxes It is unfortunate that the greed wealth jx creeping in on even our General here. Additional taxes, of all kinds, are now being inflicted on the people, This is possibly because of the inroads of the provincial Tuli, upon the treasure chest of General Cheng, which has een hitherto only open to the general himself, The Salt_money of Wutongehiao has been available to Cheng alone, but now there swoms to be some pull for a large portion of the funds for Chengtu. True, the Border Commissionel, Cheng Hsia-lin, has been given 10,000 per month from the funds, but he has never been able to take possession of the money owing possibly to the vigilance of the local commander's deputy there. The Border Commissioner has not taken a cent from the local Salt office even while there is well on to 100,000 there at his disposal, Taxes such ay are being levied in other parts of the province, opium, salt, beef, vegetables, pork, tobacco, ete, are all in force and the land tax for three or four years to come is collected. This new development makes the people prone to lose their love for Cheng
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.