Peking, Oct, 28.
The "Widow Chang," notorious woman bandit leader in Honan, has Been appointed a brigade _commander in the forces of the National Government of China, according to eliable information received here. Her independent army of 3,000 picked men has been incorporated Sri the fourth division under General Fan Tso-yean, This remarkable woman fought several battles with Marshal Feng-
Vu-hsiang's soldiers during the recent civil. war, and was successful every: time. She captured several cities, and set up a sort of benevolent protectorate for the poor townspeople and farmers, levying on the well-to-do to provide the poor with food and clothing, After Marshal Feng was defeated,'she offered to serve under the: government at Nanking, and the offer was accepted. Her well-organized bandit army was left intent, as the "Widow Chang" udranteed their food behaviour.
This Chinese woman, also called "Big Feet Chang" because her fe have never been bound, has become one of the best-known characters Honan during the past two or three years, Her "bandits have been Welcomed more heartily than the regular soldiers, because she to help the poor.
'A few years ago the "Widow Chang" was the wife of a respectable merchant in a Honan city. The city was captured by a gang of Dandits, who killed her husband and children, and destroyed the family property and fortune. Mrs. Chang temporarily lost her mind, but whi she recovered her mind was fill standpoint of roads, is in the fore front of the out-Ports of China.
'A special general meeting of the rs, to the International Committee was held on Thursday, ast at the Chefoo Club Annex, when very -repsesentative gathering of Chinese and Foreign subscribers were present.
Mr. C. W. Schmidt, Chairman of tional Committee, took the special meeting which he said would be undoubtedly. the last meeting of the subscribers to the International Committee, but. ae would call upon the Honorary Secretary, Mr. A. H. Faers to explain the reason. He regretted that the Mayor, General Ho, was unable to be present having been called away suddenly on urgent business, in Tsinanfu, but he had very kindly' sent a representative in the person of Mr. Chao.
Mr. Facrs read letters from the!
Mayor to the International Com. mittee from which it was very dent that that worthy—gentleman, was acting under direct instructions from higher authorities in calling upon the International Committee to surrender their work and services in Section One in order that the whole of Chefoo may be brought, under the influence of the. new, Municipal Government, which is being set up in line with the larger plan for local government instituted by the National Government. It] wes clear from the review of correpondence, and the report of the interview that the members of the Committee had had with General Ho, that it was only politic on the part of the International Committee to} accept the Mayor's request, and soon as all obligations of the Committee could be met, that the Inter~ national Committee should cease to function as such. That the Mayor was able to extend the time for clearing up all outstanding items by giving the Committee until November 20, demonstrated that he was by sno meats unwilling to show a. helpful spirit of compromise.
was then left to the meeting tree the necessary. authority to wind up all outstanding accounts and surrender to the! with a lust for revenge on her ing to a bandit loader for admission to his gang, she showed 80 much energy and courage that who was admitted, and in a few. months was prominent in the coun-oils of the gang, The leader eventually died, and she was elected hi mittee. A motion to this effect put to the meeting was passed without! 4 dissentient voice.
Mr. Chao, the representative of the Mayor, not having any special remarks 10 make, the meeting terinated, but not before some suitable and eulogistic remarks hi been made in regard to the.work The "Widow Chang" had hidden ome of her money, and with this she bought guns, and ammunition, and enlarged the gang until it was)
compact little army of 3,000 men, better armed than any other bandit ang in Honan. For her personal Dodyguard, she selected her own and in time brothers, nephews, nieces and in-law were serving in the reported that at least 50 of the Widow Chang's gang, now: become.n regular army, are women, some as old as herself, and some quite young. The women have an Smportant part in the councils of nar. They have become real Amazons by the experience of hard Sighting during the recent civil war.
sister-in-law is reported to be charge of the Widow Chang's "'propaganda corps," an important part of her army, which goes ahead Of the organization, and displays posters informing the people. that the Widow Chang will protect the poor, and do as little harm as pos-sib Legends of the woman leader's courage in battle have swept the countryside, She is declared to be match -for any man in actual of the members of the International Committee, ard in particular to that rendered by Br. A. H. Faers, the Honorary Secretary, and Br. James Woo.
Had the Committee been able to function until December next the International Committee would have been able to celebrate its majority. It was felt that after a long period of hard work, the Committee had lettsSection Cne of Chefoo in a very. fine state of progress. That Dr. Faers and Mr. James Woo had been Prominent in the Committee's activities almost continuously from the first was gratefully - acknowledged and votes of thanks to those gentlemen were passed with loud applause.—Reuter. Sa
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.