English Presbyterian Property Forcibly Occupied by Troops:
Furniture Smashed, Sold or Thrown Out, Books and Papers Flung About Compound: Soldiers Refusing to Get Out From Our Own Swatow, Feb. 5.
On Saturday last word came that soldiers had occupied the dwelling houses. and Girl's School} in the compound of the English Presbyterian Mission at Chaochow fu, and much damage was Mr. Kirke, the British Consul, who throughout these months has acted with energy, promptitude and wis-in the emergencies that have arisen. He put. te mission in touch with the Commissioner Foreign Affairs, ly ordered out.
Next day—three members of the mission went train to Chuschowfu, They learnt that it would be unsafe to go out to the compound without some escort, and accordingly got in touch" with the Civil Magistrate who sent them with an introduction to the Brigade Headquarters. The soldiers belong to the first brigade of the Pirst Army, and General Ho is both Commander of the Army, and retains his direct command of the First Brigade, He was away, but we were wel received by the officer in charge, who disclaimed knowledge of the occupation, but said that as we had now informed him the matter could be arranged. He agreed to the removal of the troops, anid promised that household property should be.respected and freedom given to caretakers. After—consultation he further agreed to send staff officer out with us that] the compound was strewn with papers, manuscript, and torn books.' We entered one house und got into what had been the study. There was no furniture left either there or throughout the house so far as we could sec, and we learnt being done. Word was taken tolthat on entering the soldiers had thrown some out, sold some, chairs etc., on the river bank, and destroyed some. Heavy furniture, which we did not see, is on the verandahs. But the contents of cupboards, drawers and bookcases have been scattered to the winds. {In the house of the lady missi aries we found officers' quarters upstairs, and there the staff officer interviewed the ying-chang—who was responsible for the occupation. He said he had nowhere else for billets, and our protest that property was destroyed replied that it was merely put away for safety. We told him we—should examine the place after he left and report all losses.
The presence of the staff officer restrained the soldiers, but their aspect was menacing both when we entered the house, and when the caretakers talked to us; so that! the civilian who accompanied us thought it wiser to clear out before anything happened.
The next day, instead of vacate ing the troops further demanded use of the hospital chapel to semble the troops in, and in spite of protest took it. Since then there has been no change, but the matter is being energetically taken up.
The Commissioner Cashiered we might examine the premises, promising that, though it was too ate that day to move the troops, they would move out next day.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.