One unfortunate feature of the road is the excessively high crown. The rock surface is only single track about eight of ten feet wide. For a road of that width, 'a crown of two yr three inches should be sufficient to shed water. This road has a crown three times as nigh, which is very annoying to ey and causes excessive wear on motor car wheels and tyres. The road cannot be frushed in time for the use of the Chinese Army for bringing up reinforcements. If and when peace comes to China, this road should make it possible for Sutsien to have all-weather bus service to Hsuchowfu, to connect with the railways there.
Many troops are passing here, from Tsingkiangpu to Hwuchowfu. Thus far, there has been very little robbing or trouble of any kind. In some parts of the rural districts, bandits have begun operations, on a small scale. They will probably grow worse after a while, Guerrilla bands are being organized all over the country, but in many cases their organization is rather loose, and very serious consequences are pos-
Economists seem pretty well agreed en the theory that war means high costs of living. In Sutsien, the usual order is reversed at the present time, and living is cheaper than at any time for some years past. Local flour, ground in stone mills turned by donkeys, sells at about 4 cents per pound. Almost all kinds of vegetables, Chinese cabbage, radishes and sweet potatoes sell for less than 1 cent per pound. The obvious reason for this condition is that the Sutsien district produces a surplus of grain and vegetables, which can-mot be shipped out, as jail transportation has completely broken down. Such low prices mean distress for ihe farmers.
In general the crops in northern Kiangsu have been good this year. The people in a part of Pihsien District suffered from a flood, which was not widespread. Except in the flooded area, grain is plentiful. complaining of loss incurred by thefts from the salt pans in the western district. This state of affairs reached nax when there was a serious d the salt r the Fourth Lagoon, when sons were killed and several injured. There is still cause for anxiety in this direction as the of the salt police is in arrears and they are not in touch with any responsible officials.
This seemed te lead to lawlessness in other parts, for an attempted rob-bei was made upon the premises of Messrs. Lavers & Clark, which, fortunately, was unsuccessful. About the same time, some valuable fruit trees in the orchard of the late Mr.
David Anderson were wantonly destroyed, and wayside trees as well as those in private property have now been cut down and carried away.
When news of the intending departure of the High Commissioner became known, a further tenseness was felt, and he was interviewed both by Chinese and foreign representatives regarding the settlement of prevailing conditions. The attitude of the Peace Preservation Corps was also undecided, and that of some units which had been taken over by the Chamber of Commerce, foreigners were advised not to go far afield, and to be prepared to evacuate to the island if necessary.
At this period, cheerful little Weihaiwei presented a doleful appearance, shop windows being shuttered and the streets cleared of pedestrians.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.