Though it was reported some time ago that the Blas Bay pirates were again on the move it is not believed that they had anything to do with the outrage committed on the str. Shuntien on Sunday night. Indeed every, indication points to the fact that the gang was well acquainted with the Shantung province, into which it is stated they have fled, taking their captives into the Shai tung hills where it is to be believed there will be some difieulty in finding them. It is gratifying to learn that Governor Han Fu-chu has already sent troops in pursuit of the miscreants who have carried off twenty-six prisoners, and it is to be hoped that they will quickly find them, for no one desires that the prisoners shall remain in durance long as the unhappy victims of the Lincheng affair, or those later prisoners of the bandits around Newchwang who also had to endure captivity for a very long time. It will not be surprising if the governments of those taken prisoner make the strongest possible representations the Chinese government of the subject, for its responsibility in the manner is one which cannot lightly be disregarded. It is, of course, possible to argue that the dimiculties which China has to face in maintaining peace and order in the seas beneath her jurisdiction enormous one and one far beyond her capabilities, but sovereign states have their responsibilities, and, even though it bears hardly upon her, this comes right to China's door. Unfortunate it may also be that amongst those taken prisoner is a Japanese, for it.was parti~ ularly desirable that a cause of complaint should not arise so quickly after: the recently ended Kuramoto affair. It may be, however, that Japan with the peculiar position she occupies in Shantung province may be able to bring pressure to bear which will have the effect of speedily restoring the prisoners to freedom. That it is hoped will be the case, for incidents of this nature are much too frequent in this country.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.