During the past week' there has been a great blaze of excitement throughout the South West area Chekiang. "The vanishing troops," as Communist soldiers are called, have been on the move on a wide scale in a desperate attempt to penetrate the border. This sudden and! unexpected on-rush has greatly dis-/ turbed the peace of mind of the a country-folk all along the Chekiang frontier, bordering the provinces of Fukien, Kiangsi and Anhwei, It would seem the object of these Fukien "Reds" is to strengthen the airs already established amongst the moun-fains to the south of Chekiang, in close proximity with the province of Anhwei, Government troops were rushes with lightning rapidity to all str tegic points. They are well armed, and should easily combat the tactics—of the marauders in their favourite role of iprand-run raids, But there is no mistaking the spell of horror and fear which these "Ted" soldiers ca upon the military and civilian auk They are adepts in surprise attacks, and" often times "the Government troops find themselves ambushed and being attacked from the rear.
'The air is full of rumours but, on this occasion, there is no doubt' but what the county town of Kiangshan was in imminent danger. The Han-Kiang Railway was interfered with and, at one or two points the through service to Yushan, in Kiangsi, suspended, but the reinforcing the garrisons restored confidence and frame was resumed. There was burried exodus of ' the frightened populace to the safer domain Chuhsien, and rich people, who are all known to the Communists, are seeking the safer confines of Shang Much Rain 'There is now a "tumult of waters' {in the heavens and, for the most part, the autumn harvests can be saved. What the farmers fear now are. the windly storms and tempests " which level the maize and depreciate the harvest. The failure of the rice crops through the terrible drought has let loose a wave of depression throughout a large part. of the provines Many a farmstead will face the coming winter with cleanness of teeth, The spirit of depression continues alike in business circles and many shops have closed their doors. The "Business Tax" which shopkeepers have to bear, is proving too much for those who trade in a small way, and now there is talk of the introduetion of poll-tax in which every individual must sh Packing the heart with words" and the unanimous opinion s, that the present times are perilous' and evil. of lo, the! future ook i ater With the scarcity, and rising price
Tawyer has also become. precarious roomy. The business ofthe pet
with the increase in the cost of ing. No more prisoners are' wantes inthe Jail for rice is too" dear feed them. Litigants who succeed in their case, and deprive someone else of thee ory, ein iron bart period, have to promise to supply the ally ration of the one in custody. China is a"tand where wits do noi
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.