Front Ovn Own Commsronoext Sutsien, Ku., Feb. 21.
More detailed information regard-Ing the recent rioting in the country between Sutsien and Tsingkiangpu has now come to hand.
Tt seems that there were several causes of the dissatisfaction and bed feeling among the people. They were being forced to work on Jdrainage canals at very low wages, [said to be about eight cents per day. which would buy less than two pounds of flour or bread. Each family was compelled to furnish one man for such work, or pay $1 per month, as a special tax or fine.
'Farmers' fields were being destroy-by digging drainage canals through 'The. ofcals were carrying out 2 System of remeasuring. the, folds, Shaaging, figures in tile deeds, ete, Causing' ingonventence and. loss 13 some of the land owners.
'Many' of the farmers were angered the destruction of poppy plant,
able crop of opium. which would have produced avai "A. wealthy landlord, named Yao, rived In that part of the country. He said to have owned 700 or 800 mow ian, more than 100 Bglish acres this, gentleman was recognized as the head of his village, and. Became faite expert at catching and ling fu fel, Lis reputation was well known over the country side, and he had rear merit in the eyes of the people, ihe considered him as the protector for their lives and homes. He was employed at an overseer of the workmen on the drainage canals. For The renan, a large number of the people turned again hm, and deter-Trine fo put him out of the way Society became more active than jover, and proceeded to plan for open revolt against the officials of the government, Bands of men paraded Jabout the country with banners and weapons, The Szeyang Magistrate and some military officers, with a limited number of soldiers," went out among the Jdiscontented people, to try to pacify them. While an oficial was making speech in the open air, he and his party were surrounded by large numbers of Small Knife Society men. The affeers and soldiers withdrew Into an adjacent village which had a ood wall. The village was soon sur-Founded by angry people, After remaining there for a while, the off Jeers decided to break through the besiegers and make their way to the walled city of Szeyang Hsien. They succeeded in doing $0, but a good many officers, soldiers, and Small
this. move.
Knife Society men were kiled during Thousands of troops were rushed {in from neighbouring districts. The rebels were supposed to number Jabout 7,000 or 8,000. When the reforced troops advanced, the rebels were defeated and fled, taking many of their women and children with them. They went into the open country bordering on the lakes of the Mwai River Basin, 'The Soldiers' Revenge said that the commanding! officer tried to restrain his soldiers from unnecessary acts of cruelty and violence. However, the soldiers were Jeager for revenge, so they burned many villages and killed large numbers of people, contrary to their:
The Small Knives Busy For some years past, branches of the Small Knife (or Sword) Society had been in existence in that district. Perhaps the main purpose of the originators was to build up an organization for the protection of the villages against robbers. Similar organizations have existed in China from time immemorial. The members. memorize secret incantations, which ender them invulnerable. 'They do not fear guns, swords, spears, or any other weapons. As' man memorizes more and more of these incantations, and repeats them more Jand more frequently, he becomes more and more invulnerable When the people of the Nanhsingsi District, mentioned above, decided to revolt against their taskmasters and oppressors, the Small Knife Society there took on new life. It grew in numbers and efficiency. Nightly meetings wore held in each village, usually continuing most of the night. Incantations were learned and repeat ed with growing fervor. Weapons were prepared for use, The first move on the programme of violence was to. eliminate Mr. Yao, At that time, he was at his Tome, which was well guarded. Tt is fad that secret agents of the Small Knife Society entered the home of Mr. Yao's ande, which adjoined his own Rouse, The "spies went up into. a fin tower, from which place they for Min Yao! s8 be was Walling his own yar as it mas teen he Ast shot stele and Billed {his "unfortunate gentleman, and the kelllers escaped in safety.
Open Revolt Planned Encouraged by this success in disposing of Mr. Yao, the Small Knife Tt is a curious and interesting fact that some of the villagers, when Jeaptured by soldiers, saved their own Hives by proving that they were Christians, and, therefore, could not possibly belong to the Small Knife [Society, which practices idolatrous rites. This is quite a contrast to the Jconditions in former times, when [Christians were in greater "danger than any other people.
Tt now appears that the earlier reports of the casualties were considerably exaggerated, as usual. JSome estimate that between 100 and }200 persons were killed, in fighting Jand in revenge. It is probable that good many children, and some Jadults, died of cold, exposure, and starvation, after being driven from their homes into the lake country.
It remains to be seen whether suit-
Jable steps will be taken to remedy the unfortunate conditions which leased the trouble.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.