"We feel," he continued, "that today the menace exists no longer. We give credit to General Chiang Kai-shek because when ho came about year ago with his new offers and New Life Movement a great change Was seen in Chonatu in a very short Uime. Opium dens were closed and this year no opium has been planted ju that area, except in a few remote pinees down the Gorges above Than. Tits very fact will mean more grain, more rice and wheat, for the people trid it is beginning to show effects already."
Reads were being built in all direetions. and to-day there were about 2.000 motor-cars_in Chungking and over 1.500 in Chengtu. As an example of the rear improvement in the highways, he mentioned that his son Grove iim by ear from Chengtu to Chuneking in one day. last two months since the Communists crossed the Yellow River from Shensi In February. Exeltement and con corn was created both in China and in foreign countries, largely because this province has been the most orderly one in China these 25 years singe the Republic was established, fand because nationals of several different counteles reside within the borders of this one-time Model Prov. ince. For seventeen days, twenty' missionaries and nine children were marooned in Pingyang and Hungtung, completely cut off from the outside World and their friends were anxious as to their welfare Col, Fraser, H. M. Military Attache, with Capt, Scott, came to Taiyuan to Investigate the situation with ref~ ference to the safety of forelsners, British subjects particularly, living in Shans! While being assured by the government and military authorities {that none of the foreigners were taken captive by the Communists hose British officers did want to know the exact number of men, women and children and. if all was, well with them, within the besieged cities.
'A few days after Col. Fraser returned to Peiping, Capt. Scott who remained here for a while until he was, satisfied that the missionaries Were out of immediate danger, arranged with the authorities to deliver was going on outside the city walls, and of being attacked again, feeling they had a. very inadequate force for resisting a strong attack. He commended the good work of the few soldiers, the shop-keepers and the Paowefluan in protecting the city when the Communist attack was made. Fortunately, there was ruftent food in the city for the people hhenee no physical suffering. He also said they were greatly thrilled who {he aeroplane dropped Capt. Scott' letter giving them some little news from outside and they felt much better from that time on. As would Be expected the nervous strain on parents with ttle children in such 2 situation Toft its marks.
Tha Communist situation at the time is not easy to state. Only the chief oMeials actually know what is going on and the reports they give out are published In the papers. But the Communists have moved about from place to place with agility to the amazement and em-Darrassment of the army amicers. Shansi and Shang Chen's troops have done commendable fighting against the Invaders in heavy engagements being better equipped and having the ald of bombing service of the alr
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.