That Kwangsi's future troubles may not all He outside of the province and that she cannot place 100 much confidence in the help ste will re-calve from her village soldiers or {from those who are now being foreeably called to the colours is becoming evident. A deep-seated dislike to the conscription programme now being carried cut by the provincial] government is, being shown by country people.
It Is reliably reported that recently in a country village where conseriplon was being put into force that several men who had been chosen to join the ranks, but who objected carry arms, absented themselves from their village homes. With the object to force them te come forth the aged father of one of the men and other younger relatives were taken as Hostages. This stirred up rear deal of resentment. throughout the village which resulted in a braw! in which the village elder who had taken part In tke conscription ai two of his assistants were killed.
Fearing reprisals the entire malo population deserted the village and fed to the hill where they are now In hiding ready to resist with armed force should troops be sent agains! them. Similar though less serious incidents, are reported from other! districts and it Is quietly rumoured that should the militia. be ordered the front refusal to obey orders Ig quite within the range of pos sibility and that if the present discontent continues the people may be @riven to desperation and _robbe: {bands may become as numerous as they were sonic years ago.
Because of the tense situation exist ing in Hunan, British missionaries! of the Church Missionary Society have been ordered out of Yungchow and with children are now making their way to Kweilin in the province of Kwangsi,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.