Underneath all this outward appearance of normality, however, ther foreign missionaries, nor towards religious bodies of any sect, The provincial authorities have also taken great pains to assure the foreign community in Sian and the outlying hsien districts that they will do (everything in their power to protect us. Unless fighting breaks out there is no immediate cause for alarm, 'Captain Scott of the British Lega-lon is in Sian negotiating with the authorities for' the evacuation of foreign women and children, and as many of the men who ought to go. So far his efforts have not met with much success owing to the dimieulty of arranging transport, Tt appears that Nanking is unwilling to risk planes in case they should be commandeered, and the eamne applies to motor transport—both re willing to take the risk." The trains only run to Welnan on this side, and we do not know the limit on the other side, nor how wide an extent Ro-man's land 1s suppostd to. be. Until safe guarantees are forthcoming from both sides it would be foolish to make the attempt to cross' the lines. of Government troops are entrenched between Tungkwan and Welnan, and these are opposed by equally strong forces on this side of Woman, Both sides appear to be walting for the word to go. It that word fe given then there will be Bloody fighting, and Sian will undergo all. the horrors war, It speaks well for the phlegm-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.