The motive underlying their visit to the Mekong Valley villages is not generally known, but was possibly that of revenge for former wrongs which may have been perpetrated earlier by certain of the Jong and other villagers. It seems evident that some homes were purposely sited and burned, while others were intentionally spared.
And now and ever since that pillaging expedition, rumours. are constantly being circulated, by those who enjoy amusing themselves by alarming their gullible neighbours. of approaching large bands of robbers. Usually such reports have no foundation in fact at all, and when robbers are actually out at all, there are usually but a few of them. The numbers are always exaggerated and multiplied several or many times. Apparently the newsmongers have no desire at all to adhere to or even Special Red Cross emergency service is being efficiently maintained by tthe Chinese and foreign Christian leaders in close ce-operation with local health officials. Cases of a serious nature are admitted ito the mission hospitals as soon as they arrive end are given first-aid attention by the missionary doctors.
Though crippled by lack of funds from which they could draw to support the work, they have nevertheless made use of every available means to improve the existing conditions of the hospitals and fo make accommodation as sufficient and as comfortable as possible. Other cases which demand higher surgical attention and treatment are being sent to Nanchang immediately, where hospitals are better equipped.
Medicine is urgently needed by all the hospitals and contributions are therefore specially welcomed. In the meantime, churches occasionally receive donations from Home headquarters or, sometimes, set aside a special fund for carrying on this relief. work.
Following the example of their sisters in other cities, the educated women and school girls are organiz~ ing themselves in an effort for funds which are needed to aid the wounded soldiers with such necessities as cotton-padded clothes, bedding and blankets against the approach of wintry weather and to help the hospitals with a fresh supply of pillows blankets and bandages.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.