By the way a Chinese, who ought to know about such things, intimated to me that these bands were being sent away in the hope that they might have an end put to their doings! I am amazed that we are so long in hearing of the end of the Lincheng affair, but I can only faintly hope that they are "making haste slowly,'' so as to be sure of doing the best thing. I was profoundly impressed with Dr. Sun's appeal to the Powers to acknowledge what is already a fact—nonrecognition of that which does not really exist—the Chinese Government, and the striking agreement of your very able editorial and Sir John Jordan's very clear-cut statement, all in your same issue. I trust that the thoughts in that issue may have a very wide and helpful influence. I, too, think your appeal from President. Wilson's action in refusing to recognize in Mexico what was not a government at all, is a strong one; and what was then in Mexico was certainly not more like a government than the present state of affairs in China. I also hope that the question of gun running will not cease to be hotly agitated till the practice is run out of the country. For my part I think that to lose their lives by the law would be only just for leaders when caught in this nefarious trade, for they are helping unlawfully to take the lives of many innocent people. It seems to me, too, that the fact that by far the greater half of this arms and narcotic smuggling into China is done by the subjects of her nearest neighbour, who is so constant' ly professing her good will and intentions toward China ought to cause great shame and regret to the authorities just acroas the sea! For that Government to see that her subjects do much less of such business might not be a bad. way to give a black eye to the Present serious boycott.
Three foreigners were here last week, said to be two Italians and a Frenchman, who were reported to have bought several thousand ounces of opium. went to the inn where they wera reported staying, but they had gone, and I was not sorry to miss them after hearing the business they were in. They were well armed, I was told.
Later.
Since writing the item about the Liu military officer securing a can for an inspection tour, I have just returned from the auto place and found that he took two cars this a.m. The proprietor of the garage says they are not for soldier inspection at all, but to carry two loads of opium to Huchow over on the Pihan road 400 li from here. Such are the protectors of this great country.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.