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Manchuria.
The task of suppressing brigandage in the cereal-producing areas round Harbin has been taken seriously in hand by the Chinese authorities, in response to repre. sentations from the British and Japanese consular officers. Chinese official reports claim the destruction of 929 brigands by fighting and execution. The same reports contain circumstantial accounts of the manner in which the most notorious of the Hunghutzu was first induced to bring his gang to the aid of the military in exterminating his former associates, and then, after the successful termination of the operations, invited! to receive commendation from the commanders of the expedition, overpowered and hacked to pieces with his following. It is hoped that by this means an effective blow has been dealt against lawless activities in that neighbourhood.
Kiangsu and Anhui,
The border between Kiangsu and Anhui has been conspicuous for brigandage, which here, as elsewhere, has been increased by the distress caused by the drought. Chu-chou, on the railway, 25 miles from the terminus, attained such notoriety early in the year that the Governor despatched some thousand troops thither. Their presence had a salutary effect locally, but transferred the scene of trouble to another district. This led to the moving of the military from the Chu-chou district, where troubles at once recommenced, culminating in a serious disturbance on the 11th March, arising out of the activities of the secret societies. The principal secret society in the Lower Yang-tsze valley is the Nine Dragon Hill Society, which seems to be moved by a general spirit of discontent, rather than by any definite programme of reform, though it is also alleged to be anti-foreign. Many soldiers are said to be implicated in the movement. The authorities both of Kiangsu and of Anhui have been most energetic in seeking out and decapitating members of this society. The Nine Dragon Hill and Sea Dragon Societies have branches at Chinkiang, Wuhu, and most of the ports of the Lower Yang-tsze. The membership is chiefly composed of salt smugglers. disbanded soldiers, and railway coolies, and it was these who were responsible for the outbreak in Chu-chou. Some officers stationed there were also implicated. The troops at Chu-chou were reinforced on the 12th March, and had no difficulty in driving away the looters, who fled across the border into Kiangsu, since when matters seem to have quieted down. The district magistrates in North Kiangsu have been provided, provisionally, with power to hold Courts un ler military law for the trial of serious cases; and to report the proceedings direct to the Tutu, who may order these cases to be dealt with as within the scope of military law.
The well-to-do classes at Chinkiang, disgusted with the mismanagement of the Government schools, are turning in large numbers to the missionary institutions. In fact, His Majesty's consul notes an increasing tendency on the part of the Chinese in that district to seek foreign aid and support in all important matters. In time of famine the people there have learnt to expect foreign contributions and gratuitous assistance from foreign missionaries. The conservancy of the Grand Canal is a matter of supreme importance to Chinkiang and Yangchow, and the matter is being seriously discussed; but proposals for a loan from the chambers of commerce of the principal towns interested find but feeble support, while the idea of a foreign loan is generally accepted as the only solution. The security for such a foreign loan would be the taxes on merchandise (" huewushui"), which are to replace the old li-kin. This new scheme is to abolish all taxation on goods in transit, and replace it by production and destination (or consumption) taxes, and it is now in full working order, at any rate in the area round Chinkiang.
Kiangsi.
The chief interest of the past quarter in the province of Kiangsi, centres round the conflict between the provincial and central Governments. In January, owing to the independent attitude adopted by the Tutu Li Lieb-chün, the president ordered the detention of 7,000 rifles and about 3,000,000 rounds of ammunition which had been landed in Kiukiang, having been ordered some time ago by the former Tutu of Kiangsi, Li Tutu was not willing to submit to such a rebuff and moved troops forward from Nanchang towards Kiukiang, where General Ko was prepared to throw in his lot on the side of the Central Government. Li Tatu, on General Ko proving obdurate, appointed Ou-yeng Wu to supersede him and took further military measures with a
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