Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-25
AMERICANS ATTACKED
BY CHINESE ROBBERS.

NEW YORK, February 24.-An interest
ing story of q robber raid in China has
come here from the Rev. c. E. Patton, a
Presbyterian missionary stationed at Can
ton. The incident occurred during a mis-
sionary trip In the country, and is told by
Mr.. Patton as follows
I've were just going ashore at Shut Tung
when we had the first intimation of trouble.
Out in midstream lay cluster OF boats,
filled with men, women and children and a
motley collection of household goods. Our
boatmen exctedly told us of the raid. The
poor folks peopIed the ramshackle huts you
see perched high on poles over the water
edge. Poorest of the pOverty-stricken, they
were so panic struck that they were moving
all their scahty possessions out TO escape
the dreaded raid of the soldiers, when they
should follow in the wake of the robber
band.
although still mid-aftenoon. the streets
were all but deserted. Business was sus-
pended. The usual litter of street booths
had disappeared Few were the pedes-
TRANS even. There was subdued awe as
when some great local calamity befalls a
home town. Only the holder spirits dared
appear, others fearing a return of the raid
ers who had left such wake of terror be-
hind them The raid began on the morn
ing of the day before, just at breakfast
time Preceded by the booming OF guns
and the blare of trumpets, the raiders came
through the main street three to four hum
bred strong. Evidently a fairly organized
band the leader was borne In a sedan
chair while two subordinate officers rode
horseback-in this country mark either of
wealth or power. A number of coolies car
RED loads evidently the plumber OF previous
raids They seized only money or such
things of gold or silver as could readily be
converted into IT.
1.-The door of the drug shop of the elder
of our church was several times attacked,
but eventually passed by with the remark
that there was probably nothing of value
within. Several of the church members lost
property one to the extent OF $40. One
member was killed by shot fired through
the door of his shop. In all fourteen men
were killed and four wounded. in some
cases by random bullets. We We're shown
through the Yamen, where the official S
boxes were ransacked while he lay low
within.
1.-THE elder related how he and others of
influence went out and saved the official
1t seems that after the disappearance of
the raiders the official had mustered the ten
soldiers under his care and had sailed
bravely forth TO oYertake and annthilate
the raiders several hundred strong. The
others saved him by following and per-
suading him to return to the city. The Of
fetal seems an earnest man, DESTROYS to
do his duty, yet he is in danger. With but
the paltry half-score of soldiers allowed
him he is held responsible for anything that
NAV happen within his jurisdiction. The
powers that be allow about 200 soldiers for
a dozen points scattered over 5000 square
miles of lawiess territory, yet hold the
petty officials responsible. Just how many
men were In this raid on Shut Tung can
scarce be said. Making due allowance for
fright and Chinese exaggeration, there
must have been several hundred. Current
rumor says three or four hundred marched
through the city.
"A sequel to the raid was learned on
later visit to Shut Tung. The official
showed US an order from his superior call
ing upon him to close twenty of the leading
shops and to bring the owners and employees