CHINA'S BEARDED SORCERESS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1984, 16 April 1906, Page 7

CHINA'S BEARDED SORCERESS.

I SHE IS STIRRING UP THE NAj TIVES OF KWANGTUNG, AND MAY BE A MAN. ! It is reported that in the eastern part of the province of Kvvangtung . there is a considerable movement on I foot which in some respects resembles the Boxer outbreak of 1900. ■ The leader of this restlessness is said to lie a bearded woman. She has Deen urging the people to form themselves into a guild or association. She gives out that she is an incarnation of a fairy who has come down to teach the people the arts of magic. [Hiring the spring large numbers of people have been moved to follow her l-'ad. She gives out that by sorcery and mai-ir sb- run ' cast out fox devils—in which the ! Chinese are profound believers —can I foretell events distinctly, and au- \ nounce what happiness or misery j shall befall the lot of others. j By the same "mighty magic," ! moreover, like the leaders 01 the ; Dover insurrection, she promises immunity tf> all her sincere followers from bullet of rifle and thrust of I spear, as well as from the effects of j water and fire. The people are said Ito he deeply moved. Wealth is pouring into the coffers of the leaders, so ; that they have provided themselves 'with weapons, and are now being joined by large numbers of local ; banditti, of whom, in evei'y place in j China, there are more than enough. ! They have already assumed the of'fen--1 five and have looted some rice stores j and other shops. What their ultimate purpose is : does not yet appeal', but they are laying in stores of provisions, and have so far terrorized their neighbours that many of the well-to-do of the people are fleeing for their lives and seeking safety in quieter districts. It is reported that already they can muster more than 10,000.