OUTRAGE IN CHINA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2884, 30 June 1909, Page 80

OUTRAGE IN CHINA.

; DRAMATIC FIGHT WITH 200 TRIBESMEN. . The ' N,orddeutscher Lloyd Eastern steamer Manila, which arrived at Sydney a few days ago from Hongkong, brought the Jiews tfliat ' :the Rev. Mr Ferguson, of the Britsh and Foreign Bible Society stationed .at Chentu, in China, has returned from the Lolo country, after having successfully negotiated for the .recovery of the body of Mr Brooks, who was murd-sred there threemonths previously. Mir Brooks, who,, with a friend, Mr Myers, >ad heen travelling through the

pwvinc© for some time exploring the" old caves which abound there, left 2fing-yuan-fu unaccompanied by any foreigners, leaving word - that he would probably return in a few days. The Lolo country . is not far from Kiatine, in the Szechuan province, and Mr Brooks first visited " somo of the 'bonder tribes v Finding "them friendly he w-as induced to try to make his way across the country, a feat which *it is doubtful if any foreigner has yet accomplished. ~ By gifts of mon-sy he secured guarantees of "safe passage, and was Jia«ded on from tribe- to "tribe. He succe©d>ed in making -.his way almost- access the" country, having passed through some 10 or ~12 tribes, when the guide supplied by the last tribe' he' had visited 'suddenly deserted him., - Mr r Brooks i-bad- no official" escort' with him, for be had. gone without the knowledge of the Chinese officials, but had in < his employ seven Chinese, one of whom aioted as interpreter. Thus deserted they travelled on as best they could until they fell in with some t.ri'bespeopie^ who,.£nding strangers" in the heart i of tlieir, country, were' naturally some- ■ what "suspicious and hostile. ""- Explanations were- given and money offered for, a safe' escort to th>s next tribe. ! Mr Brooks, -perhaps not satisfied . with - his interpreter's efforts, took the Lolo leadpr by the arm and tried by gesticulations »to make plain lids m sailing. -' , Til© Lolo native, 'however, suddenly drew his sword, and aimed such a "blow at Mr "Brooks's head as wouJd have proved fatal had it hit him as intended. By a quick movement Mr Brooks escaped the force of the blow receiving it on the arm' instead of the head. .Thinking, as was in -a.l-1 probability the ca&e, thathis life was in immediate danger, h^ d«rvv Ijis revolver and shot the man. * - * Then, firing several shots into the air, he called, upon his\ men to run, arid they escaped across a river to another tribs. Here they exnlained their position, and Mr Brobks promised a large reward for a cafe escort out of the country.' _^ They were assured that the tribe they had just' left were bitter enemies, . and would not dare to cross the rivev. However, before the Lolos would consent to escort them but of the country they demanded that Mr Brooks give up his firearm. » This he at - last consented 1 - to do. No sooner had thsv --received the weapon than they raised their war "cry. The other tribe rash-ad across the river, j for 'the two tribes were friends, net- ! enemies. . Surrounded by about 200 enraged tribesmen the?re was no hope for -the little company. In a few moments aH was over. Marvellous to say, from •under the pije-of stoce that was h.3ap£d* upon them there " -.rawled, some, hours later, two of the Chinese. These, beaten and wounded, were caotured and sold as slaves, but were subsequently redeemed, and supplied Mr Ferguson with the true account of th-2 outrage. The Chinese officials ?>re much opposed to foreigners enteiin" the Lc!o country — in fact, they praetieallv prohibit such visits. It ts only by avoiding the officials that a stranger is ab's to reach that pa.rt of China.