DISTURBANCES IN CHINA.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 588, 22 March 1851, Page 4

DISTURBANCES IN CHINA.

[From the Singapore Free Press."]

Reports of the outrages committed by banditti within 120 miles of the city of Canton, tne capture of district towns, and success against the government forces sent to subdue them continue to arrive daily. It is beyond a doubt that the chief authorities view their

movements with no small alarm, and are preparing in every possible way to protect the city from their violence. As regards the origin of the present outbreak : It will be remembered that in April, 1849, large bodies of mililia were in training, as was believed to oppose any attempt on the part of foreigners to enter the city. This may have been the chief object of their organization ; but the authorities averred that they were raised to defend the city against large numbers of lawless persons then in arms in the provinces, and some of the proclamations assigned this as a motive for calling on the people to subscribe funds to maintain a militia. The Pekin Gazette of the above period records the defeat and capture of 552. The common belief is, that the band so formidable is composed of natives of all their provinces. They were active in the summer months in the south of Kwang-si, and either stormed or held to ransom two district cities, if not more, in its south-west territory, which adjoins so to speak, Kwang-tnng. They are said to have dashed northwards within the limits of the former province, until they reached its easternmost department, whence, after sacking the district town of Ho, they appear to have passed into the district of Ying-teh, and then into that of Tsing-yuen, the city of which is but 150 miles from Canton, and only separated by two districts from those on the common border of which the city itself is situated. A note received this morning (28th) states that on the 4th instant a party of them sacked Kinebau, a district town in Lien-cbau, the West Department of Kwang-tung, the chief city which was still in a state of siege. The place in question is not far from the borders of Kwang-si and Tonquin. Accounts agree in stating that the government troops have been frequently beaten during the last two months; that reinforcements are being sent out without intermission ; that Shaping-tsai and another ex-pirate, who had been captured and held to ransom by the insurgents and a large body of reclaimed pirates who had accompanied them were cut to pieces or dispersed ; that an expectant prefect, a civilian of some importance, had fallen into their hands, the men under his command, who were from the east of the province, and a most disturbed region, having deserted in large numbers to the enemy ; and that the gentry and people had responded to the invitation of the government to arm themselves for the protection of the city. Rewards have been offered for the apprehension of suspicious characters ; and all amusements, processions, &c., calculated to attract a crowd of people, forbidden. Sand and stones are said to be piled up inside the gates, which would be thus rendered defencible, when, closed, if an alarm were given ; and water vats have been filled near public buildings, in case any attempt should be made to fire the city.