Wanhsien

The city of Wanhsien, some 1,200 miles up the Yangtze river from Shanghai, became suddenly last week of world importance as Chinese mercenaries battled there with two tiny British river warships.

To break this deadlock, intolerable to British amour propre, H. M. S. Cockchafer and H. M. S. Wigdeon, both river warships of the highest armament, steamed close to shore, drew the fire of the land batteries and shelled the city of Wanhsien.

The Kiawo steamed under the lea of the Wanhsien and effected a rescue of all Occidentals on board after a hand to hand fight with the Chinese.

The British ships then withdrew out of range of the shore artillery and bombarded Wanhsien, a city of 150,000 population, until fires broke out in every quarter and completed the destruction.

Accounting Pan American Airways' auditing department received a bill from the constabulary of Wanhsien, China, which, translated, read: "Board bill for one rescued soul, $3.18, Mexican."