(8) Chang Yao, the Governor of Shantung, to whom a list of the above charges was forwarded through the Grand Council forwards a detailed reply to the Censor's accusations, As regards the excesses alleged to have been committed at the Shantung Promontory, he refers to his previous report on the Pautah ease to show the exaggerated and groundless nature of theCensor's remarks. He then proceeds to deal with the other charges seriatim. The circumstances connected with the bank robberies are given at length, and the statement that the soldiers were either incriminated in these proceedings or that their production was refused is flatly contradicted. It is equally untrue that the soldiers are inter rested in opium shops. Chefoo is a port of some strategic importance, with a mixed population from all parts, and for many years past opium establishments have existed in the place. The authorities have tried to suppress them by proclamation and otherwise, but their total removal cannot be accomplished all at once. The names of the proprietors are pointed to as proof that the charge against the soldiers is endless, Sun Chin-piao is a most strict iplinarian. His soldiers are issued passes when going on leave, and are only allowed to be absent fora stated time. There is no truth in the statement that they are allowed to roam about of their own free will. Sun Chin-piao and his men have been away from home on service for more than twenty years, and though the General has frequently applied for leave, he has never been able to obtain it. His mother has come to see her son, and his wife has visited her husband, but they have never stopped for any length of time. His soldiers have also received occasional leave to visit their homes, but neither they nor their families have settled down at Chefoo. Li Lien-t@ is an officer of conspicuous energy and bravery. He remained a bachelor till he was forty, and, though the fact of his marriage is true, the story about the m: riage presenta is false. Sun Chin-pino an exemplary General. During his stay at Chefoo he has drilled his troops twice every day, and has held six general reviews every month. This is no mere statement made to shield the General, but is a fact attested by the intimate acquaintance his troops show in the use of arms. He has frequently to go to Chefoo to consult the taotai there on public business, but_his visits are not made as pleasure trips. The attendance of himself and his troops at the village theatrical entertainments has little foundation in fact. The neighbouring gentry, between whom and the troops lent relations are maintained, have repeatedly invited the General to attend the Spring festivals and the Au-
{tumnal thanksgiving meetings, but he has invariably declined their invitation with thanks. A few troops have occasionally been sent to maintain order at j the subsequent theatrical entertainments, but the allegation that the whole camp flocked to such gatherings is quite error neons. The Governor concludes by passing a warm encomium on Sun Chin-piao, hoti in his public and Private capacity, "Asa General he is deeply versed in all the tactics of warfare, and as a man he is of a quiet and simple disposition which has won him the universal esteem of every community in which he has been stationed. Though he was forty before he settled down in a home of his own, still Li {committed an impropriety in marrying a wife in the place where he was quartered, and it is asked that he should be stripped of his rank and be retained at his post. Decree already published.
CASE OF PARRICIDE, March 28th.—(1) The following case reported from Kueichow, Feng Wai hsing, who was a resident in K'ai Chou, had an invalid wife, concubine, and a very unruly son called Feng Man. The latter was constantly in trouble with his father, who threatened time after time to expel him from the house. One day, some three months ago, Feng Man went to the house of a friend named Chao Fu-k'o and related to him all his grievances. He then and there conceived the idea of murdering, both his father and the concubine, an obtained a promise of his friend's assistance jin accomplishing the deed. His own mother, who was ill, slept in a separate room, the other room in the house being occupied by the father and the concubine. Both men armed themselves with bludgeons and proceeded to the house. Entering the room occupied by their victims they groped their way in the dark to the bedside and struck about wildly at the bed without knowing whom or what they were hitting, The mother was awakened by the shouts, and called for a light to see what was the matter, She found her husband and the woman both dead, and took her son to task on the spot, He and his companion admitted the act, but made their escape before they could be arrested. The penalty for parricide is death by the slow and painful process, and the execution is to follow immediately after the trial, as soon asthe formality of requesting the death. warrant is completed, Fong Man has accordingly suffered the full penalty of the law. His companion has been sentenced to strangulation under the law applicable to the case of an accomplice in a case of parricide, PROGRESS OF THE NEPAULESE MISSION, (2) The Governor of Honan reports that the Nepaulese Mission entered his province on the 14th January and left it on the 7th of February, when they were handed over to the care of the Chibli authorities. An officer was specially deputed to meet them on the border and escort them along the first stage of their journey in Honan, The usual preparations for their reception were made by the officers of all the districts through which they passed. The Envoy and his suite made their progress with quiet and comfort, and no hitch occurred in any of the arrangements.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.