Chang Chih-tung recently represented the expediency of strengthening the military establishment at Ch'aochoufn and rendering it capable of repressing the law-ess which prevails in the district. With this object in view he intimated his intention of raising a regiment, the command of which was to be vested in the Prefect of the place. The Board of War having been asked for its views on the subject, O-lo-ho-pu and his colle protest strongly against the adoption of the Viceroy's proposal; on the ground that it will entail needless expenditure at a time when retrenchments are being uiade in the army, and that the military force at present stationed at Ch'aochou is, if properly drilled and equipped, quite sufficient for all the duties which it is likely to be called upon to perform.—Decree rejecting the iceroy's suggestion already published.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.