The weather has suddenly become very cold, and with the very low temperature ice has formed, but when the present burat is over we may have fine and comparatively warm days yet, perhaps for another week or more, Tt all depends on the wind however. Last night, there was " heavy fall of snow and it certainly looks and feels like winter.
Just as we begin to realise that left without the chance of 1g protection, the most disquieting have reached us. A rising waken of having taken place sume distance from Chin Cha, to the N.W. from here. The town of Ch'ao-yang is reported to be in the hands of the rebels who are marching under the yellow flag. The officer in eoimand at Ch'noyang is said to have been killed. Another report is to the effect that 4,000 Imperialiata were attacked by a well-organised army under the command of famous Llama priest, were defeated, leaving 700 soldiers on the field ded, the remainder having fled. The wave of rebellion is stated to be towards Peking, and we devoutly po it may be so, All such conclusions should be settled at the Celestial Capital, and perhaps when our Ministers are brought face to face with real danger they may feel a little sympathy for an icebuund and unprotected port.
The community petitioned for some means of defence this winter, and it is dificult to understand why not even an answer was vouchsafed. We all know what masterly inactivity our Ministers are noted for, but supreme contempt for the ited without permission.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.