Li Ping-hong, has solicited the privilege of There are reports here that our Governor, retiring from office and going into retirement, for the reason, it is said, that another war is about to begin and he does not wish to again bear such responsibilities as he bore during the war with Japan. Notwithstanding the fact that Governor Li is sai tobe unfriendly to foreigners and to foreign' improvements it would seem a misfortune: to have him retire from office. He seems to be a thoroughly honest man, opposed to all trickery and malfeasance in office, and anxious to do what he can to give Shantung a fairly pure administration. I have written you before in regard to his going' about in disguise to. search out abuses, of his interfering with the prosperity of various branches of trade through his opposition to undue luxury among the officials, and of the measures be took last winter for the more thorough policing of the city. He is now having the suburb wall, which was much injured by the excessive rains of last summer, put in good order. In many. ways he seems to be an excellent official.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.