The Governor of Honan remarks that on account of the central position of that province the preservation of order there is of great importance to the whole Empire. On the east the Vorderlitid of Chihli aad Shantung is a perpetital nursery of robbers, on the south-west the Kolao Hui front Shensi and Hupeh are continually stu to gain a footing in the province, while through Honan Fu and Shanchou runs tne rear road between east and west China.
fe recently obtained permission to raise an additional battalion vf foot. This will be retained at Kaifeng Fu, so that it may be thoroughly drilled, and' a battalion of old troops will be despatched thence to Juchou. Also two companies of cavalry will be stationed at Shanchou. There are three battalions belonging to Honan Fu and the three prefectures to the north of the Yellow River, we will be left on the north bank and one stationed at Honan Fu. The General at Nanyang commands three battalions, with which he will preserve order in Nanyang and Juning. He is also ordered to ce-operate with the Hupeh troops which have been sent to suppress brigandage in Hsiangyang Fu and other places on their side of the frontier. The General at Kuei-t'i Fu, who has three battalions there, will take charge of that prefecture and of Ch'en-chow Fu and Hsii-chou. The whole province is thus provided for; and the memorialist trusts that peace and order will be eventually preserved.
24th March,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.