of interest im the political world is the oval of HE. Hu Yii-fon from the Director generalship of the Northen Ralways and the substitution of H.E. Hsii Chlngebeng. When we recollect that only last. aly jo acting Russian Minister infand Director-General Hu, that. Hu should sisted in an interview with Li Hung-chan
remain permanently in charge of the Northern Railways, as one of three conditions upon which Russia would withdraw her opposition to the contemplated loan from the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, we cannot but be surprised at his removal. Rumours as to. the cause for isis removal are plenty. Chang You-mao or Chang Yi, by which name he is also known, has undoubtedly accused him of appropriation or minute of goverament fands. Two censors (one named Sua of Anhui) were the vehicles of information to the Throne. This is asmuch as BLE, Hu himself knows, but I was informed to-day by one of the Princes that a leading eunuch also had a good deal tosay against Hu, having evidently been bribed for that purpose, At any rate, removed he is and removed he is likely to stay, in spite of the efforts being made to reinstate him by the British Minister. For the Tsungli Yamen will not even discuss the matter with Sir Claude Macdonald, I saw HE. Hu last night who informed me that Prince Ching, Wang Wen-shao, and Chao Shu-chiao were investigating his accounts, having been appointed for that purpose by the Empress.
hey will find them all right," replied the old gentleman confidently, "but they will not be able to keep me in office airist a man who buys influence," he ided. He seems very much depressed and desires to give up the work of paving and macadamising Legation Street also into the hands of Hai Ching-cheng, and retiring to his home in Anhui. Rumours are also current that if his accounts show the shortage claimed by Chang, he may be sent into exile after Chang Yin-huan. We trust no such fate is in store for him. The foreign community generally sympathise with him and hope he may come out of the investigation cleared of any imputation of dishonesty. One cannot but suspect that this change is due to Russian influence.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.