DECREES, that there has been, and still is, quite a Dispatches to hand from Soochow state
panic amongst the gentry nnd literati of that city owing to the Empress-Dowager's decree proscribing the Pao Kuo Hui, or Patriotic Association, and ordering the confiscation of the property of all banded associations together with the arrest and trial of the leaders and members on the charge of high treason. In the early portion of the current year great enthusiasm pervaded all ranks of society in Soochow for the study of Western learning, encouraged by the Emperor's reform decrees, the younger gentry and literati being especially earnest and energetic in their desire to educate themselves xo as to keep up with the practical requirements of the times. To this end and for the sake of convenience of locality, economy, etc., Inrge numbers of zealous. students of all classes banded themselves into associations or clubs for the study of Western learning, engaging of teachers, the purchase of scientific books and instruments, ete., choosing for their clubs such names as "Phe Soochow Association for Study," "Phe Now Learning Association," "The Aid to Study Association," "The Associa tion for Keeping-up with the Times," etc., ete. Everything went on smoothly and great results were anticipated when the fatal 22nd of September arrived, creating confusion and chaos thoughout the Empire. Still, as these associations were merely founded for economy in attaining education it was not suspected for a moment that the members of them would place themselves also under the ban, but telegrams from friends at Peking began to arrive warning all to close their clubs, ete,, go that when the obnoxious
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.