is still unchecked. We hear, but of course the news may not be authoritative, that the Mahommedans of Ili and Hsinchiang have now joined the revolt, and that the Imperial troops are soon likely to be surrounded by the foe flocking in from the west. Doubtless the nature of the country and the distances make the conditions of the campaign difficult, but after all allowances the fact remains that so far the Imperialists have a sorry record. Generally speaking the Mahommedans have shown some of the soul of military honour, and some of the courage of a righteous cause, The Imperialists, on the other hand, though better armed, have been craven and incompetent; the former have esprit de corps that cannot brook defeat, the latter are a heterogeneous mob with the name of soldiers. Not until the present bribery, corruption, and despotism have been ended can the Chinese army attain to anything like patriotism and military honour. Tung Fu-hsiang, Commander-in-Chief, has been ill for some time, and of course it isseid fighting must wait till he recovers! Wei tai (appointed to Shensi) has been recalled.so. we expect him to take up his civil office here soon.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.