We learn from a reliable source that confidential telegrams have been received by several high mandarins here from Heian to the effect that it has been decided in Geand Council that the Court leaves Hsian about tire middle of April next for the city of Hsiangyang, in Hupeh province, where the Court will remain awaiting the with-Arawal of the Allied forces from Peking. Upon the accomplishment of this move, the Court will return to the Capital without any further delay. The temporary removal of the Court to the South is not intended as a defiance of the demands of the Allied Powers, nor does it refuse to return to Peking; but the Court has been compelled to decide to go to Hsiangyang as a trotest against the intention of the Allied Powers to construct powerful fortifications around that part of the capital encroached upon by them for the various Legations and to place strong garrisons therein, thereby becoming a constant menace in future to the peace and safety of those residing inside the Forbidden City."
Note:—Hsiangyang is a strongly defended prefectural city at the head of the Han River lying to the north-west of Hankow. Through Hsiangyang passes the great highway between the southern and central provinces of China and the northwestern provinces of Shensi and Kansu. The city walls of Hsiangyang are very high—the highest in China: in size it is about half as large again as Soochow, and it is about 400 li, as the crow flies, northwest of Wuchang, the capital of Hupeh. Hsiangyang is avent 2,500 years old, and is considered the key to north-western China by sway of the central provinces
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.