The provincial authorities of Fukien, it is reported, have negotiated a loan for 16 years at Gh per cent interest. of $1,500,000 from the Japanese Bank of Taiwan, at Smoy. The Viceroy and Treasurer both append their seals to the contract, and the money is to be paid to the Chinese authorities on the Ist of January, 1902.
Sir Robert Hart's Title of brevet Junior Guardian of the Heir-Apparent, is said by the Ka'iféng corres-pendent of the Univers! Gazette" to have been due to the strong recommendations of Chang Yen-mao, Secretary of Prince Chun, in gratitude to Sir Robert for saving him (Chang) from extreme peril during the siege of Tientsin, when the latter was arrested and in danger of being condemned by the Allies as a spy in secret \communication with the Boxers and Chinese troops surrounding that port.
The Successor of the Late Li Hung-chang, as Chinese Peace Plenipotentiary at Peking, H.E. the Grand Secretary Wang 28th December.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.