Qn Monday a good deal of speculation and excitement were caused by sudden activity on the part of the naval and mi tary authorities. Orders were given for a descent simultaneously upon Kowloon city with the intention of terminating the Chinese occupation of that place and an advance in force on Samchun. This was done under orders from home and the greatest secrecy was observed with 2 view to take the Chinese by surprise, prevent any armed resistance and thus obviate needless bloodshed, The step was taken sooner than might otherwise have happened, in consequence of rumours to the effect that Chinese were massing on the frontier, with the intention of making a new raid on British territory. Anyhow, the greatest activity was displayed on Monday, and the preparitions were made with such vigour that on Tuesday morning everything was ready for carrying out the plan of campaign. This proved brief, bloodless and satisfactory, all the objects of the different expeditions being effected without the loss of a single life, or any attempt at armed resistance, The force shown was sufficient to convince the Chinese of the hopelessness of offering opposition; indeed, at-Samchun they rather welcomed the advent of the foreigner. Possibly they feared the establishment of a rival town in the vicinity which would have impaired their trade. However that may be, they decided on this occasion that discretion would be the better part of valour, and welcomed the invasion instead of opposing it.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.