I saw to-day @ fine photograph of the students now in residence in the new military college here. As far as one could nen, and number considerably more than vee they are a fine prom ug lot of young, hundred. The college has six Japanese military instructors, and the head of the college sits with breast covered with modals after the fashion of the West. There can be little doubt that such institutions are considerably, if slowly, influencing Chinese life and thought. It is true, as the editor of the " Young Bhing Times," the most vigorous of the Canton dailies here, asseverated, in three consecutive leaders a few days ago, that the foundation of all improvement and progress ix " foundation of honesty and sterling integrity, yet even the military training received in this college, under conscientious and well-equipped minds will do much to effect this desideratam.
The health of the students and the fitness of each candidate for admission are under the special care of Dr. Swan of the medical hospital here. the Two Kuang.
It is reported here that H.E. at Kueilin, a short time ago, at the execution of famous rebel chief, stepped forward and caught some of the blood and drank it, Whether he wishes to become impregnated with the courage of the robber, or whether it was a feeling of reve that prompted the act, can only be known to those who are in the confidence of His Excellency. The same paper anmounced that he had come back to Wachon and had taken up his temporary residence there. Ho, therefore, sent out invitations to the "Consular Body" and requested the honour of their company to dinner. As the dinner was to be held in foreign style, he had to send down to Canton for the crockery and other requits for the conasion. As, however, representatives of European nations, in Wachou, amount to but one, at present, the freight secured by the shipping companies for cargo need not be large. At the same time, it is rumoured here that BLE. is soon expected back at Canton and as an evidence thereof, two days ago, his two small sons came to the city with a large number of attendants. The well-to-do Chinese here are eagerly looking out for his retarn, for they say that he has been away quite long enough, Chinese feelings are essentially olannish.
The Activities of Robbers and Freebooting Soldiers in Kuangsi.
The special correspondent of the "Young Shing Times" writes from Nanning about the state of affairs, and if reports are to be trasted, there is really little if any improvement in the condition of thing up there. Indeed, if anything, there appears to be a change for the worse in one regard The soldiers are robbing the people in addition to the recognised robbers, At any rate, in one case mentioned, some soldiers looted " shop at Nanning, and when the owner of the looted shop sought redress from th military authorities he found that non could be got. He then took his case to the civil authorities and was told could be done, for officials were afraid of the jealousy of their equals and feared the anger of their superiors, and the thing was allo lide. If this represents the condi. tion of affairs, it certainly is not surprieing that the masses of the people are willing that any change may take place in the vague hope that any shuffle will give them something better than that they now groan under.
Four Soluiers Beheaded, The reference above suggests a reference to what transpired here in Canton a few days ago. A gentleman from Hongkong—Chinese—came to Canton to visit his relatives in his native village. Just xt that time there were ramours of robbers and some soldiers were sent to look into the case, and, to finish up their day's work, they attacked the vi where this gentleman wes was carried off, charged with robber, and some others with him, and in addition be was robbed to the extent of about two hundred dollars. When it was found that he was from Hongkong, it may be assumed that the minor officials were afraid and they caused an examination to be made into the affair, which revealed the real circumstances of the case. Some pawn tickets of his property were found on some of the soldiers, and this was regarded as proof that they had really robbed the man as was stated. Fear of consequences therefore made the mandarins virtuous, and 40 the soldiers, who were found with the tickets on them, were doomed to the loss of their heads. If, however, sach robberies possibilities here in the centre of activities, where the officials are supposed to be able to keep their men in check, what rage! may be done with immunity in those faraway places can easily be conceived. Proposed Increased Duty on Native Opiam.
It has been proposed here by the local officials to increase the duty on. native opium. The sum suggested is about 13 cents on each tael. There is this difficulty, however. At present the vogue of the native drug results from the fact that it is cheaper than Indian opium. This increase') tax, however, will lessen the difference between the two, and the officials fear, that, where the difference is so little, the smokers will turn to the foreign and imported article, and therefore they will got no larger revenue than before. Indeed they may set less, and in addition, there will be the fact that silver will go out of the country to purchase the needed supplies. There is therefore " hesitation.
The Gambling Dens.
Asis well known, at timos the mandarins are very virtuous in regard to their attitude towards gambling. At other times, and unfortunately these latter timos are the more frequent, they allow a largo number of these dens to carry on their work, A few days ago, some influential Chinese merchants here petitioned the officials to olaso down all the dens in Canton for the last ten nights and days of the old year. They say, that at that time, clerks and othore will be abroad ery where collecting the moneys of their in the sence of all these dens will prove too great 'a temptation to many and money will be squandered and trouble will ensue. The native Press is backing up the applicants.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.