To the Editor of the "Nonti-Catya Day New Sin,—In your issue of the 25th inst., there is a startling paragraph, giving what you call Bad News from the River." You say: "We are informed that HE. Chang Chih-tung states that he doubts if he can restrain his troops another ten days." That is an alarming piece of news, and I have been trying to find out whether there is any foundation in fact for it. You will, Tam sure, be ghd to know that I am sincerely convinced that there is not a particle of truth in the reports. I don't believe that the Viceroy hing said anything of the kind. He has given a point-blank denial tothe statement, ant the thing in itself is highly improbable.
The air in Central China is full of all sorts of wild rumours at present. Timid natives come to us every day, and many times in the day, with the strangest stories of what is going to be done, and what going to befall us. Some tell us that Chang Chili-tung is false, and only waiting his opportunity, Some te'l us that he and the Governors are not of one mind, and that he will have to give in sooner or later, and perhaps sooner than later. There are foreigners among us who are only too ready to give credence to tales that tend to shock the nerves and to pass them on without even thinking or inquiring into their truth or falsehood. To them the more alarming the tale the more credible it appears. One of the worst services anyone can render just now is to give publicity to scaring rumours without any known authority for the truth ofthe, This paragraph has disturbed the peace of many of our friends in China, and has already brought us telegrams and letters of a very grave nature. "Many of our friends in the home huds will be pained beyond measure by the news, and we shall soon be receiving disturbing telegrams and letters from them. Icseems to me that the greatest caro should be exercised in sifting the materials sent for publication in these, days, The bare truth is startling enough and painful enough without adding thereto the wild imaginings of frightened men and hysterical women.
So far our Viceroy has proved himself able to keep things quiet at this centre. He weant to do it, and he has succeeded beyond my most sanguine expectations. In two or three distant places there have been serious riots; but they have taken place in direct opposition to his most arnest desires, and he has done everything in his power to prevent the spread of the evil. But for the Viceroy's well known a to keep the peace, and his strenuous efforts to maintain order, this centre would have been in a hot blaze long ere this. 'The madness is here, and it is' the strong arm of Chang Chih-tung that has kept it down up to the present time, Let that arm be withdrawn, and within a week Hupeh will present & scene of persecution, murder, and destruction similar to that which is now witnessed in Chihli, We all owe a debt of deep gratitude to Chang Chih-tung for the peace and safety we hare been enjoying at this contre during this never to be forgotten month.
I write in this way not because I do not think there is danger. In a former letter goodwill of the Viceroy I kava mot. the Isaid that whilst I had strong faith in the
same faith in his subordinates, and that we ought to take nothing for granted, but be prepared to defend ourselves and our interests ey: here and always. That is my opinion Thave no feat so far as the rowdy element by which we are surrounded is concerned. The Viceroy can control that, and will control it unless something springs up to destroy the between the Viceroys reign Powers. In that case it is possible that Chang will master. A current may set i sweep both Viceroys along with force. Any attempt, or_suspi attempt, at partitioning China, would ho enough. And I can conceive of other attempts, of not so grave a nature, bringing on crisis and acatastraphe. I feel sure that both Viceroys, Liu Kun-yi and Chang Chih-tung, would rather die a hundred deaths, than see their country cut up into s0 many fragments. 'These two men are true patriots and will fight to the death, however hopeless the' fight might be for the unity of the Empire. Could we blame them for this? 'This is a point, however, on which the Viceroys need be under no apprehension, and thi being the ease, it is to be hoped that we shall' pass thigh this momentous crisis without war.in this valley. May God grant it.
Tam, ete., Hankow, Sist July,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.