In the hilly country to the north and north-west of here, the Catholic converts are still suffering persecution, The law-brool men who belonged to the nyanisation, bat were pardoned by the officials. The Provincial Treasurer, Chou Fu, has even given buttons and appointments to several Boxer chiefs. Stall, under Viceroy Yuan Shih-kai there many be expected more severe treatment of all lawlessness, whatever the name.
The Restoration of Friendliness.
The Foreign Ministers are beginning to cultivate friendly relations with the Chinese ofticia's. The United States Ministe a week ago, on Christmas Eve, hud a com: pany te dinn sting of ex-Governor ister to England Chang yi, the two Vice-Presidents of the For-cig: Ottice, WaT-ungand Lien Fan andthe Tseng Kuang-lien. The same gentlemen were invited the next day to adinner at the Japanese Legation. The officials have expressed their pleasure at the cordial way they were received, and at the sumptuous repast provided. It is fitting that, these two Legations should take the initiative in resuming social intercourse, as they represent a friendly attitude towards the Chinese.
The Alleged Repayment, The report from Reuter concerning the action of the United States Congress on indemnity is not credited at the American Legation. It isnot thought that $18,000,000 will be given back to China after all the Powers have agreed on the amount for China to pay. It may be possible that the claims of private individuals and societies will be met only by the Chinese bonds, and will not be paid from money advanced by the United States Government. This seems to be the position taken by the French Government, as reported in the home papers.
Cold.
We have had during the last few days the coldest weather that Peking has known for many years. The thermometer has gone down'to a few degrees below zero, The Roads in the city these cold days are really very sino th. Owing to the approach of the Court, many streets have been carefully repaired. The main trouble is on Legation Street, where water which is sprinkled sven freezes and leaves the street slippery. One of the best streets leads from the West Gate of the Imperial city tu the west entrance of the Palace grounds. The street is smooth, being kept free of all traffic. On each side is a row of trees, and a brick drain. Lamp posts are erected every fow feet. All this improvement came during the French administration, aided by the North Cathedral people. The road from the south city gate to the railway station at Machiapu has been in readiness for some weeks. The road covered with yellow sand to avait the ecupant of the Yellow Throne.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.