In a few days the Ministers who have already presented their credentials will have their audience. namely, the Austrian and United States Ministers. With them will be presented the four men acting as Charges d'Affaires for Spain, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands. A few days later the ladies of the Legations will have "tea" with both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor and the Empress, That will be the really interesting occasion, We understand that the officials, Ho ing and others, who were dismissed from office and deprived of rank for life, have received their just deserts through the demands of Sir Ernest Satow. He alone of all the Ministers has kept in mind the names of the guilty which failed to be included in the original Black List. The Rai.way, He also has objected to the appointment of Viceroy Yuan Shih-kral as Chief Director of the Peking-Newchwang railway. Sir Ernest wants Hu Yii-fen, Assistant Director, to be made Chief Director and so to be wholly responsible for the management of the railway and secure the interests of the Britishers who have loaned money to build the road. This action may be wise, for a nominal ike Yuan Shih-kai, tends to minimise the even when held by a capable man responsibility of the man who is recognised as doing the work.
Business in Peking is improving rapidly. The return of the Court and the arrival of many officials have made a demand for supplies and luxuries. House rent has gone up. All prices have increased, except of such things as belong to the local market. The expense of having goods transferred from the south, especially on the railway under British military control, is felt by many.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.