"Dividing the melon" has come to its own again as a topic for tea house talk. Meetings of all the powers have been held in London and in Paris" and Chins is again "to be divided."
As usual the newspapers are making the most of the theme. In Government circles it is considered a good rallying ery to counteract the endless cliques and factions which seem to be developing. Out in the country districts it is especially welcomed as an excuse for scores of sharks to go about squeesing strings of cash from small farmers and tradesmen, to purchase arms, of course, with which to meet the invaders. Recent treaty terms between Russia and Japan add to all this and the fire is burning bravely.
The news just to hand that Britein has sent in a memorandum regarding Tibet will further fan the flames. Already England has been freely anathematized for her supposed aggressions at Pienms. That et) she now will demand hands off Tibet, and the retarn of the expedition which has gone forth under the Tutuh, may be the kerosene for real explosion. It will certainly not be oil on troubled waters.
Quite in contrast to the agitation in the air, was an entente cordiale on @ small scale at the Y.M.O.A. yesterday. Members of the various missions and consulates there came together with the officers of the various departments of the present Provincial Government and members of the Provincial Assembly. Av the custom with the Y.M.C.A. the reception was carried out on erous scale. sequently beheaded him.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.