The approaching departure of our Viceroy and what it may mean to the province is just now the main topic of conversation. The Fantai who acts as Viceroy until the new man comes, is a man above seventy [years old and is neither progressive nor [energetic. The newly appointed Vicer is said to he Hsi, a bannerman, and an active sympathise with the Boxer outrages of 1900. All the best citizens look forward with anxiety to. the outcome. From May to October is the period of disturbances, and for this time we will either have a weak Acting Viceroy [ora recent arrival in the Province who is suspected of favouring Boxerism. Asido from the character of the new Viceroy, it is deplorable that Viceroy Tsen should' be reinered before he kad a fair chance to test the policy of progress. Plans for developing the province were being mature ed and all were looking forward to a more happy and prosperous time. The gentry and merchants are circulating a petition that Tsen be allowed to remain at least two years longer, but this is of no nse except as ati monial of appreciation of the man and work.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.