Yungchow, Feb. 19. The rebellion in the West is now affecting these parts. All the northern troops left for down river or Changsha some days ago, and yesterday it is said about 800 local troops also started. These latter are men who have been soldiers for some time. To replace these men, recruiting is going on briskly and now nearly 500 have been enrolled. Hoy. far the surrounding district has been depleted of troops I do nut know. So far no reports of any local trouble have come in. The news from Kuangsi also was peaceable up to letters received yesterday, On the other hand the doings of the Republicans on the Kueichow-Hunan border making a great stir.
There has been a good deal of recently, and to-day about an inch has fallen, so the river is certain to rise considerably. This will improve river traffic which has been much hindered by low water. The authorities are commandeering all the boats they can lay their hands on for the transport of troops and supplies. As practically no pay is given to the boat-men beyond their rice, it is easy to understand that this practice is not popular, with the result that boats sneak off and hide in creeks and side streams.
The city schools are opening. The solitary girls' school is said to have had three attempts at ope but failed, as no girls came. Girls' education has not caught on here yet, but it is interesting to note that the Church Mission small girls' school has more girls than ever. the reason given being that the girls are not compelled to join in street process sions on great days.—From Our Own Correspondent.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.