It is reported in [coal mandarin circles that the Russian Consul here wrote the other day to the Shanghai 'Thotai, His Honour Yuan Shu-hsun, protesting against the export from i to, Japan of beans, wheat, flaxseed, cabbages, and such edibles, on' the 1d that this is aiding the enemies of Russia and he therefore requested Yuan Taotai to take steps to stop the jon, Yuan Taotai, on the other hand, finds himself unable to accede to the Russian Consal's request, as the edibles complained of are not mentioned in the list of contraband of war published by the Russian Government at the commencement of hostilities. Furthermore there is a difference in that the edibles complained of are being exported merely to Japan as merchandise and not to the scene of hostilities between the belligerent armies, Neutral countries, moreover, are allowed by international law to trade with both belli and the matter under protest comes under this last provision. In the meantime, it is stated that Yuan Tootal has reported the facts of the case to the Central Government at Peking, asking for instructions.
Proposed People's Loan in Canton.
A Canton letter states that owing to the emptiness of the provincial exchequer of Kuangtung, a number of innovations which Viceroy Tsen is anxious to start in Canton, principally for the benefit of the inhabitants of that city themselves, cannot be started. His Excellency is therefore considering the floating of a People's Loan Fund in Canton at the rate of 81's per cent'per annum, the bonds to be for Tls. 100 each. The loan is for ten years guaranteed by the revenues obtained by the provincial Government from the Fantan, Weising and other lotteries and gambling institutions licensed by the State in Kuangtung province. To further gain the confidence of investors the Commissioner of Customs at Canton will be asked to manage the flotation of the loan, and
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.