A fire of some dimension broke out at No. 18, Lachin Road, formerly called Kiumouti, inside the North Gate, shortly after 6 a.m, on February 18. The premises at which the fire originated were occupied by a tobacco and general goods shop, an assistant of which carelessly set a can full of kerosine ablaze when burning sdme joss paper to pro-vitiate the God of Wealth, has been the custom of the Chinese to do on the 5th day of the China New Year. The fire spread to the neighbouring shops on the right and left as well as on the opposite row, with the result that Nos. 19, 20, and 31 on the right, Nos, 14, 15, 16 and 17 on the left, and Nos. 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171 and 172 were either wholly or partially destroyed. The French Fire Brigade rendered assistance in extinguishing the conflagration, owing to the proximity of that locality to the Concession. The fire was brought under control after a strenuous fight by the Chinese and French firemen.
Patriotic Soldiers, The other day, the soldiers belonging to the Ist, 2nd and 3rd ying of the 13th Regiment of the 7th Brigade waited upon their respec tive commanders, offering to sacrifice their lives by fighting the enemy of their country. They declared that since they were soldiers, it was their duty to protect the people and defend the country to death. They could not remain passive in view of the effrontery and aggressiveness shown towards the Republic by a certain Power. They believed that no person who had blood and breath could submit to such unprovoked insult with equanimity. They felt the sting most painfully and they wanted to challenge the nation to a deadly struggle in order to preserve the honour of the Chinese. They prayed that their commanders would at once persuade the Brigade-General to request the Military Governor of Shanghai to telegraph to the Government, offering their services at the front on their behalf, and asking the Government to reject the said Power's demands in toto and to permit them to be the first in the field to fight the enemy for the defence of China's freedom. ginal fron
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.