A notice has been issued by the Commissioner of Customs here to the effect that, by order of the Bureau of Taxes, conveyed through the Inspector-General, all articles akin to, or possessing some or all the essential qualities of opium, which is now being entirely prohibited, must not be permitted to enter Chinese ports. A certain kind of article for smoking, manufactured in India and called "Kan Cha," would have the sam" effect on smokers as that of opium. At first, it appeared to give the smoker strength and energy, but, if habitually indulged in, it would soon los its efficacy as a tonic, and' would hold the smoker as its slave as tenaciously as opium. A sample has been received by the Commissioner who hereby proclaims.for the information of all merchants that the import of this and such other articles into China is strictly prohibited.
The Taoyin, the Prefect, and the City Court of Justice have received a despatch from the Governor Kiangsu, stating that the Ministry of Interior has approved the suggestion made by the Inspector-General through the Shuiwuchu to the effect that since the fact that the evil effect from morphia is even worse than that from opium is universally recognized, and that the trade in morphia has increased to an alarming extent in Tientsin and elsewhere, timely steps for its restriction or suppression should be taken, or it would spread to a still larger extent, The officials are ordered pressed without delay.
March 10.
The Javanese Demands, Ever since the publication in the foreign and Chinese newspapers of the supposed text of twenty-one de-made upon China by the Japanese, not only has the C Press been full of discussions and comments with regard to these demands, but an astounding number of telegrams and letters on the subject have been pouring into the Capital and this port from all places and sources, and coupled with these, some local associations and auch like bodies, both old and new, have issued printed circulars, calling upon the people to rally themselves firmly against the acceptance of these demands. The one signed by the Chinese students in Japan and another issued by the Patriots' Society are couched in too strong terms which are mostly of an inflammable nature the former ded ing that the people should remain adamant to the last and refuse to yield, even should the Government choose to accept the terms of the demands, and. the latter advising them prnetically to boycott everything Japanese. We choose for trandation 1 circular, distributed by a newly-formed society, calling itself "The Citizens' Society" formed for the special purpose of desing means of dealing with Japan, as a typical instance of a number of others written in comparatively moderate and temperate tones.
"The biting wind and flying snow wed na of the end of the year. During the heat of a cloudy struggle in Europe, a ut of the greatest denyer has suddenly taken place. namely. the unexpected demands made upon is by Japan. Was not Japan supposed to be on friendly: terme with our conn. try? Had not she frequently declared her desire to preserve yeara in the East? aust, she haw launched upon' us dem ter seizing Tsingtao, with no apparent after demand. besides coercing our G ernment to preserve the strictest secret:
ither has her friendliness gone and her vaunted effort for peace? Since our went has not made the body can ques as to. their particulars. But frum what haa already appeared in both the Chinese and foreign press, there can be no doubt that altopether twenty-one demands have been made.
eluding those involving the sacrifice of our administrative rights in Manchuria, and grant operations in Anhui privilege to work the various in: dustries throughout the country, and even the appointment of Japanese councillors to all branches of our Government. The last demand is doubtless made because the Japanese regard us as on a level with Korea to which a Japanese Comptrolie General wae "appointed just before that Kingdom was annexed. Japanese believe that we are too weak to show resistance, and that as long as Europe's attention is directed to the var.
the Powers will not be able to jin the equilibrium in the East have hitherlp done. She therefore thinks that she can do anything as. she likes, forcing our Government to acquiesce thd ishing to tak' (Brough er pol and wishing to rush through her policy not even have time to plug up her ears!
it fog speed. a0 thst. Chine Goverment ack naked for time "Our to discuss mands one by one met a similar denial. Japan even tried to ignore our Minister foreign Intercourse and force the hand of our President directly. Why press os 'Oh! "If this can be endured, what else may not be endured' (us Confucius said.) Rather than bow our head for the sword to strike, how much better would it, be for us to, make one supreme and hal effort to defend ourselves. Even small courtness like Belgium and Servia dare to resist Austria and Germany. Could we, 400,000,000 people, who are the offspring of celestial and' illustrious ancestors, meekly accept the humilis that is the due for an extinct nation, without at least avenging our hearts' blood by making a final struggle?
We beg hereby to make in earnest to all our countrymen the following declaration.
Japan has made these demands with the object of destroying us, If, knowing this to be the case, we still do not give our lives and property to save ourselves, ye shall be unworthy to be called citizens. Now, the Tsanchengyuan holding an extraordinary session for the purpose of addressing an interpellation to the Government, and the Chiangchunr of the nineteen provinces and the cham. bers of commerce of various have both jointly telegraphed to the Govern. ment asking for an explanation. the true facts are disclosed, we shall know how to deal with the case in civilized manner. Even should our Gos ernment refuse to break off diplomatic intercourse. po inclinations, which have remain oice more assert t!
The members of this Society have all business occupations in Shanghai. There need be no absolute necessity of any antiforeign demonstration which might endanger our diplomatic relations. What the Society is aiming at is to gather our countrymen together to discuss and devise proper means for the salvation of our nation. At ancient proverb saya: "When one man has raised his arm and voice, thousands will answer his call." We shall wait and see if the proverb stands true thin day."
March 11.
Sino-Japanese Rotations, A Peking telegram reports that a certain Power has despatched their adventurers to China in three batches, with the object of creating disturbance by bribing Chinese rebels. One batch which is under the control of " Korean named Shea Chih, in now in Fengtien. The 2nd batch, consisting of Japanese, is in Shantung, and the 3rd batch, in charge of the Korean Tsai Chang-lich, is showing its activity in the districts of Peking and Tientsin. Telegraphic news has reached Peking of an attempt to murder Dr. Sun Yat-sen by somebody unknown Original fror
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.