It seems that changes are imminin Kansu, The Governor Luh ie in failing health, and recently had a stroke. While he appears better than he was a few weeks ago, he continues far from well, 'The ques tion as to his successor is being canvassed. A more or less secret meeting between the two leading 'Moslem potentates in the province, 'Ma Chi and Ma Shao-chun, was recently arranged, and took' place about half way between their respective capitals. Speculation is rife as to what was-the purpose of this meeting and the general conclusion, while indefinite, is yet helpful. "It is, "They were up to no good, T'll be bound." Possibly they are planning to install one of their satellites as Governor. For it must be understood that in the retinue of each Moslem ruler there are a number of Chinese officers, who, for purposes of gain and emolument, enter the service of the despised and hated Mohammedan, The Governorship of Kansu does not on the surface carry with it such great honour or wealth as to be 0 eagerly sought after. Yet it is 8 highly coveted position, for like most others in these degenerate days, it gives the official holding it the opportunity for increasing his wealth in many ways, especially the opium tax. Even lesser officials teem to get wealthy quickly, for example, the Provincial Treasurer, man named Chen, is alleged to have made $1,000,000 out of his Job, in the space of two years. As tome one put it the other day, the "Steps to the Throne" in China may be described as follows, at least ai Jong as the present maladministration proceeds:—(1) Be a brigand; (2) Catch some foreigners; (3) Put them to ransom; (4) Get a commission in the army as part of the ransom; (6) Become a Tuchun (by a series of similar coups de main); (G) Become the President. (The later stages of disgrace and possible murder or suicide are not fuitnble for publication at this juncture), For the rest, Kansu remains peaceful, Some snow has fallen and the outlook for the crops is good. No letters have arrived from the coast for a fortnight, owing to the troubles in Honan, of the nature and extent of which' we are uncertain,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.