The merchants passed a unanimous resolution declaring that, ey would neither use nor countenance the use of these new notes, They also resolved by unanimous vote, that if any one of their number should get into trouble by refusing to use the notes the whole merchant body will stand by him and give him all the support possible, Re-Presentatives of the three Guilds were chosen to go to the Tupan in Wuchang and make one more Protest against the issue of the notes.
'The strike of riesha coolies in Hankow has been weftied. After' several days of negotiations, the owners' gave way, and at a meeting last Saturday, it was agreed that the price charged to the coolie for the hire of a riesha shall not be raised during the next five or six months. After that period, the hire of 800 cash shall not be increased by more than 80 cash, This settlement will enable the coolies to tide over the winter.
Dee. 9.
The sequel to the protest of the local merchants against the issue of military notes by Wu Pei-fu tock place on Sunday. After meeting at the Wuchang Merchants' Guild, the whole body of delegates, numbering 120, proceeded to the Tupan's yam. 'They were joined by representatives, of various other public bodies, cluding the Bankers' Association, the Money-Changers' Union, and #9) on. Altogether, seven important! public bodies were represented, anil 3 pin. more than 800 dele-
The Tupan received this large deputation in person. He Received a written petition from them, but informed them that Wa Pei-fu had already promised that the motes when issued should not be used locally to disturb the Hankow monel-market. The delegates asi ed why, if this was the case, the new notes had "Henkow". stamped upon them. They also wanted to know why upon. the backs of these aten, St ly stated that certifentes that the notes shall not be put into circulation locally, and assured the merchants that they would, hav: ino reason to be apprehensive in {the futare, for Wu Pei-fu would cer. tainly respect their wishes, and would no longer insist on forcing into local use. After this the putation retired, apparently fied, to a feast at the Wuchang Merchants' Gull It appears that the Hupeh forces, or some of them at least, are to have-a share in th: coming struggle jatter all. The latest report is that the Honan Tupan, Yue Wei-tsun, has telegraphed for assistance against the troops of Li Chindlin, who. are attacking the Kuominchun (People's Army) who are holding the northern border of his province In response to this appeal, General K'eo Ying-chieh with the Ist Division has been ordered to proceed -Inorthward from his posit at Kuangshui; and one mixed brigade out of Song Chien-yeh's division is also to move northward to assist,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.