Tam glad to say that in spite of all the excitement and unrest in other parts of China, we foreigners in Kueichow have been uble to Li From Ore Qwy Connesroncent and work in peace, and the people fare quite friendly to us.
Kueiyang, Dec. 2.
Political conditions throughout the Province remain quiet but, in spite of soldiers stationed almost everywhere, robbers continue to infest safe, the roads and travelling is far from
Would-be travellers avail themselves_of the opportunities which are afforded when opium caravans under strong military escort leave the city in various directions. Tu October one such in left for Chungking with 1,000 coolie loads and 500 horse loads of opium. It ishing what a lot of travel-link on" to them for safer; sake and T often wonder how commodation can be found cad night for so many.
What a contrast to the old peacefal times of the Manchu regi when we could travel anywhere in Kueichow and very seldom, if ever, meet with trouble.
The Spoils of Yunnan One indication of stagnation of trade is to be seen in the fact that the Commercial Press contemplates closing its Kueiyang branch and carrying on its business through an agent. I believe the firm lost heavily last year and knowing something of the conditions here I am not surprised, For a considerable ti ie, Bank of China notes have only realized 80 cents per dollar, and in some parts the provine they are not usable, dollars have the' biggest purchasing power but they. difficult to obtain. For the most part, Yunnan half dollar pieces are use where silver only is accepted.
Just now the eastern part of the province is almost inaccessible owing to robber bands and Tam told by friends at Chenyuan that it is almost impossible to et any money through. "Although on a navigable river trade is dead.
Our local papers give all the news they get of political and military movements in other parts of China, but for the most part the people are content if only Kueichow has quiet. And little blame to them, for we suffered badly as a province from the Yunnan hordes who in 1923 and 1924 were our "lords and masters." There was great reli when they left us just at the close of last Janar year (i.e, in January last). But they left their mark on the province in empty granaries, all available silver carried off and, in many places, in the buildings which they wantonly destroyed by fire.
Trade has of course been almost at a standstill, transport of goods into and out of the province being very difficult and costly.
Education in the province has, been sadly hindered on account of lack of funds to meet the expenses; in a good many districts the schools. have been closed for this reason.
Just now there are some students crom Szechuan in this city who are jon their way to Canton to enter Whampoa Military Academy.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.