The "Aja," that is, the Tibetan landlady, lots her keys go for once, and tsamba, butter, cheese, curds, wine, and other dainties are piled up for all to cat. It might, well be termed "festive religion." The Jamas and drabas also. let themselves xo and the poor fellows, never forgetting the hard and short fare at the lamasery, eat, drink and make merry. When' they return to their temples later in the day the Aja presents each with one rupee. This service, which is known in the Tibetan as "hia go che," that is, idol door open" ix performed merely to appease the demons and wicked spirits and keep them sweet in temper and peaceably inclined during the coming year. 'The music appeals to their cars, the dainties to their palates, and' the juniper smoke to their nostrils. The Zhi Dag, -thus appeased and satisfied remain in their wild mountain haunts for another year and only when famine, trouble, or war looms on the horizon do they come forth to show that they are behind these things and control them.
There are at least 300 drabas in Tachienlu, and lately 90. Chinese priests have joined the number, yet this strong religious force seems hardly equal to combat the malic-powers which threaten truction.
The China News Agency learns] that an exchange of posts between the civil governors of Chekiang and Kiangsu will soon take place, as it is the opinion of Marshal Sun Chuan. fang that such an exchange will do both officials much good. to their own streets, There has Leen much gambling in public places on the part of soldiers ever since the New Year season, much to the Gispleasure of ordinary citizens.
ions are being made for of the Provincial]
Assembly, which is expected to meet before the end of the month, although no definite date has been fixed.
Rice continues to rise in price and is. now selling at almost three times its normal value, It is reported to-day that the military authorities are planning to ship a very large quantity to Chungking and, if this proved true, there is! likely to be trouble. Funds for the schools are still lacking and many will not be able-to open... The Union University has opened for the spring term with a registration of. approximately the same number as in the autumn, There ig little evidence at this time of any orsd. anti-foreign feeling—Reu-Pacific Service,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.