A British telegram from up-river' conveys to the authorities here the urgent message that General Yang Sen does not want another bombardment. This might have been taken for granted, but from other sources it ig made clear enough that Yang Sen is prepared to capitulate and accept almost any terms.
General Lu Chin-shan. in I-ichang has "announced that he is authorized to act as go-between in any negotiations, and it is understood that two of Yang Sen's subordinates are on their way down to Ichang to do all they can to prevent another gunboat visitation. It is further reported that the two steamers which Were the bone of contention, the Vanhsien and Wantung, have been shifted a little way down river from Wanhsien town, anchored, looted and deserted, as much as to say: "Come and take your old bos A Japanese gunboat that arrived at Wanhsien shortly after the bombardment received aboard as refugees, two Britons, one Dane, and six Americans. This does not account for the whole foreign community. A report sent on the 8th from Chungking now confirms the earlier statement that the attitude of the people was not really mena jing and adds that so far only one man, a British subject, has seen fit to take refuge on a gunboat. 'The Japanese admiral here has' wirejersed instructions to his up-river feraft to afford all possible protecers of all nationali What Shall be Done?
It is felt -here now that the bombardment acted a powerful sedative in Szechuan instead of an irritant and that, to make the effect last, the second expedition should not only go up for show purposes but should make a conspicuous example of Yang Sen. Many events: in the past have demonstrated that nothing is so efficacious as punishing the biggest man in sight. - It not to be supposed that Yang Sen can be caught, but he can be proclaimed an outlaw in the sight of the Britich Government throughout Szechuan. It can be announced that he will-never be permitted to travel on a British steamer, never! or duet ty British territory, never" permitted'to do business. with British firm, and. that the British Government. will withdraw recogni" tion from any Chinese regime thnt gives him an official appointment, Something like this, it is hoped, will officialdom, be done as an example to Chinese
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.