The water power of Kuanbsien may in the future become a valuable asset. This year the Chengtu. plains present a most pleasant prospect. The ripening rice with its golden tinge, bespeaks good cheer to the masses who have been hard compare with central or northern provinces, Given a decade of peace, and a fair opportunity to the progressive spirit that has been so markedly [manifesting itself, notwithstanding political strife, and Szechuan would Teap from the quagmire of antique fated customs, superstitions and modes of living, into @ new world.
Outwardly there is very: little change in the political conditions, stern polities no doubt influence the policies of the various Generals, Speaking broadly there are two writes in Szechuan. The division is caused by personal ambitions rather than any serious contention for principle, If Mr. X proclaims he is a supporter of the North, then Mr. ¥ allies himself with the South, jand so the war begins. If one side ing, then two or three Gen-ata critical moment, either neutral, or change' their allegiance. These noble Generals apparently never lose face and {welcomed back and forth as saviours of critical situations, Another "Der Tag"
Incidentally the strife is prolonged, the Generals have a good Jexcuse' to drain the country of its younger manhood, its wealth, and thus train hardened soldiers, for "Phe Day" when imperialism' with the horrible ills that it has imposed upon an innocent people shall be for ever banished, It is certainly an emobling sight to follow in the train of these ie armies and watch the peo-sion District banging away at their neighbours in Pension, or vice versa, in order to convince one or the other that they ought to be bartizans of the Peking party or the Canton party, or—some other party, in order to save their 'The present Tine up seems to be Yang Sen at Wanhsien, General Tien at Tungebuan, and' Ten Hslhow at Chengtu, sympathizers with the North, and'Liu Hsiang, Li chin, and Lui Wen-hwei, occupying the rich districts westward—from Chungking along the Yangtze River, wavering in their allegiance a cording as success accompanies the arms of the allies or those of the "Reds."
Liu Wen-hwei has made his headquarters in Chengtu, but there are reports that he is not feeling too comfortable as he is away from hhis base, and Chengtu is filling up with soldiers of the first trio, His chief supporters in Kiating "ha assumed an independent attitude in regard to anti-British propaganda and boycott of British goods. The attitude of the Kiating students toward one company, and the scant court say shown to the Consul by officials is an indication fof what would take place if the "red" party once obtained the as=
Communication between Chungking and Kinting, by steamers, is Jeonfined to one or two summer months when the water is in flood.
Any interference with trade at that period means great loss both to the steamers companies, and the traders concerned. The anti-British propaganda which results in boycott of British goods is thus slowly extending westward. First it }was Chungking, then Luchow, then Suifu, and now Kiating, which is only 100 miles from this capital, pressed by the dearness of food. What a country this would become if internecine wars were banished, institutions instituted, industries encouraged, mineral wealth released, fand trade left unshackled.
The climate and' soil creates a self-sustaining principality. The summer crops of rice and veget-, fables can scarcely be excelled by the most favourable provinces of the south while the winter crops of wheat, oil, hemp, tobacco, indigo, sweet" potatoes, " peanuts, beans, sugar cane, ete. ill favourably priated for the purpose. This tax is also an item of provincial local revenue. The receipts from this! source in 1824 amounted to $236,-
'APnoros of a statement made in our leading sitticle else where this issue of the "North-China Herald" as received from our Kaifeng correspondent, to the effect that all the property of the China Inlang Mission in. Chowkiakow was destroyed when the city was looted \by bandits, we are informed by: the mission athoritin that her, live received word to the effect that {Geo mission houses in the south city were destroyed, but the mission school was stil intact, Tm the north city the mission property was not Itoucheg to any great extent. The first despatches as received by the (CLAM. here corroborated the state ment made by our Kaifeng correspondent, but later reports tend to
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.