The fourth and last Harbour Race, sailed on Wednesday, the 21st instant, resulted as follows Governor Chang Tseng-yang has not issued proclamation "prohibiting "gymnastics" in schools, but has prohibited the formation of Physical Asso-dations, using Gre-arms among the people and under no official control. Schools retain their physical drill, but the martial spirit among the nonmilitary is not looked upon with favour, any more than a Chinese Volunteer Corps in the International Settlements of Shanghai, if under no control of the Municipal Council. The formation of sach local militia was what the notorious: Governor Yi Hsien recommended in Shantung, culminating in the Boxer organization. Governor Chang has some ground for thinking that the revolutionary spirit finds a check in the prohibition of these trained bands of young athletes.
Governor Chang Tseng-yang is not in great fear that the "agility and strength acquired by students may encourage them to commit assaults on his person." He is not specially in great fear of any one, though he knows well enough that revolution cannot be ignored, and that precautions should betoken against the assault of bomb-throwing revolutionaries, Governor Chang Tseng-yang has not sent in his resignation "four times or even one time. He intends to remain until he has finished his work, or until the Government orders his transfer to another post. Of course, there possibility these days of his being ordered into retirement, but in my opinion no new Governor would satisfy the Chekiang gentry any better than the Present incumbent.
This official is not the nephew of Viceroy Chang Chih-tung nor son of the late Grand Secretary Chang Chih-wan. He comes from the same town in Chihli, and belongs to the same family, but is "distant, not @ near, relative of either of these men.
Governor Chang Tseng-yang has been criticized for ordering that the female school-teacher in Shaohsing be beheaded, but his order was based on the petition and information of the Prefect. at Shaoshing, and under repeated and urgent telegrams from Peking and Nanking that all revolationary leaders be promptly arrested and punished. From our Anglo-American standpoint the woman would not have been punished, but would have been treated as an eccentricity; but we need to bear in mind that a revolotionary movement exists in China, that assassination under new methods learned abroad is inculcated and rather too freely practised, and that urgent measures are needed to maintain the peace and security of the nation and the Government.
During my stay of a few days on Pagoda Hill outside the city of Hi chow, I have met the Governor own yamen, having a two hours' interview, and have had " return call lasting two hous da half. I see no reason for regarding him as a foe of education, progress or justice, and hence it is I pon these lines.
Tam, ete., Giupent Rew.
Hangchow.
(We are glad to receive Dr. Gilbert Reid's appreciation of the Governor of Chekiang, but would point out that it is hardly a matter for surprise, if the relatives and friends of the eccentric school teacher whom he beheaded find themse}ves unable to take the same dispassionate view of the hom Dr. Reid does not regard as a "(oe of tice." It is right that full allowance should be made for differences of eastern and temperament between Chinese and foreigners; but we doubt, whether the missionary, i.e. educational, cause in China is furthered by holding up to honour prominent officials who have been guilty of exceptional outrages against the universally accepted codes of justice and humanity. The Governor of Chekiang in ordering the summary execution of © woman insufficient evidence of certain Viceroy who publicly drank the blood of a prisoner whose execution he had attended, possibly acted according to their lights; but the cause we all have at heart of promoting the interests of China, moral, political and commerial, must assuredly receive s set-back, as model, or are feted under the auspices when such men are held up by foreigners of educational establishments.—Ep.)
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.