As the days pass on the situation in Kaifeng and district does not seem to grow clearer: the feeling of nervous anxiety is the only one that is taking on more definite shape in the minds of the Chinese; and this not only here in our immediate neighbourhood. The troops have been drawn from all the Hsien districts and the country districts are left a prey to the depredations of the bandit hordes ever ready to fall on the unprotected country people.
Kaifeng is now almost entirely in the hands, of the old "I Chun" the troops formerly under the command of the Tuchun, when he was under commission. The Hung Wei Chun, or bodyguard, have been sent to the west, to Chenchow and the intermediate stations along the Lung-Hai line. We have, however, heard nothing of activities. other than the marches to take up position. Your Peking despatch appearing in yesterday's paper to the effect thata conflict of troops had taken place, I believe to be a mistake: at least I cannot confirm it, and Tam in almost daily communication with Chengchonm Perhaps as good a barometer as any to show the state of the public's nerves is the fact that the schools that should have been filled up now in preparation for the start of lessons on the coming Monday are entirely empty, or almost so. The Normal school, in which the pupils are supported, have only 20 out of its several hundreds: and the two middle schools are vacant. The mission schools are somewhat better off with half in, up to date.
The Students' Union, by means of the delegates left in town to carry on through the holidays, and the Protective Society continue opposition to the coming of the newly appointed Civil Gov ernor, Mr. Wang Yin-chawn After the popular meeting recent ly convened to protest against his coming, a large crowd went to the Parliament buildings to tell the members what the people. thought of. representatives, who are spineless as to acquiesce in this most. unpopular—_ appointment. Waiting some time after they had gained an entrance to the assembly hall to gain an audience, but being received by no one, the crowd proceeded to break windows and to demolish furniture. Though it is said there were very few students among the hooligans, the police have taken into custody the perser of Mr, Chao Wan-chan, of the law school, who is head of the Students' Union. Further the Governor has put an absolute prohibition on all student speaking, that deals with the local situation. It is said that his Excellency is prepared to receive the incoming Civil Governor.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.