A Complete Absence of Warlike Preparations It will have been noticed from reports in recent issues of local] newspapers that there is a differlence of opinion between the military chiefs of Kiangsu and Chekiang and it is even believed that there is some possibility of armed conflict. The more enterprising correspondents; have gone the length of measuring out from day to day the hourly dejereasing distances between the potential combatants and speculate ing when they will be near enough way station behind the Chinese City' on the line from Hangchow. "Never-lending streams" of refugees have been" fleeing from Hangchow and Soochow for the safety of Shanghai, and of course the station would be packed with thousands of desolate] [people and mountains of their household possessions. Soldiers would be harassing them, station officials would be tearing about in utter despair, the line would be: blocked and there would be general commotion. Actually there was more order and quiet than at English wayside station when the weekly paper with an account of the annual flower show and Oddfellows' supper arrives. Three or four railway guards and as many soldiers stood ina group on the front steps and three more lounged at the platform entrance. A long train packed with—people—depart-1g, not arriving—stood at the platform, and it did depart, The Station was absolutely clear of re-fogoes or their goods and chattels.
There was nothing to attract at the station, so the car was hea ed for the more exciting area around the Arsenal, with scarcely a hope that one would be permitted anywhere near it. The chauffeur drove yound the back and pulled up alongside the low mud wall flanking the troops' barracks. "Can go. You look see," said he, indicating: the way in. The sentry-box, sideways on, appeared to be deserted and there was not a soldier in sight, Looking round the box, a soldier was discovered inside, sleeping peacefully. The whirl of the engine roused him, he put out his head, expectorated—disdaintull when he found it was not an invading force that had arrived—and went off to sleep again even before the ear re-started, The chauffeur ther: drove on to one of the principal gates and without hesitancy pro-ceded through it, the half-dozen soldiers on guard, only two of whom had rifles, drawing aside wither saying a word and seemingly only concerned as to whether they woul be splashed with mud from the wheels, Round and about the chautfour drove inside the coveted area and never once was challenged, although some of the lines had' the appearance of seldom, if ever, ing traversed by motor cars.
Mansia Cut Hsten-yuan oP
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.