Magnificent Rain Storm to Save Crops Obviously Due to Her Benign Power Prom Our Own Consrsronoent, government, It was handed over, a mere mud swamp, in order to satisfy the demands of the foreign merchants that they might have romnrere to) raid. Ti, Sat that it is now a dry and welltonicipal "area, with, magnificent buildings upon it, and that every square fong of its surface is worth almost a fabulous sum, is due entirely to foreign enterprise and to the lavish use of foreign capital. In the second place, even if it were a leased territory, in the ordinary sense -of the words, the ease could not terminate in less than 99 years, and this means that it would still have nearly 30 years to run, Nevertheless, the native press at present is full of the prospect of having this splendid piece of territory returned to China, and of Soochow, Aug. 23.
We sometimes hear of a million-dollar storm, or usually meaning, a loss to that amount. But the very heavy rain yesterday afternoon was, certainly a tens of thousands of dollars gain to Soochow and the surrounding country, not merely to the crop, but also as a measure of Public health in flushing out the ry canals, which had become black and reeking with filth, and in filing the fast-dying well situation in the city quite serious, and in the country' Both men and beasts were pumping] water almost day and night, in the attempt to save the rice roy Rarely has it rained so hard in Soochow, as yesterday afternoon; and the rains of last night and to-day are continuing the good work.
There are thousands who believe' that these rains are all due to the influence of our local Goddess Mercey, for her power is believed to be most tch fah—effective. On Thursday she was brought into town from her temple, some 10 miles in the country, iven a suggestions as to what shall be done with it when it has returned its right tal ownership. Perhaps the wish is father to the thought, No doubt, the recent acquisition of the former German and Russian Concessions has given them a taste. for possession, and makes them clamour for more. However it may be, the Hupeh Provincial Assembly has already memorialized the Governor, requesting him to approach the Board of Foreign Affairs upon this matter, in order that there may be no delay in the carrying out of the restora Discussion is already going on as to what use can be made of the: valuable sites hitherto occupied by foreign firms, and of the. jetties that afford shipping facilities along. the Bund, A Squeeze that Failed.
By the way, the inner story of the handing over of the Russian Concession has now leaked out, and it is worth repeating for its very naivete. Tt appears that Mr. Shen Tsi-liang, the (late) Commissioner of Foreign Affairs, came to kiangyin robbers, Wusih meet the Municipal Council with his thieves, Soochow Goddess of Merey, budget already prepared. The: Hangchow Buddha." first item was a salary of Tis.
When your correspondent was a 2,000 per month for himself, small boy, some years ago—yes, it] in reward for the arduous duties was even before the Revolution, which he anticipated in looking that summer it rained and rained, after the welfare of the residents, something like 40 days and 40 After this came a list of salaried nights. One afternoon it rained so offices which he proposed hard that the canals could not carry establish for the efficient running Off the water fast enough, so that the by which no doubt it flooded the streets from one to of 60 of his uncles, two feet.
This Tittle brass image cousins, and various other relatives the Goddess of Mercy was would have been put into the way. brought into town for special wor-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.