Hangchow, May 13 and 14- The President honoured the seth anniversary of a celebrated lady-citizen's birthday, yesterday, by a handsome scroll of congratulation. The old lady rejoices in having 60 grandsons—all bearing office in Peking, some in the Ca-bluet. Yuan Shih-kai paid her the same honour in his term of service. Besides these distinctions Mrs. Wan is the mother of Wan Sbitsen, and has gained merit through remaining a widow for 60 years. Both scrolls record this "merit."
Much concern is shown amongst the merchants over the shortage of raw silk This is sending up the price of silk to alarming heights Notices of the reason of the high price are posted up by the Silk Guild, on all silk shops-fronts by way of preserving the vendor's character in the public's eyes.
The new tea crop is reported satisfactory, though not so heavy as last year.
A call is made for an exhibition of purely Chekiang goods.—Decision rests mith the Provincial Assembly. This latter body met for a short session yesterday, and adjourned till to-day. No' business of importance was done, though on the file are such questions as the rice shortage and exportation; also the as yet unsettled disputes between soldiers and students, ete.
Cnivese Scwotars ror France.
The French School, opened last year by the Educational Association, sends a strong letter request ing that every assistance be given to those wishing to take advantage of the Paris offer to students from China. It is stated that students are only too willing to pay for their course in a French University, but, in emergency, they want to feel that the Provincial Government is at their back to subsidize. They write a very intelligent letter bringing forward arguments, amongst which is that of preparing for the next war" by having perfect conversance between China and France! France will need coolies and interpreters again," they say.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.