The political situation has shown but very slight improvement, if any, since the significant defeat of the Anfu Army. For, as the "'Shwnpas" cynically remarks, the Chinese are adepts only in the consummation of destructive works, and they have yet to demonstrate to the world their possession of any constructive genius. We regret to admit the truth of this remark, especially when applied to the solution of China's national problems _in which they appear to have meddled always in vain. To cite several late instances, they were able to destroy the corrupt court of the Manchus, but they stopped there, thus giving birth to Yuan Shibkai's despotism. They showed their mettle again jin destroying the latter, structive ability was mainly their lack of con: to blame for the growth of the 3 ical power exercised by Tuan Now, they have once more proved their ability at destruction by shattering big Tuan's tyranny; but we have yet to learn what ' steps have been adopted that may be accepted as constructive in character.
Abvice To THE Vicrors.
The comment columns in the Chinese Press of the bygone week have been replete with advice and suggestions for the benefit of the victors, The Chihli leaders have been severely criticized for having made certain demands as their terms of peace, of which several sets with some slight difference in their purport have been published, 45 it 1s considered not to be within their province to make demands ai the President, and at the utmost, they could but submit suggestions For the President to consider when ther to adopt or reject, upon the conclusion of their task in vanquish. ing their foes. The proposal to divide the nation into four quarters to he designated as militar areas, while the tuchunate is to be abolished, has occasioned much adverse comment in most of the Chinese papers, each of the four areas to coiliprise several pro-inces and to be under the respec. tive commands of Chang Tso-lin, Tsao Kun, Li Shun and Tei Yungting. This scheme is mercilessly condemned by the "Sinwanpao."
The question that has received most attention is the one relating to the effective punishment and not merely paper denunciation of the chief "cifenders, ov the ringleaders of the treacherous Anfu Club, which in turn has given rise to heated discussion of the question of affording these culprit asylum by x foreign Power. The "'Shunpao" has published several ugly-worded -articles on such indrad subjects as "How to deal with the traitors," "Dismiss and banish all the sycophants," and} "Political offenders and conimon criminals.
The "Sinwanzeo" has officials been no less outspoken by its publication of the articles entitled "Beware of a certain Power," ~Japan's attitude," and "Protecting the chief offenders." Valuable suggestions on reorganization matters were made. Other subjects dealt with include:—Reported new alliance of eight provinces, Citizens' National ~—Assembly, Citizens' responsibility, Future situation, Selling rice to Japan, Investigating accounts of government departments, Confiscation of Anfuites' property to lighten people's burden, the Kiangsu Assembly versus corrupt officialdom, Chang Tso-lin's utterances, Disbanding of troops, People must supervise elections, and An anti-Chinese educational bill in the Straits Settlement.
Kiasesr Assemrny asp THE
Goveryor Vu Chi-chi who has been impeached the ®iangsu Provincial Assembly for corrupt. practice has just been transferred to be Financial Commissioner by order of the Civil Governor. The "Sinwanpao" considers it only proper that the Kiangsu people should rise in protest against such a highly injudicious step as the Governor has taken, in furnishing wings to such greedy vulture as Vu. According to its Nanking correspondent, the chief reason that has necessitate ed the exchange of posts between Hu Hsiang-liang, the Financial Commissioner, and Vu Chi-chi, Taoyin of Nanking, was the inability of the former to meet the demand for $1,700,000 in full made by Tuchun Li Shun as extra military expenses. Mr, Hu, was compelled to send in his resignation; hence, he and Vu exchanged posts. Thus, it would appear that the Tuchun has been more instrumental "in effecting Yu's promotion than the Governor, says the Civil "Sinwanpas."" As the Kiangsu people are already feeling the pinch badly, the exhaustive methods that will surely be adopted by such an expert extortioner as Vu Chi-chi to wring the last cash from their pocket can be easily imagined. As it is a question involving the welfare of the whole provinces it is hoped Tuchun Li Shun who has the people's wellbeing always at heart will remedy this erroneous step.
The "'Shunpao" regrets that old, corrupt officials have obtained such a firm foothold in the Government service of China. It declares that the whole system is rotten to the core, and nothing short of sweeping measures can purify If even in this comparatively easy-reform we should fail, what else could we hope to accomplish? We need only be sincere and persevering, and we lo not think that it would prove a harder task to remove these than to overthrow the militarists. Let our citizens cognize and perform their duty.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.