A deputation from this. meeting waited upon the Tuchun and were received with all friendliness at the yamen in Wuchang. Hsino Yao-nan assured them that his anxiety] to keep Hupeh out of the whirlpool is as great as theirs, and that all possible measures are being taken to keep war away from the pro-Vince. He told them, however (it the Chinese press is to be believed) that his old relations with Wu Pei-fu compel him as a matter of face to give outward encouragement to the plans of his chief; but that if Wu actually comes to Hankow, he, Heine, will endeavour personally to dissuade him from warlike schemes, sand will provide him with money to travel abroad. At the mention of money, it appears that the deputation pricked up their ears and preterited that the province is too impoverished to bear another levy for the purpose of sending Wu Pei-fu globe-trotting. But the Tuchun reassured them by promising that he will be responsible for finding the necessary funds, and the de-station loft the yamen evidently Pleased with the success of their visit.
The whole story of the way in which Marshal Wu has been prevented from establishing his headquarters in Wuchang is indicative of the gradual rise of a new force in political affairs—the force of public opinion. This is the force }which will, inthe end, overthrow Jthe Tuchuns and put an end'to the quarrels of the militarists. The mushroom-growth of the Republic was a failure. The hastily-elected Parliament in Peking, - and the artificially constructed Constitution have hitherto done nothing for [China, But now the will of the people, making itself known partly through the Provincial Assembly. and partly through the Guilds and Associations, has proved itself powerful enough to keep war out of Hupeh in spite of the plans of the war-mongers.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.