There is always a quota of interesting subjects to be drawn from the kaleidoscopic developments and changes in the political situation in China furnishing material for discussion in the Chinese Press. The attitude of Szechuan toward Peking had for some time been a puzzle to most of us, appearing to be repentant and loyal at one time but strained and even hostile at another, Outsiders failed to grasp the real situation until a fortnight ago, when General Hsiong Keh-wu, in a circular telegram despatch from Chungking, clearly elucidated his own position and the aspiration with the Central Government may be gathered. A few days later, another circulating telegram, signed jointly by General Liu Hsiang and a number of other commanders of divisions and brigades, reached the vernacular papers, in which the Peking Government. was openly charged with insincerity, indifference and treachery, and Szechuan reasserted its independence and autonomy, owing allegiance to none. By the way, the self-government movement is spreading in other provinces as well: North and South are showing the same enthusiasm in this connexion.
Worect Tates FROM TRE PROVINCES.
Matters in Hunan are by no means settled. Internally, jealensy and dissension seem to be rife: and fighting has taken place spasmodically Sateen several petty barons. Externally, it is again threatened with invasion by Li Lich-chitn's roaming bands. A telegraphic appeal for succour, submitted to Peking through Inspector-General Wang Chan-yuan has only elicited the disappointing reply that inasmuch as Hunan has} not openly cancelled its independence and renewed its allegiance to Peking, the Cabinet has regretfully decided that nothing can be done; Tuchun Wang is, how-} ever, ordered to reinforce the gar-risens of the border counties of Hupeh as a precaution against any possible attack by The animosity dispel. by! Tuchun Wang Chan-yuan against! Civil Governor Hsia Shou-kong has broken out afresh after lying dormant for some time, as he is reported to have instigated certain prominent men of Hupeh to im-' peach Hsia and demand his removal from his post.
From Kiangsi, news of a possible clash between Tuchun Chen Kuang-yuan and General Chang Tsungch'ang has been received here. The division of troops commanded by Chang, it will be remembered, were forced to beat_a hasty retreat from Hunan into Kiangsi, wherein Tuchun Chen had to graciously grant them permission to stay, when he perceived that he was not strong enough to eject them by They have since stationed Ives in Yuanchow and_ its eking out a precarious living on whatever they could levy on merchants or raise by other means. With the exception of the amount which Chang obtained from Peking when he made a. personal trip for it several months ago, he is said to have received nothing as "pay" for his troops, neither the Minister of War nor Tuchun Chen Kuang-yuan having heeded his repeated appeals. He is reported to have redistributed his forces so that he is occupying forty more li southward, and one of his brigades is said to be marching towards Nanchang.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.