Peking, Oct. 16.
Imperial edicts have been issued ordering free distribution of rice to the poor and the opening of the Peking granaries for the sale of rice at reduced rates.
The scarcity of dollars is causing continual runs on native and foreign Banks. The latter have been approached regarding an emergency loan of Tls. 5,000, for the Luchunpu (Ministry of War).
General Yin Chang started for Hankow at midday yesterday. He is making his headquarters 200 li distant from Hankow.
It is officially announced that Yuan Shih-kai has telegraphed to Lisa Shih-cheng accepting the Hukuang Viceroyalty. pointment is causing optimism in Government circles, the officials believing that his name alone will strike terror.
It is expected that all passenger traffic between Peking and Tientsin will be suspended to-morrow to allow of the rapid transport of troops.
The entire Imperial Guards division has returned to Peking.—Our Own Correspondent.,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.