While Peking more or less preserves a discreet silence upon the topic. Shanghai seems to canvassing with a good deal of eagerness the rumours of an attempted restoration of the monarchy. Within. the past few days a number of arrivals from the capital have been discussing the probabilities, and not only is Shanghai interested, but in certain quarters it is said ta even enthusiastic. The latest report is that the attempt is much nearer at hand than might have been suspected, and some are inclined to put it at the distance of only a few weeks. Apparently it is now only a question of whom to place upon the throne, should the revolution succeed. Chang Tso-ling and Tsao Kun have not yet been able to agree on this, one faction being all for Hsuan Tung, the ex-Emperor, while the other demands Prince Kung, as being of maturer age. These rumours are of special interest in view of a remark recently made by an American extremely well versed in Chinese affairs, that there was not the slightest chance of a restoration. On the other hand, however, it is pointed out by those of a different opinion that so much trouble has been the lot of the republic that the people are likely to welcome a reversion to the old order. There were many evil abroad in the days of the empire, but in those times officials were required to keep their store-houses
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.