Allegations of Appropriating 'Troops' Pay: Investigator's Integrity Questioned "from OUR Own ConRESrONDENT
Wochang, May 20, It ie now credibly reported that Gen. Wang Vu-chin, the tate Com-ander of te Hupeh 8th Division Thong, as left) Hankow and travelled north to Peking. Tupan Hsiao's. delegates, who went to Tehang to investigate the situation, report that Gen. Wang is accused two offences. He not only tured a very high hand in dismissing replacing his subordinate ofices; but also, he fs accused of appropriating the funds with which he ought to have paid his troops, So, it is another ease of China's old But Sheng Hsu-linn, former miliaxy- adviser to Gen. Wang. Vu-chin, has been sent down asa dete of Tuan Chi-joi from Peking to Hapeh to investigate this matter presents quite a different report. After spending a number of days in Hankow, Sheng has tent an urgent telegram to Peking accusing] Gen, Wang's two subordinates, Lin Yurchuin and Chang Fu-chen, the two brigade-commanders of the Division, of being the caure of all the trouble, and demands their in-sant dismissal. According to. the native press, however, Sheng Hsu-inn himself is aspiring to the commend at Ichang, and is making these accusations in order to clear the way for himself. 'The one fact perfectly clear in all this tangle that there is no honesty or patriotism on the part of any of there' military officials, but only telt-seeking and mutual' jealousy.
Rice Still Soaring The high price of rice, ax well as of coal, is still causing great concern in' this centre. The price of Tice is now more than 90,000 leash per ton, and coal has gone up to 3560. Even at these prices, it is said, come of the dishonest dealers use" water to swell the rice and make it heavier, and mix earth with the coal in order to. increase their profits. A group of leading merchants and officials is at pre-louring to make arrange-ave a Dig cargo of rice brought in from Hunan free of Nkin, to be sold at a reasonable ice to the people. $400,000 capital said to be required for the enterprise, and the Tupan is being ap-Proached with a view to putting a scheme into operation.
Two Killed in Maloo Battle At about noon, when the rieshas should be handed over from one coolie shift to the other, is the time of day when customers are most frequent, and highest can be demanded. There is a tinct temptation for the coolies of the first shift to retain their riesha: over the allotted time, in order serape together a few more coppers. This was the cause of a serious fight on the Maloo on Sunday. A few coolies on cither side commenced an altercation. They. were naturally joined by synipathizers of their own party. Stones were thrown. Pisticuffs, sticks, any ypons_ that came handy, were called into requisition. Very' soon a tattle royal was raging, in which coolies were engaged. The police of the Third Division were celled to the scene, and succeeded stopping the fight.
But not be- place Fore one coolie had been killed wounded"
Chief Executive Insulted Sceiety of Wuhan has recently sent 2 most insulting telegram to the Chief Executive in Peking, of which 2 summary is reported in the native ress. They accuse him of delaying the settlement of the gold franc case to suit his own interest. They complain that in the discussion with the Soviet Russia all reference to Japan and the 21 demands wers deliberately left out, although it was a favourable time for mentioning them. Also that Gen. Wu Pei fa was pen to entangle hi
of Hupeh province. They charge with Japan, to the confusion the Chief Executive -with responlity for maltreatment and in-salts offered to the students in Po-/Reuter's Pacific Service. long on the recent Day Shegrace. Also, with promoting to "office two. of the "National Traitors," Hoo Shuh-ching and Tsao Yulinn.' They also demand that the matter of the -21 demands taken up with Japan at the earl possible moment, together wit the question of the return of Dairen gpd Port Arthur; that the "National trid Wo Peto cashiered, tore" be summarily dismissed,
Of course; such -a document as} this, addressed to the Chief Ex-by a local self-appointed! ther society, is outrageous, and will probably meet with the contempt] which it merits. Hf the President a great nation were bound listen to.the complaints of any body} of private citizens, however it crinally addressed' to him, rie. The exponents of democr:
Tnodern China fail to. see. that, uy their disorderly methods and refusal to use the proper channels of communication, they are rendering democracy impossible,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.