According to Peking telegrams, the President has sent deputies to sound the opinions of the foreign legations. The Japanese Minister has demanded that discussions the Chinese Press be strictly restricted, hence the warning from the Chengshitang that any leakage of confidential affairs of the State will be followed by the severest punishment, The East Asia Peace Association and the Chinputang have decided to hold meetings to discuss the situ: ation.
On January 31, an extraordinary conference was held at the Presidential Palace, at which all high officials, advisors, councillors, and others- were present, the question discussed being apparently cancer ed with the Japanese demands, the purpose of the conference an its result have been kept secret. The political parties, the journalists, and the merchants are all agreed that a deputation should be appointed to wait upon the Waichiaopu, and demand the publication of the true state of affairs, and that the apt excuse "that diplomacy should observe secrecy" could not be used in ruining China with her 400,000,- 000 souls. grounds for being dissatisfied with Szechuan, viz: (1) Although Szechuan has for long been noted for its wealth and prosperity, yet recently pecuniary assistance has been demanded from the Government; (2) Troops sent from Shensi and Kueichow to Szechuan have been debarred from entering that province one after the other even using force to obstruct their entry; and (3) The disclosure by the confession of hired assassins that the repeated attempts at the life of General Chen Huan were made at the instigation of that province.
The Fukienese in Shanghai.
Since the occupation of Tsingtao by Japan, it is -cported that one of the conces-ions she has demanded from the Central Government the right of operating railways in Fukien. Therefore, the Fukienese resident here have become greatly perturbed. On Sunday, they held an indignation meeting, at which it was decided to protest against granting any such concession, which would affect not only the vitality of the Fukien province, but also the sovereignty of the whole nation. Although they were confident that the Central Government could not
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.