Politically affairs about the capital of Szechuan are very quiet. Some of those arrested unti] their accounte could be squared with the public are still in confinement, but their oases have almost ceased to be a topic of conversation. The announcement that the Szechuan vote had gone solidly for the President to assume the role of Emperor caused some sensation for a time, but that oe has apparently roused no resentment. The merchants and farmers in so far as they are interested trust that it will mean a return to the better protection which they enjoyed during the old Manchu rule and are satisfied.
The only dissent comes from an occasional member of the student but it is doctrinaire rather dynamic.
Our new Governor Chen Er-ngan seems to be ruling with a strong hand, and people appear well pleased. His most difficult task is ridding the country of robber bands The Northern troops which the Governor brought with him have been scattered in small bands Ichang, Dec. 27.
The survey for the line running from Ichang to Szechuan was finished some time ago, and it was thought at the time that but for the war, the work of construction would have gone forward. Now, however, all material lying at Tehang is being vold to the Hankow-Hunan section of the Canton-
Hinkow Railway. The Foreign engineers with the exception of chief engineer have all left. There is now a rumour that the running of a trunk line from Hankow to. Bzechuan through Ichang will be given up, and that the line of the excellent work he did while in the Government Service. The Registry here to-day speaks of the latter, but I would rather speak of our friendship which had extended for many years. I first knew Capt. Douglas when I joined the Court, which is now nearly thirteen years ago. From that day down to the day of his death I have enjoyed his friendship. He was amongst the very first to leave here at the commencement of the war, and, coming. as he did from a fighting race, it seems natural that he should have volunteered sh once to fight for the empire.
spt Douglas was of along the great arteries of trade, and the main roads are gradually growing safer. The smaller roads have, however, still many dangers, This is especially so in the moun-famous districts and along the borders of other provinces. As the northern troops have difficulty in understanding the language and arts of the Szechuanese, the task of freeing the borders of these brigands is largely entrusted to the Szechuanese territorial troops. "The task is by no means an easy one even were there no complications of old friendships and brotherhood im the Long Gowned Society. The
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.