Mr. Kuo then proceeded to read the draft of the constitution; but he had not got further than the eighth article, which provides for the election of a civil governor, thas a sudden and rude interruption took place. "Tt appears that a crowd of from 70 to 100 people had seated themselves in the Spectators' gallery during the progress of the proceedings. According to one account, this crowd consisted of students, of girls and women, and of Hankow shop-keepers and workmen, According to another, they were simply a gang of coolies with straw sandals, riesha-men, and a mixed mob of men and " women. Whoever they were, they acted according to a preconcerted plan, for fas soon as the article providing for the election of a civil governor was read, they set up a simultane ous yell, and commenced throwing things upon the floor of the house and kicking up such an uproar that it was quite impossible to proceed with the business.
Before very long, the police were sent for, and the outer gates were shut. A's soon as the police arrived on the seenc,~the trouble-makers rushed down from the gallery and tried to escape. Finding the gates closed, the men escaped by climbing. over the boundary-wall. The women, being table to do this, were caught, but were immediately set in_and sent about their 'After the excitement had somewhat subsided, the chairman sent to.recall a number of the members of the assembly. who had taken fright and left the place. Upon their return, the session. was continued with' closed doors, and the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.