Twenty-three different associations of Chinese have drafted a letter (given below) to the foreign Ministers in Peking protesting against loans. The letter is inter: esting in respect of the plain hint given of possible reprisals in the way of injury to foreign trade: in passing, it may be said that threats of the kind tend to defeat their own ends More interesting, however, is the list of signatories, which includes not only students unions, but associations of merchants, returned Chinese Labour Corps. men and the Shanghai Women's Union. The letter is as follows:—"To the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps, Ministers of Countries Friendly to China, and the Consortium.
"For the past several years, the conditions of unrest in this country have entirely been due to the plots of a minority of officials and militarists in Peking. As a result, the people of China are getting into Tamentable misfortunes, and the Chinese nation has been prevented from thriving and progressing- We have finally come to the conclusion that our country can never be prosperous with: out reformation, which can never be effected through the corrupt officials and militarists in Peking. Recently the Peking Go ernment, under the veil of curtal ing troops and developing dustries, has attempted to secure loans from the friendly countries with a view to crushing the people. Therefore we beg you and the Con sortium to take notice of our resolution, that unless the internal political conditions in China are settled, the friendly countries should give no financial support to the Peking Government, no matter what reasons and conditions the Peking Government may give for making loans.
The conclusion of these loans will not only bring about an unpleasant reaction among the Chinese themselves, but will also make them apprehensive of the probable hindrance to the foreign trade in China. We hope you and the Consortium will pay' special attention to that.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.