The appreciation in value of copper coins to which we have drawn attention is creating no small agitation in Chinese circles. Curiously enough, while for months now complaint has been made of the hardship imposed on the lower classes of the country because of tha great depreciation in this particular currency, equal complaint is now forthcoming on the score of the higher value just attained. Allegations of hoarding on the part of the- unscrupulous are being made, and this, in addition to the usual increased demand for coppers which always occurs about China New Year, is causing the higher values. It is said that between now and China New Year the speculators in this medium expect to make a profit of 20 cents on every dollar's worth they have bought, apparently connoting a yet further sensational rise in price in a very short space of time. Seeing that there is this speculation—a new medium for gambling is always a welcome adjunct in the lives of those whose job is neither toiling nor spinning—various Chinese organizations and even officials ave going into. the matter, and if report speaks true efforts will be made to have the jeurrency stabilized over the next few weeks. Until Peking, however, is able to take a grip of the provincial mints and reduce them to order, any measures taken locally can have only a temporary effect.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.