The reports that Wu Peifu at Hengchow was making ready to leave that city and allow the Southerners to occupy it seem to be without foundation. There has been considerable movement of troops, some to that front but more away from it to Yungchow and Wukanchow in the West. Since the trouble in the South between the two Li's has taken place a good many of the Cantonese troops have been moved south, and rumours galore are afloat here regarding it.
Some foreigners connected with the Presbyterian Mission Station at Chenchow were caught in the fighting within a few miles of Canton and were required to finish their journey by launch, instead of by train. A week hence they returned and the trains were running as before. It is reported, however, that fighting has opened again and no news of any official character has been received here for several days.
We seem to be settling back into the old ways and the reports of opening hostilities again have ceased. Meanwhile theft and bight wayism are on the increase.
The authorities, headed Governor Tan Yen-kai, are opening a very fine public bath pond and houses about eight li from the city at a famous hot spring, and a road 10 feet wide is to be built to it from the city so that rigshas and other vehicles can be used over it.
The Confucian temple and grounds are being turned into a public park and playground, and sports and other recreation facilities are being provided. The temple buildings are also to be made available for public use.
A good many look upon this with a good deal of suspicion, and wonder why schools are not provided. There seems to be no room or money for schools of any kind.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.