For many weeks civilians in the territory of the Kuomine'wun, from Fengchen to Paotow, have' been isolated from the rest of China and almost completely without news from outside, A few scanty mails come in by road through Shansi, taking at least two weeks from Peking oF Tientsin, but even so letters are more often than not quiche? than telegrams. 1 The prosperity of the Northwest depends chiefly on two things—the export of grain and the transit trade in wool, skins and cotton from Mongolia and Chi 1 12. Turkestan, For some six months the railway godowns have been stacked high with produce from the far interior, great deal of which was contract= ed for shipment from Tientsin long, ago, How much money has been} Jost through this enforced stagnation, and how the loss has been distributed, from New York and London to' Lanchow and Urumehi, no one will ever know. For three or four months no grain has been exported, though when the Kuo-mine hun' are on the warpath and there is a shortage cars for freight, priority transport is given' to grain shipments. The loss from this stoppage, though relieved by "govern ment" purchases, is felt throughout the community, from farmer to grain-buyer and transport agent. Import goods, the supply of which depends wholly on the railway running short, and ples and luxuries—loth, tea and all sundry goods—for this territory has no manufactures at all. Kerosene is at $12 the ea Hatamen cigarettes are 10 coppers for 10 (with tax.)
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.