Our city has been honoured by a visit from General Wu Pei-fu, whose name is mouthed more than any other 1 these days. came in the night on Wednesday last, and left, escorted like a king, on the following afternoon, after a meeting in the Kiangsu Guild hall at which all sections of society in the city were represented.
At this meeting the General was the guest of honour and the two Governors were present to accord a "joyful welcome" to the visitor. Your readers will not have forgotten that it was General Wu Pei-fu, who became the mouthpiece of the Chibli faction last year when the Peking Government had decided that Honan should be an Anfu province. Ihus in a way the Military Governor owes his retention in office here to General Wa When called upon to make a speech for the edification of the crowded audience, he propounded the theory that China's present political troubles will not ba ended till the cabinet is composed of non-party, men.. this, no doubt, a direct thrust at the Anfu crowd, In his own way he is countering Marshal Tuan and his followers, for from Hankow north the Kin-Han railway is occupied by his troops. At the present time Chengchow is literally overcrowded by his troops, so much so that they are commandeering every possible place, even making an attempt on the residences and schools of the Southern Baptist Mission. There are said to be fully 40,000 of these troops along the line, from which it be seen that Little Hsu might very considerable difficulty in getting south with troops, if the Marshal is really bent on this move, Snaxouar's New Commissioner.
T wrote you some time ago about the misfortune that was befalling our community in the loss of the very popular Commissioner for Foreign Affairs. If Mr. Hsu really needed proof of the esteem in which he has been keld he most assuredly received fullest manifestation during the days of the past week. To anyone but the most unwearied in both extending ani receiving courtesies this proof must have been very painful, for Mr. Hsu has been luncheoned, teaed or dinnered several times a day. Av every one of these functions, speeches of most eager and earnest regret at losing Mr. Hsu have vied with congratulations both for himself on his elevation, and for Kiangsu in gaining where we lose.
Mr. Hsu and family left for Shanghai and his new office on Friday, bearing with him several solid testimonials of regard in the shape of silver shields, cups, ete., presented by local friends and groups of friends at the abovsmentioned banquets. The foreign community presented him with 3 large silver rose bow], and a book of signatures from as many of the friends throughout the province as could be reached. There is still money in the hands of the com mittee, which wil] be expended in a local scholarship of some kind.
The weather is very dry, and fears for the future are freely expressed. Though a very fair wheat crop has been harvested, the price of flour has advanced, because of the fears for the autumn crops,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.