Gen. Mu's Position Stronger From Our Own Correspondent.
Canton, Oct. 9.
Since last writing we have passed through a week of anxious expectation but, fortunately, no actual disturbance. All business has been at a standstill and we have wondered from day to day what might happen. The main thing is that in spite of all the protestations, exhortations and threats of the leaders of the Kuangtung party the Tuchun Mu is still here and apparently is in a stronger position than ever.
The opinion is freely expressed in the foreign community that the Kuangtung leaders missed their chance on Monday September 27, when they declared their independence of his authority.
If then they had moved at once to expel him they might have carried the position with a rush az the number of Kuangsi troops la The city was small and there was x possibility of a surprise. Since then Mu has been strengthening his position, getting troops from other parts and generally "digging himself in." A lot is made in the local papers of the number of districts in the province which have declared in favour of the Kuangtung army, but these do not count for much. 'What appears to happen is that the local bandits calling themselves for the time the 'People's army'? seize certain places. If Mu is able to stay on in Canton, at the first move from his forces these so-called "'people's soldiers" would scatter and become bandits again. It seems to me that the only place that matters outside of Canton is Waichow. If Chen should decisively defeat the Kuangsi troops there, then Mu would have to go and go as quickly as he can, as the main strength of his forces have been concentrated at that place. From all we can hear Chen is not advancing at Waichow, but is being firmly held.
Tae Tucuey's Price.
From the first, Mu has played for time. Continual negotiations have gone on with a view to buying him out, "All kinds of amounts have been mentioned, but it seems true that he has made a firm demand for two million dollars. The Citizens Committee have offered $500,000. Some are said to be prepared to go to $1,500,000, but there seems to be something behind thei offer as it is said that they have privately lent money to the Kuangsi party and hope to get their money back from the amount which is to be paid to Mu, as that would be a charge on public funds. Then too, one has the suspicion that the leaders of the Kuangtung party are not as united as would appear ea the surface. There have been hints that Admiral Lin in charge of the Navy is not whole hearted in his support.
Yesterday a move was made and the newly appointed Tachun Tang announced that he had assumed
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.