The Southerners have advanced steadily during the week. Two days Jago they passed Kingchow, where a pitched battle was fought, and: they are now within 40 li of Wuchang. A stand was made at King. advantage of the very favourable conditions. AN the ferry launches mandeered by the military leaving the sampans with-High prices and tion are the order of the $15 was the price demanded of us for the transportation of nine packages (three men's load) for a distance of not more than 600 yards. '$2.00 per person is demanded for Jerossing the river, the usual price being 200 cash. Even then it is hard to obtain a sampan, owing to the constant presence of the tao ping, who board a boat as soon as it touches land. Consequently, they have to await their opportunity, dash in and row away as quickly a8 possible, Strict regulations are laid on all exess river shipping. No boat is allowed to cross the river after 7 pin, Moreover, only two of the city gates, Hanyang Men and Wen-chang Men, are open and then only between the hours of 9 am, and 5 pin.
M.S, Despatch arrived here on [Tuesday and is now lying in midstream, General Ma, who is now back with his men in the centre, spoke feclingthe brilliant tactics of the enemy, who made a fierce frontal attack which the 8th Division resisted energetically, only to find the enemy hemming' them in on both wings. The brunt of the Sghting has fallen on this division, which has now come down, and its wounded could be seen _yesterday trailing along the Hankow' streets, many leaving tracks of blood in thei wake.
All is quiet within the city of Wuchang, though, of course, an air of excitement and expectancy reigns The city is nervous to a degree and such nervousness isnot lulled by the transportation to Hankow of the wives, families and goods of the various generals quartered in Wuchang. Marshal Wu is reported to have establishe? his headquarters Jat the Pao An Men, which stands at the south eastern corner of the ity and overlooks the railways as it runs southward towards Changsha fand the fighting line. Guns have been mounted on this part of the wall. Rumour has it that these are to be used on Wu's own troops they retreat. "Marshal Wu's gun. boats are standing by in the river at the south western corner of the wall, presumably for the purpose of beating a hurried retreat if the necessity should arise. The maintenance of peace within the city has been handed over to the Chief of Police.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.