The excitement and air of expectancy is hardly less in Hankow native city than it is in Wuchang. The wives and families of all who have the means or accommodation have moved to the greater protection of the concessions. Merchants are also moving their goods to concession warehouses and the roads contain a never ending stream of leoolies carrying bales of silk and valuable merchandise to places of safety. The coolies and ricsha men Jare making small fortunes. One was heard to say to his companies, "There are 10 things. Let us open jour mouths at $26." The fear in Hankow is of looting by the hooliwans and soldiers. Happily, the great majority of the latter have crossed the river unarmed. ly to happen is that Wuchang and hold Hanyang and Kilometre 10, in which lease the outlook for the immediate ture for Wuhan is black indeed, ince the rival armies would face! one another across the river something approaching a stalemate. [On the other hand is must be remembered that the further Chiang Kig-shek advances the longer become his communications. A small move by General Sun Chuan-fang and his Kiangsi troops on behalf Marshal Wu would necessitate the pid withdrawal of Chiang, since is communications would endangered. General Sun, however, does not seem to be disposed to make any such move at present. Marshal Wu is reaping the harvest Jof an overlong stay in the North land an underestimation of opponents. The morale of his troops is poor and they have very little stomach for a fight, whereas, fon the other hand, it is felt that {the Southerners in some degree are fighting for an ideal, which however Jerroneous it may be considered, gives them an enthusiasm entirely lacking amongst the Northerners. Tt is reported that the Southern [shock troops are largely composed students, whom I heard desseribed this" morning as hen teh hen. The Southerners are well disciplined and carry with them a good record, there being no instance of looting on any large _seale. Against this can be placed the fact that Marshal Wu, is not a popular figure here. He caused the dykes to be cut before, pleading military Inecessity and it has not been easily forgiven. Wuhan has suffered pillage at the hands of the Northerner before and this has not been forgotten. Moreover, the inflation of the tai piao, and consequent loss, 't9 many thousands, has been a sore point for many months and laid at Wu's door, through the medium of his henchman, General Chen Chia-mu, Tuli of Hupeh. He has also committed a bad error of judgment, which has led to the estrangement of many possible friends, by shooting several of his officers on his recent arrival. He has also ex-Jeeuted eight Cantonese students, who were convicted as spies. Here the [should be shot.
It would appear that the - best that can now be wished for the unfortunate city of Wuchang is that its fall be sudden, thus obviating fas far as possible the excesses that, Jare such to attend such an event.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.