The most interesting topic of the moment, at least to the Chinese, is the popular clamour for the abortion of the tuchunate and the institution of self government. Up to date 10 provinces have joined this movement. The Peking Gov-vernment is showing a jusewarm attitude in regard to this and other questions. tremier Chin lun-peng is accused of double-dealing, his efforts in trying to please everybody while oueading none, his elusive policy aided by his slippery tongue, and his paper reforms und reconstruction schemes, have been subjects of sarcastic criticism in the Chinese Press.
As the military autocrats have been and are being defeated one after another in their tussle with the people, peace prospects seem to be brighter, although it is a matter for regret that tae Government has alton secured peace at a price. Tsao Kun and Chang Pso-hn are believed to have reached the zenith of their power from which they will surely fall as their wedecessers have fallen. They ave been fed upon pride and con-celt, which will one day, cause their undoing. The Government is so weak at present that it has to consult these two generals on every question of importance. In reply to an inquiry for their ofimion on the abolition of the tuchunate, Chang Tso-lin says that "the time 18 not yet for such a step to be taken'" while Tsao Kun believes that it is the anarchists who have instigated the agitation.
'The ascendancy of the Shantung militarists, including Chin Yun-peng, Lu Yung-hsiang, Wang Chan-yuan and Chi Hsieh-yuan, is viewed with alarm, and much gratuitous advice is given this new party as regards the necessity to respect the people's wishes. Regarding the famine relief misappropriation penalties, it is generally thought that Government enactments can avail nothing and that it is more a matter of conscience than anything else that would prevent defalcations in such cases. The tragedy at the Tongshan mines; the need of an ordinance to safeguard the interests and protect the lives of the miners; the Civic League of Shanghai, which, the Chinese, being eligible, are urged to join since they take an interest in the administration of the Settlement; the depredations by Lung Chi. kuang's desperadoes; Sanménwan as a port for overseas Chinese; unity of the Navy at a price; conservation of foodstuffs; the wandering M.P.'s; wholesale suppress sion of the press in Canton, suggestions for the education; and purposes: of loans, real and fictitious are some of the questions also discussed, besides those summarized below.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.