The Recent Fire—Chinese Journal's Demand For an Investigation—Dangers of Motor Traffic—More Regulation Wanted—The Hopeless Government—Disbandment in Kiangeu The dilatory attitude or utter helplessness displayed by the Peking Government in matters relating to the recapture of Urga and defence of Outer Mongolia has aroused the disgust of the nation, and much caustic comment has appeared in the Chinese Press on this subject. The crop of sensational rumours regarding the monarchists' activities and other Political intrigues, is regarded as the natural offspring from seeds of disaffection sown by militarists at times of trouble and unrest. Although common people, being very credulous, may feel somewhat alarmed, the more enlightened class appear to be inclined to discount these rumours which, they say, may have been spread by interested persons or parties to serve their own purposes. Anyhow, most of the educated Chinese do not consider the prospect for any monarchist coup to be bright. Indeed, they believe that any such attempt, if made now, is bound to end in ignominious Failure.
Tue Impotency or THe TucHuns.
Very few, if any, of the Tuchuns can really depend upon their men in an emergency, Matters have reached such a pass at present that it is a question whether a tuchun would care to risk incurring the displeasure of the people by making any false move. Neither would he dare to offend his own troops. He would consider himself lucky indeed if he was not of his office and ejected from his province, as has been the fate of more than one of his brother tuchuns. Hence, so many of these brave men are vehemently proclaiming their determination to observe the Monroe doctrine in their interprovincial relations, and to refrain hence forth from interesting themselves in matters other than those concerning their own respective jurisdictions.
In response to repeated urgings from the Government, Tsao Kun and Chang Tso-lin are reported to be showing signs of relenting, especially the latter who has promised to come to Peking as soon as he can after his birthday. It is not difficult fo predict that their presence in Peking cannot relieve the Government of its financial embarrassment, nor will it Relp much in the execution of the Army Reduction Scheme. However, their coming together may portend some startling change in the political situation, it is generally believed.
Epucation aNp SeL¥-GOVBENMENT.
Lack of funds for the prosecution of educational works has driven the school faculties who have received absenting himself from cabinet meetings. A clamour is being made by the educationists for the creation of an independent education budget in future.
It is still the fond hope of the people that they will gain the right of self-government, which the officials are not likely to grant without a tough struggle. Self-government schemes and regulations are being drafted in Hunan and Szechuan with the cognizance of the commanders-in-chief there of (the highest military officer in either province has refused to assume the title of Tuchun,) but there whi be still many a slip between the cup and lip.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.