Kueiyang, March 12.
Word has been received that Peking has appointed a Commission to investigate the salt trade and consumption in Kueichow with a view to removing the tax on that article. As the salt tax yields a large revenue each year the authorities did not welcome the news, and so far as I have been able to ascertain, did not reply to the telegram sent by the Commission.
About $20,000 derived from opium tax was being sent to the capital from Panhsien in the west of the province, when the soldiers escorting it decided to appropriate it for themselves. They have made off in the direction of Yunnan and have taken the money with them.
As his term of office has expired Mr. Jen Ko-ts'en has resigned his position as Civil Governor. The militar, authorities together with the Provincial Assembly and others have asked him to continue in office. He has consented to do so providing that all parties endeavour to bring about the return of General Wang Wen-hua at an early date. From letters received it appears that General Wang will romain in Shanghai for several months, so his immediate return is out of the question.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.