The impression thus gained that even Anglophiles, though endeavouring to persuade themselves that the opinions of the vernacular papers are incorrect, find difficulty, because the British Government, though denying that the project is directed against Japan, does not explain why, then, it is necessary ito make the base large enough to only other potential enemies in the Far East are France, Holland and America, The naval forces of the first two Powers, in these waters do not require capital ships to suppress them, whilst the general opinion in Japan is that m war between Britain and America is un-that she ran aground just at the end of last season, and was not re-floated Lill the spring, when she was taken to Shanghai and repaired at great expense. She did one trip and on her way up the second time ran on rocks just below Feng Tu, and is said to be a total loss. Happily the Th Ling was near and took off her passengers, crew, and mail.
All the ships with the exception of the British are (the Asiatic Petroleum boats not included), off the run and the others are making a rich harvest as the freights have gone up. Mr. Blunt, the Ichang British Consul who has been at Chungking trying to settle up the differences, and stop the anti-British boycott is returning here to-morrow. Mr. Pratt having taken his place at Chungking.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.