The Necessity for Economy and Disbandment of Troops Peking, Mar. 15.
The Cabinet to-day sent a long telegram to the provinces urging the necessity of re-unification as soon as possible.
It pointed out that the Washing-fon Conference had agreed to increase the Customs duties to an effective 5 per cent., and eventually to 7} per cent., which is estimated to give an additional revenue of some $30,000,000.
This, however, will not remove the necessity for economy, the most important question of which is the disbandment of superfluous troops. Moreover, now is the time to adjust domestic differences so that the people of China can work together for the best interests of their country.
Once unification is achieved, other outstanding matters could be attended to in turn. The provinces should also forward suggestions in that connexion.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.