The local Chinese authorities have protested to the Soviet Consulate about the wording of the Soviet Passports issued to Soviet citizens. The wording is entirely in Russia and the words "right to reside have replaced the word passport. The Consul replied that as the word passport was not Russian, " but French, a Russian translation had been made, but of course the Chinese did not fall to this, the word passport meaning the exact opposite to "right to reside," for passports were originally specially given only to persons who wished to go from one country to another. The Consul has thus been forced apply to Moscow, and no doubt the obnoxious words' will be changed, for the Chinese are quite right in' this instance, every non-treaty' subject being formal! to take out a "right to reside" permit at the Police Administration.
As regards White Russians, who stand how it is the Chinese Government does not fall in Itne with other countries belonging to the League of Nations and issue the so-called Nansen passport er certificate of identification. The issuing of this would be welcomed by the thousands of Russian emigres now residing in China and at the same time bring in some extra revenue to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is at liberty to charge' what it likes for them. The representative of the League of Nations to China for the last two years been trying to get Peking to agree, and he is now again in Peking on the same errand. Tt would in no way inter-fore with the police permit that i issued in the Special Area of Manchuria, as it has nothing to do with the right of residence.
As matters. stand now, a White Russian residing at Shanghai or: any other port wishing to come into this Area, has to get a passport from the Local Bureau of Foreign Affairs, which is taken away from him if he stays in Harbin for more than a few days and he is forced to take out a temporary police permit to reside longer, when he oF she wishes to return, permission has to be obtained first from the Police and then another application made to the Harbin Bureau of Foreign Affairs who issue a new Passport. All this procedure involves a great waste of time and the spending of 2 good deal of money, though the person does not go out of China, With the Nansen Passport, " great deal of this unnecessary bother would be avoided, for" visa on leaving each place is all that would be necessary, C.B, R. Contracts, The C, E. R. has of late been giving out some large contracts for railway supplies. The tender for new rails has been divided; bult to be supplied by a local firm representa ting French works and the other half between two German firms representing German concerns, The Railway Administration presented un estimate for this year's railway improvements amounting to some 382 million gold roubles. A' special commission appointed by the Railway Board, cut this down to 12) millions, and this amount will be all probability passed by the Board, The chief items of expenditure are as follows in round figures.
Gold-Roubies is a very good sign and shows that at lerist part of the rajl-Way profits ure to be spent on the spot. The cottage system of housing railwaymen is being done away with, and instead, large two story buildings with steam heating, bathroom and lavatory accommodation are to be erected. These will be divided into small self-contained flats, Electric light plants are to be installed at all important railway settlements along the line, and new school houses ure to be built for the use of children of railway workers.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.