These are little things but they illustrate a tendency which makes discussion of the presidency seem very absurd, Asa reaction perhaps against this very absurdity, the rumour that the Dictator was to bgcome President had scarcely been Inughed clown when the city was very much agog with gossip about a coming resters of the monarchy—but not of the Manchus, te for that topic is dead. In the Lora tions these rumours gain no credence and yet no one will venture tosay that a monarchy is an ime possible development. The tendency is certainly in that general direction and there has always been a faction within the Fengtien party ready to suggest that Marshal Chang be made King or Emperor at any pro-Pitious moment, "The writer has hoard of one exalted monarchist, now ju favour here, and several smaller men who believe that this fs propitious moment, bit he has heard from many other quarters the opinion that it would be rash and foolish. The cautious point out that the North now enjoys some security
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.