Feb. 17.
Since yesterday, more information has come to hand respecting the complicated political situation. The report that Gen. Den Chiheo had arrived at Longchuannie was incorrect. Gen. Lan still holds that district for Liu I-chin, and has not gone over to Gen. Den. Yo*be sure, overtures have been made,-and the question is still in a state of flux, but no fighting of any account is taking place. There exists a state of armed neutrality, owing to the news from Peking that Gen. Liu Chen-hao has been appointed. Tuchun for Sze-wan.
It is said that Liu I-chin and Liu Chen-hao are now in communication and it is evident: that the present Commander-in-Chief would rather turn over to Liu Chen-hao than to Den Chi-heo. At present Liu Chen-hao's troops, under Brig.-Gen. Lan Chin-chi, are preventing Den Chiheo and Chen Kuo-dong from making their forward advance on the capital. Liu I-chin, while impressing coolies from everywhere for his commissarist, still holds Chengtu, He is ready to move the moment it is necessary. He seems to have no intention of fighting to remain, but will retire in good order. The burning question now is, who will be the next Governor?
A rumour is also afloat to the effect that Gen. Dan Meng-hsin, taking advantage of Den Chi-heo's leaving Chungking, is on his way by the small river to Chungking, to get in by the back door. There are always envious eyes on Chung-because the revenue there is considerable. Den Chi-heo is on the big road, not more than two days from the capital, and will certainly make a determined dash to capture the prize of Governorship if he can.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.