Peace prevails here, and we trust, it will not again be disturbed. Everyone seems to expect a move of some kind soon and these fears have been confirmed by the daily arrival of troops, and lately by the coming' of over two thousand of the transport corps. Drilling has been going on apace these last few weeks and the men are being hammered into good trim, so that, if there should be a fight they most likely would give a good account of themselves, as they are said (by their enemies) to have done last year. Though it has been said that there is no notion in.the minds of some of the big leaders of going against the south, the preparations of the last few weeks shorn to give the lie to such accounts. On the other hand, this may all be window-dressing for the benefit of their southern friends, who no doubt know quite well.
Rain is very badly needed in }order to allow of the fields being prepared for the rice crops, and if it does not come soon the price of rice will again rise, causing suffering to many. So far, some of the officials have opposed the free opening of opium dens in this city, though they have been opened in the country hsiens and in many of the towns surrounding Kanchow and a very rich harvest is now being reaped by some. When anyone desires to open place for the smoking of opium, he must apply to the proper office, giving the required details as to name, address, and size of the place, then hand in $13 and 1eceive a paper which says that ne has been fined $13 for selling opium, after which he is free to open for business right away. This, they say, has been forced through by the General in charge, who came here from Western Kiangsi with a very good reputa tion for helping the people. He certainly has lost it here, and has been opposed by both the Taoyin and the Asien magistrate, who have issued a joint proclamation against it; they will assuredly regret the step in the demoralization of their soldiers which will certainly follow. merchants decided to stop buying Japanese goods at a meeting yesterday at the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. the Chairman reported that. the exchange shops, grain merchants, and drug, paper-hat and shoe dealers were joining the boycott movement.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.