Chefoo, May 31.
A startling series of fires during the last few weeks has caused much' suspicion owing to the doubtful origin of the outbreaks. Experts have been despatched by the insurance companies to investigate, but as far as can be ascertained, without any definite result. Fromi Chinese sources it is learned that on cath occasion someone has been arrested and detained in the yamen, and in the case of one parti-. cular outbreak it was rumoured that two men had received a sentence of 15 years' imprisonment, presumably for incendiarism, In the last outbreak the first forcvign hong to suffer in this manner, the China Merchants' Pongee Association, sustained serious losses. The whole stock of hairnets and ace was destroyed and part of the pongee, but thanks to timely foreign assistance the books and the remainder of the stock were saved. The premises were gutted. The fire originated in the next build? ing and quickly spread.
The foreign volunteer fire brigade, with the assistance of other foreigners, was quickly on! the scene, but owing to the exceeding dryness and lack of water, they had to confined themselves to limiting the destruc tion to the three buildings already in flames. In spite of the water difficulty and an unfavourable wind, they succeeded in preventing! further damage. Two Chinese lost! their lives on the occasion.
As we write huge columns of smoke can be seen ascending from! the same quarter of the town, mak: ing the sixth large outbreak in four weeks. The insurance com panies are giving the matter of increased premiums their earnest attention.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.