Gen. Hu Tsi-kia left here a few days ago with: his large army and commenced his long journey to-s- under water. wards the Szechuan frontier where it is expected that his army will be thrown into the scale against Wu Pei-fu. Needless to say that great things are expected from the Yunnanese who it must, be remembered have accomplished great things in the past when properly led, but the Szechuanese will also not forget that the greatest defeat the Yunnanese ever suffered was at their hands and they will undoubtedly attempt to emulate the deeds of their former comrades, making the outcome difficult. to foretell.
It appears that Gen. Tang has definitely thrown in his lot with those who are seeking to crush Wu Pei-fu, though. we have been informed that he has sent emissaries to Tsao Kun in the north, which would seem to imply that he is still on the fence. Gen. Tang of course is out for self preservation and to a certain extent is wise to try and keep the fighting as far away from Yunnan possible, and if Wu's soldiers can be kept out of Szechuan and Kueichow there is little danger of their coming into Yunnan.
The local papers are of course supporting the government's latest military adventures and it is really amusing to read some of the articles that are being published against Wu Pei-fu. One paper refers to him as Wu Ta-teo (dig head) and wonders whether he ought not to be styled Wu Lan-teo (Coolie Boss) for, says this paper, he is trying to carry the chair in which sit Tsao Kun and others and if he fails to support the_burden not only will poles be broken but the occupants of the chair will come to -grief. Much more of that style. When it is remembered that this same writer indulged in stronger language against the present regime when they were out of power, one realizes that it is not worth taking too much notice of. 4 In spite, however, of the present political chaos the port of Yunnanfu is fuller this year than ever
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.