Frost & Comnsroxoext Chengtu, Jan. 24.
Two Chinese gun-boats, the Wel-shen and Teshen, have been sent to Szechuan ey the Central Government at the request of General Liu Hsiang to strengthen the defence at Kauifu ind Wanhsien. On arrival at Chen lingcht, however, these boats could not proceed further on account of the very low water level and they are now to be replaced by smaller craft of the shallow draft type.
Joint defensive measures are being contemplated by Chengtu and its neighbouring districts. The leading oticers of the militia, representing more than ten counties, have adopted formal resolutions which are 10 be put into. effect.
The Exchange shareholders held a meeting on January 22 and suspended the functioning of the Exchange for period of three months as from February 1. All transactions were to bbe settled not later than January 31.
"Ten special offices have been set by the local bank of Chungking} {for changing its $10 or $5 notes into '$1 or half-dollar notes. This is a counter-stroke against" the high prema charged by the local money-Tenders:
The Ministry of Finance has been instructed to take steps for the abolition of various kind of surtaxes and contributions now—collected in Szechuan, but the premium collection Practice, which was abolished two rouths ago, hes again reared its head. This is regarded as unoMcial, if not legal, but when one kind of local currency hay to be changed for another, the conversion is invariably made according to the current rates.
General Lift Hsiang has issued tw: proclamations prohibiting tepreci lon of the value of bank notes issued by. the Tocal Bank of Chungking and the Land Tax Bonds issued by the ist Army, and also laying a ban fon the collection of premium Szechuan silver dollars in exchange for Shanghai dollars.
The construction of a high road from Enshih. ta Wanfuto, covering a distance of 450 kilometres, has been ordered by General Chiang Kai-shek, {o facilitate the transportation Engineers have already left 'Hankow to start the construction of the road. Of the thirteen highways in South Szechuan, five have ceased Gperation. The present emergency is {neplring' the authorities to re-open these disused roads.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.