The frequent predictions made last February, at the time the present Governor Lu took up his office, to the effect that he would not last the year out seem about to come true if the many rumours current here these few days are to be given credence. The reason given is #hat there is serious disaffection between the Civil Governor and Tuli, Ma Lien-chia.
Of course it is not to be supposed that the Governor would leave his post of his own accord, and of a truth there are plenty who are opposed to him and would be more than pleased to see him go. But the report is that the real reason for the impending change is that the civil and military" heads of the province, like two boys in a game of keeps,' cannot agree and one accuses the other of cheating.
It is generally acknowledged that much of the agriculture section of north Anhui was this year sown to poppy. This was not only sanctioned by those in authority but it is freely claimed that the farmers were compelled to plant it so that the increased revenue from the tax would go to swell the purses of the military. Now that the crop is in and the tax gathered it appears that the Tuli stationed at Pengpu who is in immediate charge of this thriving opium traffic and who has collected, it is said, to the amount of several million dollars, is now accused by the Civil Governor of not dividing with him fairly and threatens to resign by way of retaliation. It is argued that resignation on the part of the Civil Governor would lay the whole matter open to exposure thus bringing revenge upon the one who has treated him. so unjustly. But others maintain that such exposure would not penetrate the thick, well tanned skin of the military chieftain who dwells in the open country around Pengpu.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.