It seems certain now that the promised reinforcements which were expected to come from every side are being effectually held back in the mountain passes, by the opposing forces that were sent against. them, and as the siege reaches its 65th day little hope is now entertained that they will ever arrive. However, the morale of the besieging army seems to have been effected as in recent days their attacks upon the city have been less effective and sporadic, while on nearly every side of the city the opposing forces have been driven back from the wall a considerable distance. At lease three of the city gates are daily slightly opened for the free access of sold~ ers and civilians with passes, In order to save the. ammunition und reserve the best for the final struggle, modern warfare is fast giving way to ancient military methhods. The field gun with its explosive shells is heard no more, but fu its place the ancient brass and iron cannon that have laid at the city gates for centuries, half buried the earth have been' dug up and now bark and roar in anger as they cast their lorn slugs out at the opposing forces. Machine guns have ceased to shatter, but instead Tong, ancient iron pieces stand ready to defy to foe, Modern bombs, have not been used, but recently packages of powder eneased in tin or iron eases, and with fuses attached ready to light and throw are now held readiness along the wall where it is suspected the enemy may try and Jaunch a supprise attack. ians Request Cessation of Hestilities.
June 6.
'To-tay the gentry, merchants, and scholars held a meeting in' the Chamber of Commerce to which missionaries were invited, The chairman, sin Tung, stated the object of the meeting wax to din-cuss what stops the city might take fon behalf of peace. idlerable disewssion a written to Tone Shui-chen, com> manding the outside forces request meet a delegation repre We the citizens of Kueilin, Tenge to state the time and place of meeting and to name the rou over which the delegates. should travel should the request be granted, and asking that protection be offered the delegates.
T sense the situation aright it appears that really both sides are quite willing, if xious, to stop fighting, but neither side can say s¢ plainly and maintain the desired "Face." Therefore if a third party—a—non-combatant-—steps in anid on behalf of the suiter ing civilian population axe for a cessation of hostilities oth sides will fell reticent and will candescent to grant this request, while doubtless maintaining most vigorously that they were both prepared to continue the struggle for another year it
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.