Fae Oce Owx Comnesroxvext, Huchow, Che. Feb. 8.
The situation at Huchow continues somewhat tense. The temperature of fear seems to be rising. When fighting was near by the populace was panic-stricken but the *|news of the "peace" terms quieted things down considerably. As men conscripted from the streets have not been returned to their homes tthe first feeling of safety and relic? has passed and the fear complex is again on the rise.
Contributory to this feeling of uneasiness is the fact that several launch trains of ammunition and [field pieces have been seen passing, the city going towards Dzang. shing, within the past. two day To-day "a small detaciament of arrived from Hangchow find have been garrisoned here at Huchow. They are fully. equipped the field, but expect te be quartered here for some time One of the advisors of General mwas reported to have stopped over la Huchow last night on his way to Dangshing. He is said to have stated that unless conditions there are more favourable than re-
Jeent reports indicate, a battle will very likely take place in that sector before many days have elapsed.
Whether this is true or not the fact "remains that the Chekiang forces at Dzangshing have not oven shifted" through this cit and all indications point i an armed truce rather than a real peace. At any rate the relie€ organizations of the missionary compounds are being, maintained in readiness for refugee work. Several thousand. el have been registered take refuge in the event of trouble, None of the stores of rice prepared luring the recent scare have been removed.
Business here is practically at a and streets are very Many firms have not opened up at all since soldiers were sent ward Dzangshing some weeks Tu spite of the uncertainty. 60 pupils have returned to the Soochow University. Third Middle Schoot located here. "Virginia School for has postponed its opening unt Feorney 16." The local hospital is again feeling the effect. of the tary situation us the sick are too frightened to leave their homes. Many wards are empty and the daily clinic has fallen from 80 to 20 or even less some days.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.