'The result of this agitation raised by the so-called Amalgamated Organizations has led to a demand locally for the lessening of the powers of foreign members of the Customs, but how far this goes, we have as' yet been unable to ascertain, Recently the Kuo Wen News. Agency, which is usually well-informed, in an elaborate report, said that the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce had fallen in with this scheme and had telegraphed to the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce to this effect. Sir Francia Aglen then was reported to have telegraphed ta the Chamber asking what its position in the matter was, The Chamber replied confirming A. representative of the "North-China Daily News' investigated the matter carefully on Tuesday and lite general conse of opinion amongst the Chinese merchants was, that i would be most unfortunate to withdraw the power of the Ins-poeter-General of Customs as without him, the bonds would not the worth the paper on which they. were printed. Tt was most doubtful that the merchants would place such confidence ju the joint treasury mentioned by the Chamber as they reposed in Sir Francis Aglen, foreigner though he is, A Put Up Job 'A word in connexion with the so-called National Amalgamation of Industrial and Commercial Organizations may not be out of place have, This organization, we are told, really does not exist except in hame. It certainly is onl one-man organization, Certa well-known members of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, realizing that the Chamber could not take this matter up on its own initiative, requested a certain Chinese legal practitioner to write 'a letter on the domestic bond issue and send it to the Chamber in the name of the so-called Amalgamated Supposed to Acquiesce Organizations. This was accordingly received and the Chamber acted in the manner described. Naturally this was denied by the Chamber, who had no knowledge of the so-called Amalgamation. Tt was admitted, however, that the telegrams were actually'sent out and that the contents given above were correct.
Sinking Funds The Inspector-General is said to have sent a telegram to the Chamber in which Sir Francis Aglen says that he agrees with the Chamber on the question of prior privileges as the latter had proposed. But again rumour comes in to say that he reminded the Chamber of the importance of considering carefully how sinking funds. affect public Joans and added that he would come: to Shanghai shortly to discuss the matter directly with the Chamber, the Shanghai Chinese Bankers' As sociation and Native Bankers'
Guild.
Inquiries at the Custom House failed to elicit any confirmation as to the proposed vi Aglen and we wer had such a decision been made, Shanghai ins Commissioner 9 would have been informed.
Chinese Banks' Attitude Three Million Dollars Said to Be Available Peking, Feb. 10.
In order to devise means tiding over the financial crisis for the Chinese New Year, a Cabinet meeting was held at the residence of the Chief Executive, Marshal Tuan Chi-jui, from 11 o'clock last night to 5 o'clock this morning, when it was decided to allot $3,000,- 000 of the national treasury as follows:—
The Metropolitan police forces and the Ministry of Education are each to receive 70per cent. of the sum required; the Ministry of the Navy and the Chief Executive Gffice Jess than 50 per cent.; the rest of the Governmental departments 50 per cent. General Yueh Wei-chun, Tupan of Honan, the sum of $100,000 and Chinese diplomats broad $50,000, It has als been decided that these sums will be simultaneously! Paid out to-morrow.
Officials of the Ministry of] Justice, who have been in 9 con-on of sabotage on account
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.