The people of Szechuen, he went on, are all agog over the high taxes! exacted by the Provincial Government, and there were persistent Fumours of an impending clash be. {ween the national and provincial troops.
Other rumours, Mr. Nakajima declared, charged Japan with an {intention to Jauneh an ale attack on. the province.
When Mr, Nakajima arrived in' Chengtu, he' was greeted by. three officials, who escorted im 10 a frst lass hotel Tater, a Mr. Yang, Director of the Third Section' of the Chenetu Police Bureau, called on Me. Nakajima to express' his regrets regarding last Year's attack on four Jananese.
Mr, Yang. the Japanese traveller noted, "graduated from the "Higher Normal School in, Tokyo. Although 85 per cent. of Chengtu's population '2f $10,000 are illiterate, there are 300 Sapanese-educated men, some of whom hold high positions inthe municipal government, Mr, Nakajima He Femained in Chengtu for three days, inspecting points. of interest, Including the Tachuan Hotel, where the two Japanese nowspapernien were Japanese goods, the traveller said, finding a ready. markd in the interior of China, snd" Nippon-made beer was served at the Chengtu Hotel where he stayed.
During his 88-day tour of the Yangtze valley, Mr. Nakalime visited 15 towns and' cities, Ready Market for Japanese Goods Although anti-Japanese sentiment)
still strong in the interior of} 'China, Nippon-made goods apparently find a ready and an ever-growing market, according "to Major-Gen. 'Selichi' Kita, military attache to the Japanese Embassy in China, Major.-Gen. Kita returned here on May 20 by air from Chengtu, after a 16-day journey which took him For the first time, the annual pilgrimage to Zose beld under the auspices of the Apostleship of Prayer on May 23 was made by motor Buses instead of by boat and train via Sungkiang. April 25 was the riginal date fixed for the pilgrimage but owing to prior booking by private parties nothing could be Olfered by the companies when approached by the Apostleship of Prayer.
Consequently, the pilgrimage wa: postponed for a month but owing. the existing facilities for reaching the hills every week-end the response to the invitation was disappointing although some 40 or 50 peas the pilgrimage at Zose travelling in their own cars.
The main party made the trip in seven buses, one of which was sent to St. Plerre's in the French Concession for. the convenience of the people of that parish and the other six buses made their starting point at the Shanghai Catholic Circle. At 6 'm. sharp the buses from Hongkew started the Journey and called at St. Plerre's en route to pick up a few passengers from the Western district, The first bus arrived at its destination at 7.45 and was followed by others at intervals of two minutes. Owing to a breakdown of one bus near Sungkiang an "S.0.." telephone fall was made to Zose and a bus was despatched to the stranded party to bring them to the Hills, which wa reached later, AN the pilgrims assembled at the foot of the hill and proceeded in procession to the first Station of the Cross, reciting the Rosary on the way. Father Lennon said the prayers at the" different' stations, the crowd joining in the singing. arrival at the top of the Hill the church was found filled to its utmost capacity as there were several groups of Chinese: pilgrims from, different districts who came to take part in the celebration of Zose's patronal feast "Our Lady Help of Christians" which takes place each year on May 24.
Mass was said by Father Lefevre, Superior of the Mission. The A. Choir rendered some excellent seieetions from their Repertoire both during the Mass andthe Benediction, that followed. Owing to the very large number of communions, distributed by three priests, the re igious part of the programme wi over only at 11.18 and the party was free to do as they pleased until the hour fixed for the return journey.
Hiking, rowing, swimming, fishing and hill climbing were indulged in freely until 5, and although some uses started "on their homeward Journey an hour earlier the younger crowd remained until last, Although not @ sunny day the weather was exceptionally pleasant and mild.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.