It has been persistently rumoured here and these. rumours have also been "exported" to the effect that the local Munlelpal authorities are receiving a monthly subsidy from nilllowners in Japan to protect and prevent damage to. their property here and on broaching the matter to those concerned, your correspondent was emphatically informed that these Tumours are malicious lies spread to Giseredit the Mayor, who has been doing his best to preserve peace and order. However, if and when the hhecessity arises, it is the opinion that will perforce, have to follow out hig line of duty as circumstances All banks, Chinese and foreign, are functioning normally and have not been closed and there has been no panic as was mentioned in some of the papers recently. On the Ist of this month, vessels alongside the wharves were ordered to clear and anchor in the outer harbour after Sunset as a precautionary measure, but this order was rescinded the following day. One of the North China papers of the 13th carried an Jatleged statement by a Japanese Consular spokesman to the effect that. Admiral Shen was "overwhelmed" communist influences which had entered into and were operating in Tsingtao, but this news does not seem to be founded on fact, Malt Population Gone The population here " sce the Inception of the troubles in this port has decreased by perhaps more than. 180 per cent. and by every vessel Teaving Tsingtao, more go. The train service to Tsinanfu has been auf-mented and at present there are two trains running dally. The parcel vast service which was disrupted at the beginning of the month, has now been restored. The Social Burewu, under Commissioner F.T, Ley, has. been taking stens to regulate" the price of coal and arrange for facillies to increase local stocks which are running low, and the price for household quality is now controlled at $22 per ton—profitecring isnot permitted and is punishable.
Residents are faced with a comparatively heavy refusee problem and the International Relict Com. mittee is tackling the problem to the est of their abilities with public' donations. There are over 5,000 destitute Chinese to be cared for—
2.000 of these are workless Tsingtao mill hands and their families and the other 3,000 are mostly natives of Hopet who fled their homes during the fighting in the North and are now umble fo return there.
Symbolical of the close friendship between the U. S. and H. M. navies, race meeting was held here on December 5, participated in by the officers and personnel of the U. S. Marblehead "and H. M.S, Suffolk, under the auspices of the Paper Hunt Club, There were six races in all, There was a race for "bearers," another for "snotties." one for officers.
relay race with teams of six a side. and two others. The rig-outs of some of the jockeys were a joy for the eyes, nnd considering that some: fof the lads Ind only commenced Tearning lo ride here, a few short weeks ago, it was surprising that There were no stretcher eases.
Some of the boys exhibited rest rodeo skill in hanging on ant the public who were charged an entrance fee for the privilege of participating in the sweeps and betting, thoroughly enjoyed the fun and did not resent Tesing for the sweet cause of charity. About $500 was realized for the Refugee Fund. The meet ended in a draw between the two competing: ships, as each won three events and.
izes In the shape of cups and Shields were awarded to the winners: by Mrs. Campbell, wife of the Commissioner of Customs, who very. graciously complimented them on their unsuspected skill in equine navigation.
While writing the above, a long series of terrific explosions is rending BY sapajou the air, and the sky in the direction of the' mill districts is 1it up bright, with a heavy pall of smoke drifting out (0 sea ina northerly direction, A cold north wind is blowing—the time fs now 10 pam. and since 8 pin. the detonations have been continuous, Tt is apparent that the long-anticipated destruction of the Japanese cotton mills is under way. What the next few days or hours will bring, remains to be seen.
At 730 a.m. three more loud explosions were heard and at 8 am, the screeching sirens announcing the approach of Japanese planes was heard and three planes passed over~ head. More planes came over during the course of the morning, each being heralded by the screaming sirens. Apparently these planes are observing only, as no bombs were dropped.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.