Notices were posted in various streets to the effect that the Chinese Marine Corps and local Police Force were now responsible for the keeping of law and order. The notices also warned people against spreading false rumours, adding that "severe punishment would be the lot of those who ignored this injunction Considerable surprise was felt when, on the morning of January 17, the Kunglee, a Chinese vessel which had been laid up for weeks owing to the blockade, was found to have left for Dairen. When the s. Leetung showed signs of following her example, however, she was refused permission by the acting authorities:
British representatives and chief officers of the Cninese marines and police force, frequently meet to discuss the best means of protecting the port from unruly elements. There is no doubt in the minds of foreign residents that if it were not for the tutoring offers of H.M. Consul, Mr. 1s. L. Burdett, things would have been a great deal worse than they are.
On January 23 Commander Ma, of the Chinese Marine Corps, left Weihaiwei in the Taksang, the Chamber of Commerce taking over a number of his marines for police duty the rest being disband On January 24 a Japanese destroyer and a supply ship entered the eastern end of the harbour, but these left again within a few hoars.
At the end of December, Surg.- Cmdr. and Mrs. A. C. Shaw with their daughter left Weihaiwei for home, in the midst of many regrets by those they were leaving behind. Surg-Cmdr. Shaw will long be remembered for his tact, urbanity and kindliness, his wife and daughter for their friendliness and charm. They are ably succeeded by Surg-Cmd, and Mrs. A. A. Pomfret, who with their two small girls, arrived in time to spend their first Christmas in Weihaiwei.
Conditions at the moment, are, on the whole, more settled than they have been for some time, though there is' still cause for a certain amount of anxiety in a community which has always been noted for peace and orderliness—even in the dark days of 1900/27,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.