Hankow, Jan. 6.
The 625-ton river gunboat, H. M. S. Cockchafer, sailed for Kiukiang at 6 o'clock this morning to relieve H. M. S. Mantis. Mr. G. S. Moss, the British Consul-General at Hankow, was aboard the Cockchafer. The purpose of his visit to Kiukiang is reported to be to investigate matters concerning British property and also the rumour that the British inhabitants are evacuating.
H. M. S. Cricket, with the British Consul at Nanking, Mr. H. L Prideaux-Bruno, and the Military Attache, Lt.-Col. Lovat-Fraser aboard, is expected in Nanking to-morrow morning.—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.