Hangchow, May 12.
"Planters of opium will be shot" is the bold official announcement that meets the aye of the farmer up and down the province, Chekiang cials have the spotlight of vigilance fon this disastrous and destructive drug trade, and the publicity trumpet of warning Is heard on every hand.
Perhaps the most pathetic sight one can witness is the procession of con~ demned traders and addicts of opium and morphia, ar they are paraded the ireers tothe execution ground to meet the penalty of death, This is not an uncommon Incident in the whirl and current of Hangchow life, Public opinion 1s growing in sympathy with the Administration for the suppression of the scourge of drugs and plum and in one section of the prov-Ince, at least. it is" well over a quarter of a century since the last field of poppy was seen, and then it was being ploughed up in the presence of the district magistrate, The haunting sense of gloom continues to darken business prospects general. Large crowds are attract ed to the exhibition of native manufactures and u poster reminds people that "The revival of home products the sure fore-runner of 9 sound economic basis." The exhibits at this business. fair are meant to: promote a closer gequaintanee with the famous comacrelal wares for which Chekiang and Kiangsi are noted. Emphasis is laid on the fact that now, these two provinees being vitally connected by the new railway, trad~ Ing facilities ore cheap and con venient and interchange of commerce should make Jor the mutual benefit of euch,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.