Wuhu Rice Delayed on Way to Szechuen Peiping. Jan. 24.
The Japanese have been markedly tess In evidence in the north during recent months. There has been a complete cessation of the former facta of aggression and of the complaints and. threatening demands that so often preceded further advances, Indeed, it almost looks as it) the Central Government were beginning (0 pluck up course once more to assert Its direct authority, Over the various administrations of North China, The replacement of Mr. Chen Chung-fu as Chairman of the Foreign Relations "Committee of the Hopel-Chahar Political Council by Mr. Chia Yeh-tao, under direct instruc tions from Nanking, is regarded in some circles here asa proof of the renewed, Interest of the Central Government in northern affairs. If, ay Japanese press reports state, the Japanese authorities in Peiping have protested "against this: change, 05 being contrary to the terms of the Ho-Umetsu Agreement, this would at any rate confirm that the appointment was made without consulting them, Certainly the first time such a thing has happened for two years.
"There has also been much talk bbohind the scenes, that the Japanese have for some time been dissatisfied with Mr, Yin Ju-keng and have even begun to lose interest in East Hopel og-an autonomous area, Tt is rum~ ured that in return for certain de-Anite economic concessions,—they might even be prepared to allow this: territory to be re-incorporated with Hopel. The question still at Isque Is said to be, whether it is to be done under the direct auspices of Nanking or whether as a gesture by Gen, Sung Che-yuen. That is to say, whether the Central Government would Instruct Sung to take charge for East Hopel, or whether he would notify Nanking. that thanks to his excellent relations with the Japanese hho has been able to obtain the re-Incorporation of that territory.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.