With the disappearance of some of the mobile forces of the landscape a new and immobile feature has suddenly appeared. Since the Communist Invasion of last March small. brick Dlockhouses have been built outside most of the villages and on top of many of the hills and cliffs inthe hope that the discharge of a few guns find the appearance of an active defence may scare prospective invaders: into more promising territory. That these tiny fortresses could have much permanent value against an invading army is much to be doubted.
'Another change that the last year brought" was the, Introduction' of national currency anknoles, For many years, apart from sliver dollars, nothing but Shansi banknotes or local currency notes was admitted into the province. Some years ago, it will be Temembered, provincial ' banknotes. collapsed entirely and from time. lime there is a nervousness in using the present issue which displays itself {in a fluctuating discount of a few per. cent. in relation to the national anknites now in. general use.
Farmers are anxiously watching the skies for signs of snow or rain. There has been no downfall of consequence
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.