It appears that the local Chinese authorities are wisely exerting themselves to allay the excitements and discussions caused primarily by the dissemination of rumour. The root of the trouble lies in the tendency of a certain class of sheet to give precipitate hospitality to the wildest story without verification. Once printed ahd circulated the rumour shows such a clean pair of heels that the most vigorous pursuit by dementis may fail to overtake it. An example is afforded by the efforts which have been made to deny the report that Japanese marines had been disarmed and interned in the Settlement. Embroidered with new details the fantasy crops up again merrily indifferent to the categorical disproof emanating from disinterested sources. Another bright feat of fiction has given currency to the assertion that six Japanese warships have been sunk in the Whangpoo. The basis for this absurdity is the sinking of certain Japanese ships to form the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.