Soochow, Jan. 8.
Conditions "in Soothów remain üncháhged. Business has improved Slightly ' and -the -country -people continue. to -complain of robbers. "Phe. prices of wood -have gone steadily up and supplies are becoming limited. The timber that is now being cut has required about fifteen years to grow and in case the present use continues acute shortage must be felt by next year.
Rice is quoted today ae $21 for one picul. One-of the biggest - troubles right now ' is "shortage. of small change. This-hits the pedlar and the small shop very hard. Large stores either are crediting the customer with an advance deposit or requesting exact change with purchase.
Some deaths of beggars from exposure ate being reported. Rice is being distributed from several centres and clothing given, but should weather become colder there will be much suffering on the part of the very poor.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.