Hankow, Jan. 25.
The Soviet Embassy in Hankow was completely destroyed by fire to-night. The fre broke out on the ground floor at about 8:30 this evening and, within a few minutes, had spread to the root.
suggestion of sabotage was made by a foreigner who stated that, he distinctly heard an explosion' shortly before the. fire broke out. The foreimer, whose house "is" directly behind the Embassy building, said that @ few minutes after the explosion he saw flames leaping to the sky—Reuter. fo Hankow the following day. On the day of his departure, however, Japanese aeroplanes bombed Hsia0- kang, thirty miles. north-west of hankow. and cruised' for three hours around Hankow.
Due to the afd. the aeroplane, which was to arrive in Hankow {rom Chunaking, to- take the Soviet Ambassador to his destination, failed to arrive in Hankow, Bad weather con-Gitions for the past four days also delayed the arrival of the plane.
Despite a steady drizzle, the plane finally arrived this morning from Chungking, and Mf. Luganets-Orelsky, Accompanied by five members of the Soviet Embassy staff, as well as representatives of the Chinese Foreign face, left in a giant monoplane at 2 pin.
The trip will take the Ambassador and his party through the Yangtze Gorges, one of China's, and probably the world's, most wonderful sights "The Ambassador will also be the frst foreign diplomat to present his credentials in the new Ceremonial [Hall in Chungking, the construction of which has just. been completed.
The date on which M. Luganets-Orelsky will present his credentials due to the delays, has not yet been fixed, but it Is believed that as soon fag he arrives in Chungking the cere-many will be performed, 'M. Luganets-Orelsky was Vice-Consul at Urumehl, the capital of Sinkiang Province. He became a mystery gute as soon as his appointment as Ambassador to China was announced.
Powerfully built, about six feet three inches tall, the new Soviet Ambassador, who is comparatively young. has avoided all interviews and social engagements since his arrival China, thus deepening the mystery surrounding him. He will, however, Fecelve the press immediately after he returns from Chungking, according to reports—Reuter.
Shanehol, Jan, 19.
Order and tranquil living conditions and railway service have been stored by the Japanese in the regions occupied north of the Yangtze, Japfanese reports said yesterday.
Service has been resumed on the lometre railway line between Pukow and Chu-hsien. on the Tien {sin-Pukow line, following the completion of repairs by Japanese At the time Japanese troops entered Chuhsien the population numbered about 00 persons. but now it has in-Jerensed to about 8.000, the reporte said, The population of. Laian-hsien about 20 kilometres north-east Chushslen, which was estimated at 5.000 at the time of the Japanese occuriation, has doubled asp to" the resent time.
Peace Preservation Commissions! were organized. In many towns and Changchun, Jan, 18, The State Council announces today that Manchoukuo has agreed to the appointment of Signor Cortese, Italian Consul-General tu Mukden, as the frst Italian Minister to Manchoukuo.
At the same time it is stated that Hsu Shao-hsiang, Mayor of JChangehun, has been selected as [Manchoukuo Minister to Italy, The formal appointment of Mr. Hsu is expected shortly.—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.