There is a good deal of petty banditry in some sections of this country. The area which was cleaned up some years ego of armed bandits is again harassed by local rufflans who send a request for a certain amount on a date set, and they come to the house and negotiate as though it were a bona fide transaction. There is no redress, but if properly done the original amount may be' lestened considerably.
Schools have closed early because of the high prices of food. Teachers are scarce and salaries too low, so that institutions have some difficulty in getting teaching staffs, unless they are prepared to raise salaries or Provide bonuses. The provincial educational authorities "have opened a normal training class or' classes in Leiyang, where each primary school is requested to send at least one representative.
Hunan seems to have a gold mining craze on in various sections and some zold is being sifted out of the sands; nuggets have been found in Siangtan county: Many farmers are working at this during the winter days and, Chungking, Jan. 31.
No peace overtures have been received in Chungking either from Japan directly or through Wang Ching-wei, official quarters here said today, common ing on the statement made in Tokyo yesterday by Foreign Minister Ycsuk Matsuoka of Japan, in wust he announced Japan's abandoara' policy of not dealing with the Chumgking. regime, It is but natural, these quarters added, that Mr. Matsuoka should attempt to placate public opinion in Japan, which is weary of the war, and he is hoping agains hop extricate Japan from the China affair jon order to give her a free hand in pushing towards the South Seas.
However, they stressed, his efforts lore doomed' to failure, for General Chicng Kai-shek's attitude remains unchanged and China will not accept avy porce terms failing to recognize territorial and administrative integrity.—Havas.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.