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Soochow, Feb. 26.
The Soochow population ¢ontifities to increase and there is evidence of many people io their homies. Econofuic pressure is making this necessary, since they can live here much cheaper than they can in Shanghai where rents are high. Streets are taking on a more business-like appearance and there seems to be more purpose in the growing crowds in the streets.
Rice shortage continues to press all. Very small amounts can be purchased and the price is ranging round $28 io $30. Meat has gone up and fuel too has kept pace. N is reported that beginning March 1, electric light charges will be increased. The sw: prising thing is that this has hot hafpened sooner. With the sharp ins crease in coal prices this was to be expected.
All schools are full to overflowing. Even then the children cannot all find places to study. Many of the former Government school buildings are being reconditioned ahd will be ready to receive students this Spring. Some mere re-opened last fall, but with the growing demand something further had to be done.
Petty thieving has greatly increased and iron bars on windows prove most attractive to certain strong arms that want to peddle the old iron. Much of this delinquency though, is due to the very desperate condition facing the poor.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.