There are two curious items of intelligence from China this
week, both of which bear directly upon the question of the future capital of China discussed in another column. The burning of the Imperial Library of Pekin with its collection of archives was, as we suspected at the time, ordered from Sian. The same thing was done by a previous Emperor who wanted., to start a new internal policy, and the act may mean that the Chinese Court bas decided on some course in the way ofreform, as Chinese understand it.. But the order may also have been extorted by counsellors who are determined that there shall be no return to Pekin. If the second item of news is true, we should say the transfer of the capital had been resolved on. .A Viceroy has been directed to lay a cable in the bed of the Hoang-ho, so that news may reach the Court either at Sian .or Henan, or any other point on' the river, without passing. over the land line. Au expense of that .kinclxvould-nOt'be• incurred if the Emperor there going back
permanently: to Pekin. . - • .
