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results in this direction than it is as yet possible to perceive. Crop prospects are, however, reported as poor to the west of Talifu (West Yünnan) and Chu-ching-fu (East Yunnan), owing to floods.
Poverty. In spite of the low prices of food in and about Yunnan-fu, suicides on account of poverty are reported as more frequent this year.
(c.) Army and Navy.
Guns.--The new Krupp mountain guns were tried at the end of September in presence of the acting governor-general, who has invited me to attend the next trials.
Military Hospital-The site for the new military hospital has been chosen outside the south gate, and building has commenced. Mr. Feng, the staff-surgeon of the Lu-chun, tells me that he will be placed in charge of this hospital as soon as it is ready.
Satisfactory.
(d.) Relations with Chinese Officials.
(e.) Movements of Chinese Officials.
Commissioner of Customs.-M. Grevedon, commissioner of customs at Mengtse, visited Yunnan-fu in September to arrange for the purchase of land for the use of the Imperial Maritime Customs. He secured two pieces, one in close proximity to the French railway station (outside the south gate), and the other adjoining our consular site outside the north gate. The deeds have been drawn up and the purchase-money handed over, but they have not yet been signed, as a difference of opinion arose at the last moment whether the land should be held in the name of the Inspector-General of Imperial Maritime Customs or the Shui-wu Ch'u. The matter has been referred to Peking.
Administrator of Foreign Affairs.--Shih Tseng, the provincial judge, has been It is believed that he has appointed Administrator of Foreign Affairs for Yünnan.
been also recommended for the post of Chinese Minister at Paris by Hsi Liang, and he may yet get that post, which he desires greatly. His appointment as administrator is unfortunate for Yunnan, I think. In spite of his many amiable personal qualities,
He is withal a man of he is too nervous for the post and too ignorant of his work.
no strong character or unusual ability, and has on more than one occasion endeavoured to cover his mistakes by playing on his colleagues' ignorance of things European.
Prefect Liu. Liu-chun, formerly prefect at Yünnan-fu and afterwards acting taotai at Tengyueh, has returned from his investigation of the murder of Dr. Brunhueber and M. Schumitz. He is now confirined in his appointment of Prefect of Yünnan-fu. The acting governor-general told me privately that he is not satisfied with the present taotai at Tengyueh, and was thinking of recommending Liu-chun for the post.
Tseng Taotai has been replaced by Kung-hsin-chan, who speaks English. I have not yet met Mr. Kung.
The French consul tells me that there is an understanding between the French Legation and the Chinese Government that the Administrator of Foreign Affairs shall always be a French-speaking official.
(f.) Movements of Foreign Officials.
French Minister.-M. de Margerie, the French Minister designate at Peking, arrived at Mengtse on the 27th September, and left after a stay of twenty-four hours. He did not come to Yunnan-fu.
(g.) Reforms.
Mint. I have revisited the mint, arsenal, and new prison. At the mint rupees bearing the inscriptions" Yünnan province "-" silver coin," and nothing else, either in Chinese or English, are being struck. The coin is intended to deceive the Burman, and it is hoped that it will pass current as a rupee in Burmah.
Arsenal-Some new machinery has arrived for the arsenal, but the working superintendent, Mr. Wei, seems discouraged by the lack of official interest.
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New Prison.The industrial department of the new prison has now been organised. Chairs, tables, metal cups, common tools, and writing paper are being made under skilled supervision.
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General-At the close of fifteen months' stay at Yunnan-fu, I venture to submit the opinion that the reform programme has little practical result to show at the (present time. There is, however, a great deal to display on paper, and I do not doubt that Yunnan reforms bulk largely in the pigeon-holes at Peking. The high officials at Yunnan-fu, with whom I have had the opportunity of mixing freely, are capable lot, taken as a whole. Their weakness appears to be in proposing too many and too ambitious schemes for which the province is not yet ready--but that way promotion lies. It is not so much the apathy of the Yunnanese or the poverty of the province which drags Yünnan down from the path of reform. The misfortune of Yunnan is the gentry of Yunnan-fu. Their anti-foreign attitude might be pardonably mistaken for patriotism, but the ignorance, conceit, and corruption of their leaders—- Ch'en-yung-ch'ang, ex-Literary Chancellor of Kueichou, and Wang-hung-t'u, the millionaire parvenu, are perhaps unsurpassed throughout the rest of China.
I regret to have to report that during my stay at Yunnan-fu I have not been able to see any certain signs of an enlightened public opinion or a genuine desire for reform on Western lines.
E. C. WILTON.
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