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Yanglin (see Intelligence Report, March quarter) has been again revived, and it is now suggested that a commencement should be made in the autumn, I do not think that anything in this direction will be done this year.
The proposed Chinese railway from Yunnan-fu into Szechuan has been the subject of common talk. A Swiss engineer, M. Meister, is, I hear, on the point of being engaged by the Provincial Railway Board, for what purpose I do not yet know. M. Meister was formerly engineer-in-charge of the Namti or first section of the French railway in Yünnan. M. Meister, in conversation with me, was disposed to be very sanguine that this Chinese line would be shortly taken in hand, and attributed a keen anxiety to the Chinese for rail connection with Szechuan so as to be independent of the French Yunnan Railway. I am informed by a subordinate in the Provincial Railway Board Office that 700,000 taels (81,000.) in cash and promises represents the total railway fund for Yunnan at the present time. Several mule loads of share certificates printed in Japan arrived in May last, but there has been no demand for them. The official opinion at Yunnan-fu appears to be pessimistic in regard to this line.
It is persistently reported that two American railway engineers have been engaged for work on the Yunnan-Szechuan line. Dr. Mazzolani, who has opportunities of hearing things denied to me, tells me that an American engineer has been engaged as adviser to the Provincial Board, and will arrive here in the autumn. The Administrator of Foreign Affairs, Shih Tseng, however, has declared on more than one occasion, both to the French consul and myself, that the Provincial Railway Board have not engaged any foreigners.
(b.) Commercial Summary.
Foreign Firms at Yünnan-fu.--The foreign firms established at Yünnan-fu, four in number, are all French, viz., L'Union commerciale indo-chinoise, Messrs. Charrière and Co., Messrs. Barbage, and Messrs. Pasquier and Co. The first named has a new manager, M. Lallier. The former manager resigned in disgust at the lack of interest taken in the Yunnan business by head-quarters. He told me two or three stories which appeared amazing, and revealed the extraordinary apathy of the head office at Hanoi. One was that he had obtained a contract for the supply of a large quantity of steel to the arsenal, and had telegraphed for a quotation price. The price given was so low that he had demanded a repetition. The second telegram confirmed the first. His com- prador proceeded to settle the contract with the arsenal authorities, when a letter was received from Hanoi pointing out that a mistake had been made in the telegraphic quotation, and giving a very much higher figure. The firm refused to abide by the comprador's agreement, and the latter was compelled to "square" before he could get the contract cancelled. He left the firm. Another instauce was the supply of uniforms for the soldiers in Yünnan, The local agent was offered the contract at the same price as was paid last year. The head office demanded a higher rate, and the contract was accepted at the lower figure by Pasquier and Co., who are agents for the German firm of Speidel and Co. I had occasion to complain to the local agent of Messrs. Charrière and Co, of the non-arrival of some electric bells ordered two months previously and promised within a month, and I cancelled the order. The agent (a Frenchman) told me he was exceedingly glad of this opportunity to be able to write a strong letter to his firm at Hanoi, and he proceeded to pour out his woes. His tale, if true, showed an astounding side of French commercial enterprise in Yünnan.
Messrs. Barbage have obtained a contract for the electric lighting of the Normal College, but I understand that the firm is living a good deal on hopes. Messrs. Pasquier are interested in silk and general commission business. They have an agreement with Messrs. Speidel, a German firm at Hanoi, to sell only goods supplied by that firm.
Chinese Merchants gloomy.-There have been no new developments of trade, and Chinese merchants are very gloomy as to the future.
Cheap Food Food for man and beast still remains at abnormally low prices, and the prospects for a good rice harvest are favourable. The common people and the soldiers at Yunnan-fu are taking largely to wheat flour (5 lbs. for a penny) as an auxiliary to rice diet. Small hand four mills would, I think, find a ready sale.
(c.) Army.
Recruits. The newly-enrolled recruits are being drilled. The material (Yunnan) is not as good as the Szechuan or Cantonese soldier, either in physique or intelligence. The Chinese officers declare, however, that they prefer the Yunnan man, as he is more amenable to discipline.
Disease. Venereal disease is very prevalent in the ranks. It has been proposed to establish brothels under official supervision for soldiers and civilians. The proposal has been favourably received in official quarters, but I understand that no definite steps have yet been taken. A moderate estimate of the number of public prostitutes at Yunnan-fu is 3,000, and I am assured by the European doctors that they consider that a large proportion of these are diseased. The arms referred to in my last intelligence report have been arriving at intervals during the quarter.
Increase of Military Forces.-It is stated that Li Ching-hsi has obtained the advance of 2,000,000 taels for military expenses, and the promise of an annual sub- vention of 260,000 taels. This money is to be employed in the equipment of 12,000 additional troops. The number of foreign armed and drilled men will thus be increased to 24,000.
(d.) Relations with Chinese Officials.
These have been satisfactory.
(e.) Movements of Chinese Officials.
Chin-shu-sheng, the titular prefect of Yunnan-fu, returned from Peking in April last, and was shortly afterwards sent to Ssumao as acting taotai. The post is not considered to be a lucrative one. Mr. Chin was at Tengyuch during the issue of the anti-missionary placards (P.C., No. 39 of 1908).
(f.) Movements of Foreign Officials.
Departure of French vice-consul.-M. Soulié, interpreter of the French consulates left Yunnan-fu and has been replaced by M. Crépin, formerly at Mengtse.
Visit of Mr. Coggin Brown.--Mr. Coggin Brown, of the Geological Survey of India, passed though Yunnan-fu in May. He was very well received by the high officials here, and the governor-general invited him to dinner. During his stay he made the acquaintance of Liu-bsiao-tsu Taotai, in charge of mining interests, and advised him as to the location of a coal mine in the neighbourhood. Liu Taotai has now taken steps to develop this mine, and has expressed his gratitude for Mr. Coggin Brown's expert advice, The latter was careful in his conversation with the officials to convey the impression that he was investigating the geology and mines in Yünnan from a purely scientific point of view.
He reports that he has received no sort of hindrance, official or private, in his travels. I do not doubt that this was very largely due to the tactful manner in which his investigations have been conducted.
(g.) Reforms.
At the invitation of the literary chancellor, I examined three of the classes of the Faug Yen College in English subjects. The average age of the students is about 20, although they range from 15 to 25. Eight hours a week are devoted to the study of the English, French, and Japanese languages, but there are separate classes for each of these. The school hours, which struck me as too long, are occupied also with Chinese literature, geography, arithmetic, history, and drawing. The teachers are none of them Yunnan men and are imperfectly understood, and although they know the text-books The standard of the scholars fairly well they do not seem to be well-educated men."
was not high, although one or two among them were exceptionally intelligent. Making due allowance for the short time the college had been opened-14 months-I gave an encouraging report. I spent an interesting day at the school, and was entertained to lunch by the literary chancellor and the teaching staff. The governor-general appeared to have been greatly picased with the result of the visit, and the literary chancellor has asked me to hold an examination at the Normal College at a later date.
The Normal College contains about 600 students, and has room for 1,000. They The numbers indicate that in are being trained to become schoolmasters in Yünnan. years to come the province will possess a number of disappointed schoolmasters--a somewhat dangerous class for Yunnan, where there is little or no scope for other employment for these men. The annual cost of the Normal College is 60,000 taels (7,000). The cost of the electric-light installation is to be partly met by the stoppage of light allowance to the students, 1 tael (2s. 4d.) a-head monthly.
In May last I visited the new prison erected by Hsi Liang at a cost of 80,000 taels (9,2607). At present it holds 200 male and 23 female prisoners. There is also a
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