October 14, 1899.]
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THE MINING REGULATIONS. When the Tsungli-Yamen conjointly with the Mining and Railway Bureau in Peking al- tered the existing mining regulations, we took occasion to protest againt the amendments aud to urge foreign ministers to make a united en- deavour to have them changed. Now that the amendments have been studied and discussed by capitalists in London and other western centres, the result of the Chinese action is bearing fruit. Last year half a dozen large com- panies and several-private syndicates were formed in the western world to exploit the min- eral resources of China and to, if possible. find a field for the profitable employment of a little of that surplus capital which exists. Engineers and representatives were sent out, and these gen tlemen have, quietly and unostentatiously, thoroughly explored the country. In some cases we are in a position to state that their reports were highly satisfactory, but owing to the arbitrary conditions placed upon mining by the Imperial authorities, nothing further is be- ing done. Many of the concerns interested are withdrawing their representatives, and in disgust have decided to leave China severely alone. The main points in new regulations which are objectionable are, firstly, the regu- both parties have received a rebuff from the House. This cycle spelt disaster centuries be.
lation which states that all mines have to be under Chinese management. This rule is, on the face of it, an absurdity, for no sane foreigner is ever likely to invest a sent in any mining proposition controlled
by Chinese. Another absurd rule is that
the Chinese should control half the shares, in place of three-tenths as provided for under the old regime, and equally objectionable is a regulation which provides that work shall be commenced within six months. When framing the regulations the authorities at Peking very probably had in view a scheme for stopping the mineral development of China altogether, and in surrounding mining with such absurd condi- tions they certainly have achieved their end. Individually ministers have protested to the Tsangli-Yamen against the obnoxious amend- ments, but until bold and united action is taken the Chinese will simply laugh in their capacious sleeves and insist upon the carrying out of the regulations. Some of the would be concessionaires, and not a few old residents of China, hold that the regulations are, from start to finish, nothing but a huge pieos of blaff, which were never intended and never will be treated as binding on either party, This argument is all very well in its way, and it would be interesting to see what sort of a reception a concessionaire would get if he at tempted to place on the London market a Chi- nese mineral grant and hoodwink the public by saying that the conditions under which his concessions were granted were nothing but moonshine.-Shanghai Daily Press.
AFFAIRS IN PEKING.
We translate the following notes published in the Universal Gazette and other vernacular papers regarding affairs in Peking, confirming the news sent us by c our native correspondent in the capital
THE CHINESE CALENDAR.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.</ wards her nephew's party, for, not long after, point nearly half-way inside and surrounded on at an andienos of Jung La before the Empress all sides by forts, the Japanese leading erniser Dowager in the Grand Council Chamber,, she was met by a steam-launch with a Russian official pointedly asked him who Ya Chêng-ko was. who boarded the vessel and verbally communi- Knowing that his aunt knew the antecedents cated the intelligence which had been indicated of this Cousor Jung Lu boldly confessed that, by the signal outside the harbour, and at the two years ago when the Reformer Kang Yu-wei same time warned the Japanese captain that went up to Peking from Canton, for his Doo- | further penetration into the harbour would be tor's degree at the Triennial Examinations, Yu resisted. To emphasise the declaration a com. Cheng-ko bad charge of the ward in which motion was observed by those board in the land Kang Yu-wei was writing his essays, and that forts and soon it was seen that menacing pre- he it was who passed the Reformer's papers and paration were being made. Russian warships strongly recommended the bestowing of the inside the basin were also observed to be hastily Doctor's or chinshih degree upon the candidate. getting up steam and altogether matters looked When Jung Lu had explained this the Empress decidedly unpleasant. The Japanese captain Dowager simply smiled at her nephew, and al- then simply bowed out his Russian visitor and though she said nothing every one in the Cham- the cruisers retired.-N. C'. Daily News. ber knew perfeetly well that she meant Jung Lu to feel that since he was the chief instru- ment in destroying Kang Yu-wei's party, there was no love lost between them and their des troyer, and that it struck her as odd that her nephew should keep at his side one of Kang Yu-wei's friends-the very man who had brought Kang into prominence by being the primary cause of his getting his high degree and so giving him (Kang) the opportunity of introduc. ing his reform ideas to the Emperor. Although Empress Dowager people seem to think that Jung Lu is really more in favour than his rival. A new arrival from Peking who had been received in audience in the Grand Connoil Chamber lately, reports that he found his Ma- jesty Kuang Hsu looking very well, and that the Emperor asked him several' questions about the province from whence he had come. The Empress Dowager, however, looked worn and thin. This is explained by the fact that. over since the coup de'tat last year, she has been in constant fear of assassination, con- fining herself constantly within her Palace and never leaving it until a few days ago to pray for rain at the Temple of the Most High. Close confinement inside the Palace and hard work day and night in reading memorials and writing out Rescripts in the Emperor's name, with the feeling that she is standing on a volcano, have had their effect.
A correspondent writing from Peking states, in connection with the various rumours of unrest in the capital, that all Manchu officials he has met and questioned on the subject are unanimous in predicting some great upheaval amongst officials of pure Chinese descent this is in the government in the near future, whereas not generally believed. The surface seems calm enough; bribes are still being given and received for help in procuring posts in the government; Metropolitan officials wear no anxiety in their countenances, while others are buying peaceok feather decorations, etc., as if they expected perfect peace to reign in the Empire for the next two decades.
Chang Yon-mao. Director-General of mines in Chibli and Jeho, who is a protege of Jung Lu, has been denounced by Prince Ching's Censor, Yang Chung-yi, on sight counts, as regards the mines under him. It is feared that mining-work in those regions will be set back in consequence, although it is not known as yet who is to be appointed to investigate the charges.-N. C. Daily News.
it
AN UNLUCKY MONTH. present Manchu dynasty the year on which the According to the historical records of the Keng-te cycle with the 8th intercalary month falls has always brought disaster to the country wide-spread inundations or rebellions, or the in some shape, either through extreme drought, death of an important member of the Imperial fore the Manchu entered China, but when fell in the second Manchu Emperor, Kang changed condition of the House the fatal 8th Hai's reign (1660), thinking that under the intercalary month could be ignored, his Majesty months. The result was disastrous and myriads made no change in the usual sequence of the of the people of China suffered. The lesson and when the Keng-tze eyole fell during the was taken to heart by subsequent Emperors reigns of Yung Cheng (1720) Chien Lung (1780) and Tao Kuang (1840) the 8th interos- lary month was eliminated and some other month intercalated instead. The usually fatal cycle passed off in peace with the arbitrary changes made and the Imperial Astronomers disasters threatened by the cycle, were satisfled. who warned these Emperors of the impending
The Keng-tae cycle, is now again at hand and falls in 1990. Had the liberal-minded Kuang Han still been in power he would doubt. less have laughed at the ill-omened prophesies of the grave and superstitions Imperial Astro- ago, to recommend a change in the intercalary nomers who begged to be allowed, few days
replied by ordering an entire change from the month of next year, and would probably have lunar to the solar year, in order to be in keep ing with the months and dates of Western countries. Unfortunately the Conservatives are in power and Kuang Hsu is powerless. The consequence is that the 8th intercalary month of next year will probably be changed to the 4th or 5th intercalary month.-N. C. Daily News.
MARSHAL SU'S MOVEMENTS.
Shanghai, 3rd October. As anticipated, Marshal Su started for Nan- king yesterday morning in the Chinese cruiser Tongyingchou for an interview with Viceroy Lin. It is reported in mandarin circles that H.E. goes to arrange concerning the funds for
THE RECENT RUMOUR OF A RUSSO- the payment of the new Army Corps he is to
JAPANESE WAR.
The rivalry of Jung La and Prinse Ching has become so bitter that all disguise is now thrown away and whenever the two meet they never fail to abuse each other, charging one another with disloyalty and treachery. So great is the rivalry and so anxious are the rivals
It will be remembered that a short time ago to gain friends to their side that when officials Chinese in the North were excited by rumours from the provinces go to Peking for audience of an impending war between Russia and Japan, and, as in duty bound, call upon the two most and to such an extent were these believed that powerful Ministers of the Imperial Court, they many southerners doing business in Newchwang, are confidentially advised not to call upon the Port Arthur, and Chefoo sent their families to chief of the other party. It seems that Jung Shanghai and elsewhere for safety. A Tientsin Lu has been particularly energetic in this way, mandarin now in Shanghai gives the following The head Consor of Prince Ching's party is explanation of the origin of the rumours, which Yang Chung-yi and that of Jung Lu'a, Tü must be taken for what it is worth. Two Japa- Cheng-ko. Since July last these Censors have
nese cruisers were about six weeks ago in the Gulf been constant denouncing the opposition chiefs. of Pechili and at one time appeared before Port So frequent have their memorials been that Arthur. As the cruisers had the appearance they have actutally bored the Empress Dowager, of intending to steam inside the port, the who recently showed her displeasure by com. Russian officer at the outer signal station hoisted manding the Ministers of the Grand Council to
a signal implying that the port was closed to publicly reprimand Yang Chung-yi, Prince foreign ships of war. The Japanese senior Ching's head Censor. Little time, however, was officer in command of the two oraisers, however, given to the friends of Jung La to rejoice at pretended not to understand the Russian signal this proof of the Empress Dowager's leaning to- | and steamed straight for the harbour. At
raise and command in this province upon his re- turn from marking out the French boundaries at Kuangobouwan. This work has been in aboy- ance since the lease was made last winter, owing to the extra demands of the French territory which the high provincial authorities of Kwang- tung refused to grant.-N. G. Daily News.
A BIG SQUEEZE.
Shanghai will remember the dimonities they Foreign owners of foreshore land, etc., in
had not long ago with the importunity and aggressiveness of the newly-established Shengko Bureau under the prefect Hsu. It has now transpired that this official managed to make considerable haul out of his dealings in this foreshore question, especially as regarded land belonging to native owners on this side of the Huangpu, and in Pootung and Woosung (Pao- shan district). Hsu, who is now prefect of Huaianfu (Kiangpeh), it
appears, has bean de- nounced to the Throne on the charge of pocket-
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