We are able to give, below, a rough translation of the Taotai's circular to the Native merchants, which we referred last week in our news Summary; and on another page will be found a tran of a pertinent article from the Slunpao, explaining its purport, and protesting against the exaction.
The move appears to be very similar to that of the Customs Taotai at Tientsin, and is not a happy inauguration of the Taotai's reign. A Defence tax was imposed in Shanghai during the days of the Rebellion, and has never been abandoned, although the collection has be materially relaxed. The Taotai now insists on its full payment, and the Shunpao very pertinently aske why Shanghai of sll places should be subjected to such impost? For it seems to be peculiar to Shanghai; and the Siunpao might have remarked that Shanghai has always bee? indebted for its defence—even during the rebel times when the tax was instituted—tothe protection of foreigners. It common remark among Chinese at the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.