It appears from an Imperial Decree that the Governor of Shantung, Chang Yao, has prayed the Emperor to despatch " High commissioner from Peking to superintend the works which are to.be undertaken in connection with the Yellow River in that province, "The Emperor declares that he been much troubled in spirit by the repeated floods which have occurred in that region, and he sees the immediate rece: of undertaking some works which will manently preserve the people on the er banks from the recurrence of the calamities which overwhelm them. As Governor of Shuntung, Chang Yao has been for several years in charge of the river; and durin; Yat time he has displayed' energy an independence of thought in dealing with it. He tow announces that, after studying the plans adopted in former times, and investi-present local conditions, he has arrived at a conclusion as to what should be done. He is therefore desired by the Emperor to utilise the knowledge which he has acquired, and carry into effect the plans which he has framed. He must give his heart and soul to the work, and so must the officers under his orders, In order to uvald the evils of divided responsibility, no officer will be sent from the capital to join him in the superintendence of the undertaking. He must not shrink from the difficulties of the task, nor be deterred by the fear of unpopularity. His action will be in no way fettered by instructions from Peking. Merely, he must make his main object the clearing and opening of the channel, dredging the main bed, and embanking the north shore. As scun as he can estimate the expenditure which will be incurred, he is ordered to send ina report to the supreme Government, which will arrange for the providing of the funds. Lastly, he is desired to furnish a plan, with explanations attached, showing the various sections of the works and the new mouth at Hanchiyuan.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.