As Yunnan is situated at such a remote distance from the capital, Li Hung-chang sent officers to construct telegraph line from Pichieh in Kueichow to Mengize in Yunnan which was to be the trunk line of the Yiimnan and Kueichow telegraphs. At the request of Tson Yii-ying, the former Governor-General, an extension of some 2,500 Li was made to Poai and Téngyiieh and on the completion of these lines memorialist applied for permission to reconmend those officers who distinguished theniwseve on this service for rewards on the ground of extraordinary merit. This the Board disallowed alleging that this service differed from that on the construction of the military lines along the coast " plea of ordinary merit only could be advanced. Memorialist would submit. that the construction of telegraph lines in China is a thin of com. paratively recent origin and that there fs not any very great difference between the construction of the original trunk lines and that of newer extensions. He would that the basis on which the degree of merit should be decided should be the degree of danger und difficulty encountered. Poni and Téngyiieh are situated on the remote confines of the Empire in the malarial districts and the degree of Inbour and hardship that working there entails is uiuch more severe than in the nuritime provinces. Moreover officers engaged the construction of the line from Nanning to Poai were recommended on the ground of extraordinary' merit, why net those engaged on the construction of the Tine from Poni ty Méngtze, an undertaking ten times more dificult and dangerous? "If it is alleged that the const lines are milita Hines and hence were in rialist would point out t telegraph line was mainly instrumental in quickly suppressing the Kk headed Ly Wei Bing-ting. to only Wards on the basis of ordinary these oticers would slight on the Yonnar tele axe surely not unimportant po mneniorialist. sincerely former request will be granted.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.