Under the new Mission" as the French employes of the arsenal call themselves, the arsenal does not seem to do very much. No more seems to be done, and no greater signs of activity or inactivity spear than might have been seen any time the last five years. The half year has been spent, if Turnouts ate to be trusted, in wrangling, the assertion of position, and appeals to the capital to obtain the dismissal of some one or more obstructive persons. Onowould almost think the place belonged to the great Lay anes and the Chinese were allowed to bring a little work to be done from time to time. But they are going to do something at last. A tug and a small cruiser are to be put in hand forthwith, and we shall see how they get along, when it comes actual work. So far the only business has been preliminary, at half a lac of dollars per month. The wages bill of the new constructions will be worth inspection.
On Tuesday, the 10th, the keel of a new ship was laid, at which function itis said the Tartar General was present,—more or less on sufferance—although he is the Chinese chief of the establishment. There is a difference between to-day and the times of long ago, when Giquel was at the head of the arsenal and a servant of the Chinese.
Rumour says the Director, HI. Doyére, is about to take a trip to France to select foremen, and so forth, to put in charge of the workshops.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.