It is, however, refreshing to find one oasis in the desert of meek and "'umble" foreign officials in the days of compromise and scuttle. Such a man exists at Kiu-Kiang in the person of a Consul, proving that a firm hand and courteous manner are not yet things of the past. The Chinese had been permitted to build a pavilion on the Bund, within the Concession, in which to receive high Chinese officials and with their usual effrontery had contrived to get a guard established there without the consent: of the foreigners. The Consul wisely insisted that these should be removed and after long parleying the Chinese officials agreed to withdraw one half. Then down came the foreigners' foot and they now demand that not only shall the soldiers be withdrawn but the whole fabric is also to be removed. This is exactly AS IT SHOULD BE, for there can be no doubt the wily Celestial diplomats are inclined to the opinion that the affair at Sungpu was sufficient intimidation to prevent the foreigners pushing home their requests. Another matter has also being dealt with in the same spirit, The two Russian tea factories are now in full swing and employ about one thousand operatives. The old plan of shutting and locking the gates of the Settlement at 9 p.m. had been allowed to lapse, and the night shift coolies allowed to go in and out at will. Lately, however, they have abused this privilege and made night. hideous with their noises after a bout of samshit drinking. This the foreigners naturally resented and were determined to sop. otice was given that, the gates would be locked; but' the first night a crowd intimidated the policeman and the order was not executed. Meantime the Esk had arrived and the Consul communicated with her commander, and the, following night had them locked puno; tually to time. A crowd collected and hooted but did not allow themselves further licence; no doubt restrained by the presence of the gunboat.
Then the sequel appeared, conjured or spontaneous, and a coolie collected a mob in the Settlement by declaring he had been shot in the leg by a foreigner and was promptly locked up for his trouble. Such things are not, I believe, unknown to foreigners as the prelude to a riot, as Chinkiang can testify. This is as far as wre shall go with the same skipper at the we have got at present and as far as
helm. The Settlement has been cleared of Chinese inhabitants and all treaty regulations strictly enjoined and adhered to, and there can be little doubt of the eventual success of such a wise policy, for nu one realises quicker than a Celestial when business is meant.
29th July.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.