The Imperial Decree issued on the 11th inst. should be noted by foreigners. Asking for money is not a popular thing, therefore Kunng Hu has todo it. The favours are distributed by the Empress Dowager. 'This a "squeezing" Decree, the Board of Mining, the gold mines of Shantung and Chibli, the Tientsin Railway, the likin officials, salt-tax collectors, ete., are roundly accused' of amassing wealth for themselves with no regard for justice (or what is worse) for the dire necessities of the Government, The people have given the money; s0 far good, and they are to be commended, but the cash has failed to reach Peking, which is simply horrid. Hence there must be rapid repentance and reform. All deficits must be immediately made up, then for-possibly favours—will follow. Failing this, Commissioners will be despatched to "ferret all out." Then instant and untempered retribution will fall on all transgressors, and no penitence. will be of the least use, Possibly this will bring some silver to Peking. Certainly it gives the officials a splendid excuse for increased activity towards their victims, and last but not least, it may lend to many disturbances among an already over-burdened and irritated people.
20th July.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.