The following is the Inspector-General's reply to the appeal, the text of which we published more than a month ago. There is not much sympathy or comfort in it for the sufferers, and it will be seen that at its date the 1 not been laid before It is to be hoped note cheering news; but meanwhile they are losing heart Inapectorate General of Customs, Peking, 13th January 1898.
Siz,—I am in receipt of your despatch No 1,942 of the 23rd December Appeal for readjustment of salaries from Foreign Staff in Customs forwented and in reply live to state that 1 fully understand how the fall in exchange has affected all classes and if I were myself in a position to give effect to my wishes salaries would be issued to all Europeans at the rate of exchange which ruled when the Service was first established; power to act thus, as you very well know, is not in my hands, and as the fixed otice allowance can only'be increased after an Imperial Decree has given approval of a Yamen Memorial proposing such increase, it will he necessary to submit the matter to the amen, and this I shall presently do, am, Sir, Your obedient servant, (Signed) Rovere Harr, A. E. Hueristry, Exq., Comunissioner of, Customs, Tientsin.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.