Below we give the translation of a petition from M. Gershmann, on behalf of a Russian syndicate, asking for certain mining rights in the Lisotung Peninsula, It is several respects a remarkable document, and particularly in the language applied to other foreigners competing for similar privileges. We understand that the mines specially alluded to have for years been worked by Messrs. Bandinel Ca., in concert with certain Chinese, hut a few months ayo the Russians sent up some engineers and took possession of the district without any apparent authority, Upon being appealed to, the Russian Minister at Peking declared' that his countrymen did not desire these mines, notwithstanding the fact that they had representatives in the district the Tartar General of igtien (Manchuria).
Thave the honour to draw your attention to the following proposals. Coal mines are essential to railways and are alya of great benefit to the Empire of China In the 8h moon of last year I had the honour t" present a petition' to H.E, E-ké-tang-6, former Tartar General of this province, in which I made a number of suggestions on the abore subject. In the middle of the 12th moon I had a personal interview with BLE. when I suggested the opening up of the coal mines of Wafangtien in Fuchou sub-prefecture (Liaotung Peninsula) and ata place called Taluyent'ai. T also. presented a written petition which I believe is now on record and can be examined into. In this petition I also suggested that should any place in the vicinity of the Above-noted conl mines prove to be capable of exploitation also, the lands should be noted down for purchase. To transport coal it would be necessary to construct branch lines of railway and that all lands bought should be paid for by the mow on the scale usually observed elsewhere when buying land for construction of railways, in order to prevent future litigation.
ing shafts for coal it was proposed that a royalty to the Government be paid, when coal was extracted, according to the nuinbe of shafts, at the rate of Tls. 17.50 p ar shaft per annum. In addition to the ab: it was proposed that the sum of 5 per cent. of the value of the coal ext meted: be further paid as a tax to the f sovernment and ip the event of the mit yes yielding larg, quantities of coal it was. estimated that the Government would oh' rain not less than Tls. 60,000 year in royalties? and taxes. This was the reason. why I declared. that these coal mines would be of great'
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.