News has just been received from Kuan-hsien, N.W. of Cobagtn, that a proclamation hag heel issued in that place by the Viceroy, stating that mining rights have been given to the French and that the people are not to interfere with them. French engineers are eaid to be on the spot and will commence work immediately, How far this is correct T cannot say, but it would be a surprise one if it were true.
We hear daily of French demands, the extent of which causes considerable amusement, one being the right to control all the mines south of a line drawn from Tachienlu to Suiluug, to the Yangtze River. This is a big order, and no doubt the French would like it, but it is to be hoped they will bea little more modest in their demands, or else by chance the Foreign Office may get to hear of it and put some belief in the reports sent by their Consuls of French activity in Szechuan.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.