(1) We have read a memorial by the Censor Chang Hsun-lid denouncing the un-Jerlings of the Chefoo Taotai for oppressing poor Inbourers from the prefectures of Tengchou and Laichou, i who go abroad to earn a living. accuses the Chefoo Customs Taotai's people of charging excessive fees to those who base to apply to the Customs for passports when they leave China to work abroad (the Siberian Railway is apparently meant—Translator), for poverty-stricken men like these can hardly afford to pay the exactions illegally demanded of them. We recently specially commanded our Viceroys and Governors to take special care of emigrants and people returning from abroad and are surprised that such a thing should be permitted to go on so near the Capital. Wo hereby command Yi Lu, Viceroy of Chili, and Yi Hsien, Governor of Shantung, to investigate the matter and instruct the Chefoo Taotai to make proper regu and charges for the issue of passports, Chinese going abroad, so that the burden oppressly upon these poor people. Olficials and underlings at the Customs and barriers found guilty of oppressing the pour emigrants are to he severely punished whenever complaint is made of them.
(2) Jao Té-hsien is appointed Brigadier-General of the P'uerh Circuit of Yunnan province.
Formerly. some one memorialised us suggesting that as the Government. wa need of funds for: the ent ional troops w tax should be from Inndlords and hou ices, chi sing percentage annual rents. their were indeed 11 commanded the Viceroys and Gu of the Linmgkiang, Hukwang, Mi and Two Kuang provinees to investigate the matter and of it were feasible tu pat the tax into operation. Weare, however, now afraid that dishonest officials have sought the occasion to further increase the burdens of our people and as we are severely against all such attempts at oppression we hereby command that the above-named tax be abolished from this date.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.