at Taku and Tangku have a rough time of it with the military. An eye-witness affirms that the German guard placed near the new German wharf amused themselves by compelling every Chinaman that passed to salute them, More fun than harm was caused by this if the kicking of the unfortunate coolie who failed to understand was lete out of the programme; but Nemesis lurked. One soldier had particularly distinguished himself in catering for the general amusement but an officer caught him in flagrant delicto and spoke a few words that made the follow retire with a most sheepish look. From this it is evident the officers are not altogether cognisant of the doings of the rank and file. The French—also from an eye-witness—are unsparing in this roughness, At an evening mobilisation of the coolies a few strayed from the crowd with the result that a soldier charged and butted the wanderers in the back with his head in a manner that would have brought tears of envy into the eyes of the best-trained Masonic Goat. The sufferers were sent flying on their stomachs and scraped along the ground. When they picked themselves up in bewildered wonderment, their excoriated hands and faces told thit the shock had been severe. It is also said the French make the coolies they have commandeered work for their food only. This current report may not be true and it were well if it was contradicted. All the other Powers give the labourers good wages for their labour, THE POOR MERCHANTMAN, There is a great difficulty in obtaining coolies to discharge and load the merchant steamers as the military absorb the most of them and only relent when the ship serves some purpose of their own, such as conveying stores, ete. Even here there is a tardiness which causes wonder considering the near approach of the closing of the rt. The coolies will not work night time cause of fear; naturally the merchant steamers are detained at Taku for an exceptional period. Add to this the proba bilities of sticking on the Bar for a few days
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.