"In short, as the matter concerns territory and as diplomatic dealings are difficult, no persons other than those who have handled the ques-ion can understand the details, and those who have already suffered, can understand the danger. Formerly the Manchu Government. made Hung Chun Envoy to Russia to define boundary lines with the Russians, and in uttering one word, several thousand li of land were lost. This is considered a very pitiful and fearful deed even up to the present time. Recently the Frenchmen demanded an extension and it was easily given to them. Until actual steps wore taken to mark the bounddary line and survey the extended place, it was not found out that a large tract of land had been lost. The indignation of the merchants and the regret of the officials have come too late. As the propered extension concerns us very intimately, we dare not fail to explain this to yon and to protest rea' extension. We hereby iny Governor and the Taoyin to mak personal inspection at the place concerned, so that care may be taken at the beginning, to avoid regret in future,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.