5th August.
Germans After Chinese Labourers, 'A Canton letter states that certain Germans have arrived there with the object of getting labourers to work at certain mines, presumably in Shantung province, although this has not been plainly stated for the present to outsiders. On receiving notice of this from the German Consul, Viceroy Tsen Ch'un-hsien deputed the matter to an official of prefect rank with instructions to cou-for with the German visitors as to the treatment of Chinese labourers working at the mines. It is stated that Viceroy Ten is willing to allow the enlistment of labourers in Kuangtung province on condition that they be guaranteed the best of treatment and avoid the cruelty and harshness that was accorded by representatives of a certain other country to such Chinese labourers as*responded to their invitation to enlist. If the Germans consent to give the liberal and kind treatment asked for, his Excellency the Viceroy has stated his willingness to grant the necessary permission to open an enlisting agency, and also issue a proclamation in his own name to that effect.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.