Peking, Nov. 7.
A memorial has been sent to the Central Government by members of the Shantung Provincial Assembly saying that early this year (about February last) a man, named Lan Vu-chin, dug out about 30 varieties of gems and historic, curios in the region of Mingchuntang, near to historic Chowminetang, which lies behind Toshan. The articles in question were sold to a curio dealer, named Chien Vu-ying, who carries on business in Tsinanfu. The price paid was 1,300 tiao (strings of cash).
These facts were discovered by gentry residing in the district.
The memorial points out that the place where the gems were found had been held sacred by Emperors through all the dynasties in memory of the Chow dynasty. This fact can be verified by history. In the days of Chien Lung many valuable articles were dug out, but when this was brought to the knowledge of the Throne an edict was issued ordering that the gems be again buried.
Among the articles dug up recently were wine cups beautifully carved, a large pearl and several fine jade seals in addition to other valuable gems, all of the Chow dynasty and very valuable to the nation as revelations of the culture of that period.
AN INVESTIGATION, In the first instance, as soon as the facts came out, many people petitioned the local Magistrate to redeem the articles and have them placed in the Taian Museum. where they would be the property of the people.
The Magistrate summoned Tan and, on being questioned, the latter confessed that the facts were og stated. The curio dealer was Iso summoned. He acknowledged the purchases, but stated that he had bought the gems from a member of the Provincial Assembly, named Li Wen-lin, for 3,000 tiao.
The local Education Commissioner and the Treasurer of the Education Fund then petitioned the yamen to secure the articles from the curio dealer. The curio dealer and Li Wen-lin protested against redemption.
At this juncture a new Magistrate came into office and released T.an and Chien without holding an investigation.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.