Peking, Dec. 3.
The representatives of the Consortium have addressed a strong protest to Chow Tsu-chi, the Minister of Finance, in regard to his recent communication to the press, containing as it did matters discussed at a private meeting. Special exception is taken to the Minister's letter in that, in the opinion of the Consortium, it is calculated to mislead.
The Consortium's note refers to the meeting in November which Chow's letter mentions, and points out that the general scheme of the Consortium, and the reasons for its policy were then clearly explained. Tt denies that any proposal was made on behalf of the Consortium "calculated to establish a financial monopoly," or that any mention was made that the land-tax in China should be set down as security for a possible loan, as 3s the impression conveyed by the Finance Minister's letter.
In conclusion, the Consortium representatives ask Chow Tsu-chi publicly to correct the impression conveyed in his letter.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.