To the Editor of the "NortH-Cuina Dalny News"
Sm,—We read with amazement
article by Mr. George E. 7 ut, unmixed with intereat under the heading of "The Battle 'Alignment in China,' page 11 in your issue September 18, Although we are ata loss fo comprehend the genuine motive of the writer to compare the strength between Marshal Chang Tso-lin and other military forces in such a zealous and earnest tone, yet, with every due respect to the writer, we can not restrain ourselves from con tradicting his misrepresentation of the real situation in this province.
Contrary to Mr. Sokolsky" legation, General Li Ching-ling, the Civil Governor of Chihli, is enjoying great popularity in this province for his efficiency in administration and warm sympathy. towards minor merchants and poor people. No loan has he ever negotiated with the merchants that ig not well secured, and none of. the merchants has ever been forced to lend anything. We have authority for stating that in accordance with the official report of the Commissioner of Finance, the Provineial Government paid within this, year, both capital and interest for the loans contracted by previous authorities, up to an amount of more than two million dollars. For further evidence, the merchants Chihli will be glad to confirm that the reimbursement of the Fourth Provincial Bonds, having been neglected by the previous ities for successively three instalments, was duly made last April by the present Provincial Government.
'The sympathy of the Provincial Authorities towards the minor merjehants and poor people is manifest ly shown in their recent acts. 'Thousands of gratified merchants will be ready to inform' you with leasure that the taxes on cotton, Brains, and native cloth have been greatly reduced, and licences rickshas and vegetables as well as rental tax on poor residents have been entirely abolished by the present Provincial Government.
General Li's attitude in dealing with the evil characters under his jurisdiction is strong and relentless. He hesitates not a moment to dismiss or punish those corrupt officials, mischievous gentry or any other scoundrels who are thority entrusted into the but who were unmolested by the previous authorities under the protection of some illegal influence. Tt is evidently due to the insinuation of these dissatisfied people that. your writer is led to believe the contradictory representation of the real situation in this province.
The above explanation, we. hope, will be sufficient to give you a clear impression of the actual conditions in this province, You are herewith requested to make. the necessary correction and pub-this letter in your nearest. issue.
Thanking you in advance, Tam ete, 'YEISHANG L. C. Tao, Secrewury for Foreign Affairs to the Civil Governor of Chihli.
Yamen of the Civil Governor, Tientsin, Sept. 22, 1925,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.