the upper waters of the Yangtze is forwarded to us by a correspon The following account of the experiences of a British steamer flying on lent.
The steamer in question arrived at Luchou on the forenoon pf July 10, bound up to Suifu. A stay of some three hours is always necessary when bound up as the ship must coal, and also in order to pay the "military tax." If the latter is omitted these noble exponents of China's sovereign rights would: be-verne distinctly unfriendly.
Whilst these matters were in progress an armed party of about 15 men under a petty officer came along the bank at the double, five of them mounted guard over the ship's moorings and the rest boarded: the evolution being carried out with commendable smartness. In due course the compradore reported that the said officer claimed that the ship was now seized to carry troops and ammunition, so was invited into the captain's cabin where with every mark of courtesy and friendship it was pointed out to him that this could not be so, for such a proceeding would constitute intervention by a ship of a foreign Power in a domestic dispute. (Treaty Port residents are perhaps not aware that two of Szechuan's "Generals" are now at war, and that Luchou is the pot preserve of one of the most powerful). The officer agreed that such things were not within his philosophy, but that ho was carrying out orders and would appeal to his superior for further instructions, "Trea Everywaere."
"As even this excellent state of discipline had produced no effect when the ship was ready to sail, and notwithstanding that—the officer had already withdrawn him-} self and party, the captain had! his card taken to the -yamén in order to avoid the unpleasant circus tance of either dead or wounded on his ship due to indiseriminate rifle firing from the shore: and in the course of time he was presented with an_ interesting document declaring his steamer to be "'free everywhere." It should be noted that this was duly signed by one with the rank of Fukuanchang who subsequently proved to be a gentleman with very friendly and courteous intentions but haying the misfortune to be in a tight corner. It would seem that men and ammunition were urgently needed "'at the front," and that had been secretly enjoined to get them there by steamer, and the subsequent proceedings show that he was heavily handicapped by lack of familiarity with ships, shipping, and the bearing thereon of the principles of extraterritoriality.
On her return from Suifu the steamer "reached Luchou rather late in the afternoon and it was decided to remain there for the night (July 12). About 7 p.m. an officer holding considerable rank (name unknown), judging from the smartness of his body guard, interviewed the captain with a view to carrying troops and ammunition (Has it been omitted to mention that the sides of the ship are decorated with characters stating in Chinese that this ship does not carry troops nor ammunition). This officer was also likeable, spruce, apparently efficient, friendly, and courteous to a fault. Now, the General at Luchou, is a personality who (at considerable pains) has captured the goodwill of all foreigners locally, but on this occasion the ship's captain had no option but to state that his ship did not carry troops or ammuni tion. This officer then withdrew, being accorded all Gue observances of courtesy.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.