Page:A wandering student in the Far East vol.1 - Zetland.djvu/260

194 I do not think the same can conscientiously be said of the French. Nothing could be more tactful or more correct than the attitude of the representatives of France whom I found at the capital; but throughout the province there was undoubtedly a feeling of distrust and suspicion of the ambitions and aspirations of that country. Nor can its official representatives claim complete immunity from blame. It was M. François, French Consul-General,—happily Consul-General no longer,—who in the summer of 1900 was responsible for a serious anti-foreign riot. Contrary to the laws of China, M. François crossed the frontier from Indo-China to Yün-nan with forty cases of arms and ammunition. Hokow, at which place was posted a French commissioner of Customs, was safely passed, but at Mêng-tzŭ the then commissioner passed the Consul-General's personal baggage but expressed a desire to examine such cases as he was taking to Yün-nan Fu for others. M. François blustered and carried off his goods by force, and reached the likin-station at the gates of the capital. Here his baggage was detained under