Page:A wandering student in the Far East vol.1 - Zetland.djvu/300

230 by a correspondent of 'The Times' in an article upon "Foreign Capital in China" in that paper's "Financial and Commercial Supplement" of July 24th, 1908. I append the following extract:—

"In 1906 it was decided to make a beginning of independent working, and the company's engineer was therefore directed to inspect certain properties in the Lin-an Fu district; the necessary intimation was conveyed to the local officials, and a military escort was provided by the Sub-Prefect of Mêng-tzŭ. In the course of his work the engineer had occasion to inspect the private property of a native named Ming Li-sung, but no sooner had the inspection taken place, and before the return of the engineer to Mêng-tzŭ, than Ming Li-sung (aged 70) and his son were arrested and imprisoned on the charge of having attempted to sell their land to foreigners. A proclamation was issued in reference to the case on December 31, 1907, by Wei, Taotai of Mêng-tzŭ. This document is interesting in that it commences by referring to the Yün-nan Company's agreement as an entirely satisfactory one; subsequently, however, the writer refers to the recently promulgated Mining Regulations, gravely asserting that thereunder a permit from the local yamen is necessary for all prospecting operations. Finally, he accuses