Page:Inside Canton.djvu/93

92, for instance, of the two Kuangs is thus organised: The chief authority of the two provinces is the viceroy, who inhabits the Chinese city. All the functionaries are appointed by him, and are bound to execute his orders without hesitation. But each of these superior agents, has, in his own particular sphere, an independence which the authority of the viceroy cannot touch, who himself, in certain circumstances, cannot act, till he has asked the advice and obtained the consent of his inferiors. The second authority is again a functionary of the civil order; he is the fou-yuen, the vice-governor, who resides in the Tartar city. His power extends only over the province of the Kuang-ton, which he governs on his own personal responsibility; but in consequence of the solidarity which exists between the several delegates of authority, the viceroy, even in urgent cases, cannot inflict the punishment of death without having obtained the assent of this functionary. The third Cantonal authority is military. The Tartar general is responsible for the safety of the city, and commands a force of 5,000 men. But he cannot exercise them in any strategic manœuvres without having obtained the authorisation of the viceroy. Despite his title of commander-in-chief, the tsean-keoun is not the only ruler who has regiments under his orders; the viceroy commands 5,000 men, and the vice-governor 2,000. But the former