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THE RECENT CHINESE DIFFICULTY.

The Chinese MailAe&rns, from a native source which can be relied on, certain particulars in connection with Mr Wade's negotiations with the Tsung li Yamen, on the Yunnan question. It says that one of Mr Wade's demande; was the opening up of Yunnan to trade. To this the Tsung li Yamen replied that Yunnan was a province that had been of late suffering from universal anarchy, and that if it were opened to trade now serious complications would arise. Supposing some of the English merchants were killed, the Chinese Government could only-undertake to bring the guilty parties to justice, that is save life. Mr Wade said that meantime soldiers could be Bent to put the country in proper order, and then the scheme of opening the province to trade could be gradually carried out. The Yamen replied that the popular feeling there was against it, and the Government could not overcome it. Formerly the Mahommedane and Chinese there had a difference which rose to such magnitude that the Government was powerless, and it became a formidable rebellion, which took the Government more than ten years to suppress. If the Government were now to compel the people there to open the place to trade against their will, it feared great trouble would be sure to follow. Mr Wade then said that if the people of Yunnan were such a turbulent race, and the Government was unable to rule it, what would the Yamen say to English soldiers being sent from Burmah into Yunnan to assist the Government? The Tsung li Yamen is said to have stated in reply that if a collision occurred between the English soldiers and the inhabitants there, the Chinese Government would not be responsible. Mr Wade then asked for the removal of the Governor of Yunnan, but the Yamen replied that the recovery of Yunnan was entirely due to Shen-ya-ying. If he were removed, the place would be again disturbed, so that the tradal scheme would be rather retarded than facilitated by his removal* The object of the minister was no doubt enlarged trade; but would it not be better to wait till the time for the next revision of. the treaty. Beferring to the murder of Mr Margary, the Yamen said the deceased was escorted out of the conntry saEe and sound, that it was on his re-entering Yunnan that he was murdered. The Chinese Government had already sent a high official to investigate the matter, but prior to that, confidential instructions were sent to the authorities to have the matter strictly inquired into, with the view of the question being settled in a way satisfactory to Mr Wade; It is said that Mr Wade, seeing what the Yamen said was reasonable, consented to yield his points. Li Hung Chang then casually brought forward the little unpleasantness that took place between himself and Mr Wade at Tien Tsin. He referred to the occasion when Mr Wade called on him, and was delayed by hie not coming out in time to receive him. Mr Wade took it as a slight, and went away without seeing him at all, but left straight for Tez-chu lin. If (Li Hung Chang observed) they had not been on good terms, they would hot have visited each other. Being on good terms then, was it consistent with friendship to go off like that when the host was unavoidably detained for a moment by his putting on his court dress f He also mtimated to Mi Wade that, according to Chinese etiquette, it was not allowable while discussing public matters to strike one's fist on the table if anything that came out in the discussion displeased 1 him. Now that intercommunication was established between the different Boards of Government and the Foreign Ministers, he would observe that the mutual yisite would be only ia a private character, and most not be regarded as official, Therefore, if any unpleasantness should occur, it should not be a cause of complaint. For it would be unreasonable to-expect a man engaged on official business to cast aside hi» public duties to attend to the private visit of a friend. This is a gist of the discussion, and only three demande were granted, vis., intercommunication with the Boards, the mission of apology to England, and the mission of inquiry to Yunnan. The (Mwi Mail of Ist November mentions a rumour that Li Hsieh-tai, the late Governor of Yunnan, haa been arrested by the Tunnan authorities, and is now being held in confinement, pending the arrival of the commission by whom' he is- to be tried. This, if true, is significant and indicates an intention of keeping faith on the part of the Chinese with which they were scarcely credited. The Yunnan Mission, consisting of Mr Groeroiox, Booondj Secretary of Legatioa,

Mr Davenport, Vice-ConsuL and Mr Baber, nnnonior Tn^prefter. started on £7 tb .October, under the escort of two Chinese, gunboate.

The Rangoon Mail reported that a merchant here has a letter from Manwyne, re» porting that Chinese officials are vigorously investigating the circumstances attending Ut Margery's murder, and heavy contributiona are being levied to meet compensations, and some of the inhabitants are being tortured to obtain confession. .:

A private letter from Mandalay to the Rangoon Mail states that the King of Burman is now wonderfully kind to the Chinese traders. He has accepted their presents, which were declined on a late occasion of a feast by one of the Queens. Instructions have likewise been issued to refund the duty levied on " returned " goods, and orders have been given to head men of villages to afford every facility in recovering outstandings or redressing grievances of the Chinese. The King blames his Ministers for past misunderstandings, and people are all wondering at the sudden change of his attitude towards the Chinese.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18751230.2.20

Bibliographic details

Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 3223, 30 December 1875, Page 3

Word Count
975

THE RECENT CHINESE DIFFICULTY. Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 3223, 30 December 1875, Page 3

THE RECENT CHINESE DIFFICULTY. Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 3223, 30 December 1875, Page 3

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