New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-05
MINING IN CHINA.
THE GOVERNMENT AT LAST OPENS HE
FIELD.

Canton. April TO-.
An important step IS now being taken IN inc w,
yelopment OF the mineral resources OF the 'cie''"'
rwn,re II Is announced that the rich deposits Oh
silver ore near KIrin in Manchura, are to be "orhed
oftcr the Western method. The Governor oil the froV
,nce announces that the foreign apparatus ana
chemicals necessary for extracting the silver rom inc
palcna ore are already on the ground ana WY o''
no in usc These Klrin mines are the hrst In Man
churia TO be worked according to the ilnPo'o'
mot hods OF Europe and America, and the result OIL .e
onera,,on will be awaited with much interest. Ac
cordng TO popular belief among the inhabitants OIL
that region. the mountain ranges in the northern part
~ Manchura arc exceedingly rich In silver eoid'
n,ot,num and other precious metals. Just across inc
border on the Russian side OF the lne mining huS io
years been carried on with great activity III 's"
t.matIc and elaborate manner, and with eXtraor-
dinary profitable results. The Chinese HoVefh'nc"'
has however, hitherto forbidden any Systematic open"
ING I'M OF the mineral regions OF It's side OF the lc
In ,act there has been no very great e'gernes9 OH
to mart Of mining prospectors to enter that particu
lar district some seven years ago u numDcr Oh
Chinese miners went tlither and attempted 10 oPc"
some workings. But they were to the last man mas
sacred By the troops In Manchlra, who are really hii
outlaws. The Government had merely given the NH
ary commanders directions to prevent the opening VI
mines The soldiers took II upon themselves to iubi
TINT command by slaughterng the woud-bc miners.
characteristic OF the race, however, they waited unui
the uckless miners had been ut work some months ana
had obtained the enormous amount OF @Io'oo'VOo IVA
gold This plumber was partly divided among inc
troops and partly put into the pocket OF the governor
Of the Province.
After this tragic incident the Governor TOOK pos
session OF the mines which had been opened. ana
arporently for a time intended to work uleIn' sys
tcmatically. An experienced American mining ell
uineer was employed to superntend them. ana at
very heavy cost some elaborate and expensive ma
cbincry was obtained. Then the whole enterprise was
abandoned, Just why nobody seems to Know fVr
any private capitalists to take up the TASK WAS I'LL
possible. To mine silver and gold without inc per
mission Of the Government is u capital offence lrue
the offence is often committed and seldom or never
punished but those who commit 1t secure immunity
by quietly and secretly transferring share OF their
booty the itching palm OF the Governor Oh inc us
trct The metal that is thus Illegally mined mas
its way to Peln, where II Is reputed TO come lrOm
some OF the few mines worked b. the Government
This refusal OF the Chinese Government hitherto
In allow the opening and working OF mines has of
course been due It's desire to retain the monopoly
OF the business In Its own hands The Imperial
Government is encouraged IN this attitude BY the
local ollicinls who are actuated by desire TO per
petuate system under which they are constantly
reaping IA rich harvest. But the present announce
ment indicates that the Government has at last
changed Its attitude altogether and Is now Wiling
that the mineral resources Of the country should be
developed by private and even by foreign enterprise
some OF the local officials also cordially accept TINS
new order Of things. enc such Is the Governor OF
Krn. In his Official report the memorial 10 the I'M
peral Government the subject he mentions the
curious fact that certain mandarin, VINO had quan
himself u professor Of chemistry at the University
OF Pelun could be employed III mining operations
without losing his rank. The Governor therefore
sensiby petitioned that this accomplished Official
might he allowed to teach his countrymen how ID
separate silver from the lead ore without suierhs
G;overnor should this official be rewarded for his
superior attachments and tins encouraged 10 STUDY
further and exert himself still more This petition
WAS promptly granted, and II is probable that oter
mandanns will presently be seeking employment In
the mining district.