The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-07-21

best to supplement its financial re-
sources, sadly encumbered by the cost
Of the late war, by raising the rates
and it is understood that. subject to
the reasonable demands in regard to in
land navigation and internal trade be-
ing satisfied, foreign merchants would
not object to an additional ID per
cent being exacted. The ideal state
| would be FOR the T. M, c. to be extend
ed to native trade and provincial rev.
enue. But, as the Chinese officials are
for ever DINING into ones ears, the
preiudices of centuries will bar the
way if they be not overruled by Grmed
fotce.
The last financial year was prosper
Gus one for the revenue derived from
I the customs, and will show an increase
of something like 10 per cent 1t Is for
tunate for the Chinese government that
squeeze" is no part Of the customs ad-
mil istrations, and it is creditable to
| the scod sense of the official Wotld
that, when Sir Robert made his de-
mand for an all-round increase of SCI
al les and supply on departmental ac-
count, they promptly acquiesced. Like
all great rulers of men, Sir Robert is a
thorough autocrat. He believes in per-
feet discipline, and he enforces 1t from
end to end but that the conditions of
service are not unfair is proved by the
clamor for admission and the large
area of choice among the candidates,
all of whom have to bring him salts
factory credentials. There are black
sheep in every flock, but in the GUS
toms they are soon shelved. The at
fractions of the service are high rate.
of pay, a safe berth, and the certainty
of progressive advancement, granted
only good and intelligent behavior.
Houses in the treaty ports are provid-
ed rent free for the staff, and in near
ly every port are pleasant, well-built
English homes, where a man and his
family may reside in perfect comfort.
For the unmarried and the Junior mem
bers of the staff, apartments are as
signed not unlike the officers quarters
of an English regiment, and common
table and comon recreation take away
many of the disadvantages Of exile.
The duties OF the various grades,
particularly the higher, are responsible
and important, and general respect is
accorded to an official within the limits
of his authority. With such model
and such results it seems surprising
that other branches of imperial gov
eminent have not been organized in
similar way, or, at least on the same
principles: but the truth Is that intro
duced, as Il has been, with marvellous
tact and knowledge, the Chinese man
darins have been obliged to tolerate
and even to expand the I. M. c., be-
cause of the enormous gain that it
has been to the imperial exchequer,
and the consequent escape Of the prov
inces from the Inevitable increase of
taxation that otherwise, must have
been imposed to provide for the in
creased tribute to Pekin.
The inspector general hardly looks
his age. He is ID self-centred, unas-
Stunning man, of gracious manners, and
manifest strength of will iron gray of
hair and beard. and spare Of figure, in
general appearance not unlike a well
known London clergyman, Canon Bar
nett of Toynbee. Hall. To the cos
mopolitan' society of Pekin he is very
hospitable, and TO the members of the
At the same time he lives very much
alone, and, save that he has been in
duced the last two years. for his
healths sake, to spend part of the
summer on the northern coast of
Peitaiho, he hardly ever strs outside
the walk of his compound Occasion
ally he is summoned to the Tsung-li-
Yamen, and then and there only is he
forced to take to his chair. He finds
that his work absorbs all his time and
he has even had to give up his even
ing ride. Every year he THEA tens to
retire and enjoy at home what would
be indeed, well earned rest. but ev-
cry year sees him still at his post, and
the threat is now looked upon as Sir
Roberts little Joke. To the Chinese
mind retirement on account of age is
An official is sup
posed 20 work till he drons. and re-
quest to be allowed to retire from office
on account of increasing years would
be regarded with grave suspicion as
evidence of an intention to brew mis-
chief or to play for n higher stake. |
Whether, after nearly a cycle of |
Sir Robert would enjoy the |
contrasts of English life without en-
ployment is more than doubtful,-Lon-
don Telegraph.