Page:A wandering student in the Far East vol.1 - Zetland.djvu/261

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AN IMPETUOUS FRENCHMAN.
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orders from the Viceroy, who having received information to the effect that arms and ammunition were being smuggled in, despatched two prefects to examine it. The impetuous Frenchman drew his revolver upon the Chinese officers, thereby grossly affronting two Chinese gentlemen engaged upon a perfectly legitimate and necessary duty, and incidentally raising a wild storm of outraged Chinese humanity about the ears of the entire foreign population. Thanks to the firm attitude of the Viceroy under extremely trying circumstances, no lives were lost, and the European population was brought safely under a strong escort to the frontier. Thus was a serious international situation created by the unwarranted procedure of an obstinate and impetuous Frenchman. Yet M. François was reappointed Consul-General, a letter of apology wrung from the Viceroy, the two prefects deprived of their official rank, and a large indemnity extracted! And M. Paul Doumer thinks the French are popular in Yün-nan. "The engineers, officers, doctors," he declared, "whom Indo-China sent to Yün-nan, had for express direction, over