power that obtained between provinces. There were six subdivisions of a province, one of them fiscal, the others territorial: (1) circuits, chiefly fiscal; (2) prefectures; (3) independent sub-prefectures; (4) independent departments; (5) departments subject to a prefecture; and (6) districts subject to a prefecture or independent department. A diagram may make their relationships clear.
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Provincial Officials Circuits Prefectures (Fu) IndependentDepartments (Chihli-chow) Departments (Chow) Districts (Hsien) Independent sub-prefectures (Chihli-t'ing or t'ing) Districts (Hsien)
The chief official of the circuit, generally known as the taot'ai, was officially known as the intendant of the circuit. He had a slight amount of control over two or more prefectures and was granted extensive military authority within his jurisdiction (whence the alternate title ping pei tao). Whenever he was located at a port of entry the administration of the maritime customs usually fell into his hands and in this connection he was styled the hai-kwan chien-tuh. His rank was usually assimilated to that of a foreign consul and, where no special bureau of foreign affairs existed, the taot'ai at a treaty port had general oversight of foreign affairs, subject to review by the governor or viceroy on more important issues.
The chief officer of the prefecture was called the chih fu or prefect. His duties are not clearly outlined, but he had some power in matters of judicial review. He is perhaps best described as a supervisor and means of communica-
