390  THE  CHINESE  EMPIRE
New  establishments  are  wanted  in  every  direction,  and
at  those  now  open  the  work  is  becoming  heavier.  The
system  hitherto  followed,  to  stretch  out  lengthy  lines  of
couriers  so  as  to  rapidly  bring  all  large  cities  of  the  interior
into  communication  with  treaty  ports,  had  to  be  carried
on  without  special  regard  to  the  local  exploitation  of  each
great  centre,  and,  as  a  consequence,  many  are  still  only
provided  with  Agencies  quite  inadequate  to  their  requirements. ­
  Every  ju  and  hsien  city  should  now  have  its  own
and  properly  constituted  Post  Office,  able,  separately,  to
undertake  the  establishment  and  control  of  agencies  or
box  offices  in  all  the  localities  in  its  neighborhood.  A
larger  staff  and  larger  means  are  required  for  this,  and  it
is  obvious  that  until  this  is  done  much  of  the  advantages
and  possibilities  of  the  new  system  will  be  neglected.  These
considerations  have  been  brought  to  the  notice  of  the  Chinese
Government,  and  effective  official  support  in  various  directions ­
  is  now  assured.  Doubts  can  no  longer  be  entertained
that  the  Postal  programme  is  definitely  accepted  and
welcomed  in  official  circles,  and  we  have  seen  in  Shansi,
Honan,  Hupeh,  and  some  other  provinces  the  high  provincial ­
  authorities  issue,  of  their  own  accord,  remarkable
proclamations  making  known  to  the  population  the  character
  and  aims  of  the  Imperial  Post  Office,  and  enjoining
upon  all  to  welcome  and  support  it  as  the  national  institution. ­
  There  is  now  no  more  trouble,  on  the  opening  of  new
establishments,  to  obtain  local  proclamations  from  the
authorities  of  the  place,  and,  in  fact,  Magistrates  not
unfrequently  apply  of  themselves  for  the  planting  of  establishments ­
  in  their  cities,  and  wherever  protection  is
asked  for  offices  or  couriers  it  is  readily  granted.  Indications ­
  are  seen  everywhere  of  the  growth  of  the  institution
its  low  rates,  quickness,  and  regularity  draw  the  public
more  and  more  to  its  counters.
China  has  not  yet  formally  entered  the  Universal  Postal
Union,  but  special  Conventions  entered  into  with  Japan,
France,  Hongkong,  and  India  place  her,  through  the  intermediary ­
  of  the  contracting  Administrations,  in  exactly  the