3-086-051 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Chinese Question: the German Occupation of Kiao-Chau: paying Chinese wheelbarrow men at Tsingtan, 1898. 'Facsimile of a Sketch by our Special Artist, Mr. Melton Prior. 'The German occupation of Kiaochou - China - paying labourers - (wheelbarrow men). "At least twenty-five per cent. of the native population of Tsingtan have been turned into coolies by the Germans, and are now engaged all day on transport duties from the coast. My sketch shows these men being paid. The German officials engage a certain number of headmen, and these in turn engage the labourers. The latter are 'sweated' to an extent which gives rise to a good deal of growling. They are hired at the rate of fivepence a day, but seldom receive more than fourpence".' Melton Prior. From "Illustrated London News", 1898.