Finally the inspectors were asked fo attend to this businefis^ and notJmig elm for the present.
This is inquisition with a venij^eance. It might be supposed that the companies would meet the
situation by getting as much gold out of the country as possible before the new legislation is passed,
or before the proclamation of Martial Law, and then close down the mines, but they are forestalled.
It will b^ remembered what a sensation was caused last year, when it was proposed to introduce into
the new Gold Law an article containing clauses empowering the Government to confiscate the mines.
That article is again brought forward, and the Government now desires to put into operation the
powers that would be obtained under it. The article will be found translated in another column.
It provides that when operations on a mine, claim, or concession are suspended, either wholly, or
jyartially^ the Government, at its own discretion, can compel operations to be resumed within a fixed
time ; that if this be not done by the owner or owners, the Government can develop the mine con-
cerned or cause it to be developed under Government control, and that the plant may be expropriated
by the Government, if not removed in a certain time (this is practically equivalent to confiscation).
