296
SZEMAO
Yunnan-fu (the capital of the province) and Mengtsz 18 days, and from the frontier 8 to 12 days. It was opened in the early part of 1897, and so far has not fulfilled the expectations of its potential importance as a trading centre. The value of the trade of Szemao for 1898 was Tls. 261,719 as compared with Tls. 185,974 in 1897. No foreign traders reside at Szemao, the trade being entirely in the hands of local merchants, who have no agencies in either Tonkin or Burmah. The principal article imported is raw cotton, which comes from the British Shan States, particularly from Keng Tung. A telegraph line from Túng Hai, viâ Yuan Chiang and Pu Erh-fu, connects Szemao with the existing Chinese overland telegraphs, and another one from Szemao to "Moung Hou" (the first French post across the frontier) makes a junction with the Tonkin lines. A few years ago there was much talk about connecting Szemao by railway with Burmah, but as the trade will probably never be sufficient to justify such an expensive undertaking, the idea seems to have been given up. During the winter of 1898-99 the Burmah Yunnan frontier from Bhamo to the Kunlung Ferry, and from a point west of Meng Lem to the Mekong was properly defined. There yet remains that portion of the boundary running through the territory of the Kawas, a savage tribe of head-hunters who are likely to give some trouble to the Frontier Commission. Work was commenced during the dry winter season of 1899.
CONSULATE GREAT BRITAIN
Acting Consul-G. J. L. Litton
CONSULATE--FRANCE
Vice-Consul--J. A. Launay
DIRECTORY
Chancelier-C. P. H. Feer (absent) Médecin-Dr. L. Gaide
CUSTOMS-IMPERIAL MARITIME
Assistant-in-charge-F. W. Carey Examiner F. Williams Chinese Clerk-Fung Shun-san