Directory_and_Chronicle_1904

SZEMAO

茅思 Sz-máu

Szemao, opened to the Tonkin frontier trade by the Gérard Convention of 1895, and to British trade by the Burmah Convention of 1896, is situated in the south- western part of the Province of Yunnan in latitude 22 deg. 47 min. 29 sec. N. and longi- tude 100 deg. 46 min. E. It is a sub-prefectural walled town built on a gently rising ground overlooking a well-cultivated plain. The elevation is 4,700 feet above the sea level, and the population is estimated to be about 15,000. The climate is delightful, the temperature rarely exceeding 80 degrees (Fahr.) during the summer and seldom falling below 50 degrees in the winter months. The plague, such a common visitor throughout Yunnan, is almost unknown in Szemao. The place is distant from both Yunnan-fu (the capital of the province) and Mengtsz 18 days, and from the French Laos frontier 6 days and from British territory about 12 days. 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 1902 was Tls. 183,632, against Tls. 244,649 in 1901, and Tls. 185,511 in 1900. No foreign traders reside at Szemao, the trade being entirely in the hands of local merchants, who have no agencies in either Tonkin or Burnah. 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, and on the 9th February, 1900, the British Consul, Mr. Litton accompanied by Major Kiddle, of the R.A.M.C., and Mr. Sutherland, an official of the British Shan States, visited the neighbouring market of Mêng-tung. There they were unexpectedly attacked by a number of Was, armed with guns and swords. Mr. Litton was knocked senseless, but was eventually saved by the bravery and presence of mind of a Chinese soldier; his two companions were killed, and their heads borne in triumph to the village of a Wa chief. Reprisals followed, the escorts of the British and Chinese Commissioners acting in concert, and about 60 Wa villages were destroyed. Shortly after this the work of delimitation came to a standstill, as the Chinese were unable to accept the British conception of the proper frontier; and in April the party_broke up, after having decided to refer the disputed points to Peking. The future of Szemao is dependent largely on railway construction in Burma. If ever a line is laid from Mandalay due east to Kengtung, Szemao may hope to participate in the increased trade which better means of communication is bound to bring to this inland province.

CONSULATE GREAT BRITAIN

Share This Page