CHANGSHA
沙長 Chang-sha
Changsha ("Long Sands"), the capital city of Hunan, which stands on the bank of the River Hsiang, 120 miles above Yochow (at the confluence of the Hsiang and Yangtze) became an Open Port under the China-Japan Commercial Treaty of 1903. A Custom- house was inaugurated on July 1st, 1904, and a British Consulate in 1905. The surrounding country is hilly; though to the North there is a long plain varying in width from half a mile to a mile; possibly an ancient watercourse. The river Hsiang is not navigable for steamers in winter time, although its gradual fall and absence of rocks seem to promise a useful waterway. The city itself contains many fine streets, well paved and kept, according to Chinese ideas. There are many handsome buiklings, both public and private. A local print describes the Changsha people as being earnest in temple worship and incense burning, which accounts for the careful preservation of all the innumerable temples and shrines. The newly-installed Customs Commissioner, writing in February, 1905, reported that the reception accorded to the new status of the port by the people had been quiet but satisfactory, and their behaviour since has been excellent. "Officials and gentry alike have been courteous and civil, and, the right conditions being premised, the future is full of promise." A Mr. H. Bennertz assumed that the walled city itself was open; but the Chinese insisted that "open port" was extra-mural. The upshot was a decision against the Chinese, who finally paid Mr. Bennertz to go away. By imposing lekin, by boycotting, and in other ways, however, this open port is kept practically closed. In April, 1906, the environ- ments of the city were deeply submerged to the walls, showing that there is little use in "opening" if the city remains closed. In 1905, the Commissioner stated that the idea of a foreign settlement is "practically dropped," and suggested that foreign merchants may establish themselves on a low-lying sandbank 400 yards out, which they must first raise to a safe level! "Even now it is difficult to get a foothold," he adds, but for those who do get in, and can wait, golden possibilities are promised. Floods in April and May of 1906 covered the Bund to a depth of ten feet. All business was suspended for several weeks. Steamers having no place into which to discharge, for junks and lighters dared not move in the river which ran in a torrent, carried their cargoes back to Hankow-one vessel making three round trips with the same freight before being able to land it. What with the flood and famine and rebellion in the province the year was not a success fiscally. The net value of the trade for 1906 was Tls. 5,291,809 and for 1905 Tls. 5,895,830, as compared with Tls. 2,817,514 for the previous six months of which the Customs took note. Direct foreign trade is as yet not worth counting. The Chinese Government has decided to throw open to foreign trade the two largest marts of the province-Hsing-t'au, thirty miles above Changsha and Changthe on the Yuan river. When this is done the prospects of Changsha may improve. What trade has been done at Changsha since the opening of the port has been at the expense of Yochow, whose trade statistics dwindled in two years from Tls. 3,473,241 to Tls. 410,000.
HANKOW-CANTON RAILWAY
DIRECTORY
THOS. A. Ross, B.SC., A.M.I.C.E., and A.M. SOC. C.E., executive engineer in charge
CUSTOMS-IMPERIAL CHINESE
CONSULATES
GREAT BRITAIN
Consul-M. Hughes
JAPAN
Acting Commsr.--Oliver G. Ready
Vice-Consul—T. Takasu
ICHANG
昌宜 I-Chang
Ichang is one of the four ports opened to foreign trade on the 1st April, 1877, in accordance with Clause 1, Section 3, of the Chefoo Convention. It is situated in lat. 30° 44′ 25′′ N., long. 111° 18′ 34′′ E., on the north bank of the river Yangtze,_about 393 miles above Hankow, and some ten miles below the entrance to the great Ichang
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