MANCHURIAN TRADE CENTRES
In addition to Mukden, the Treaties made with China in 1903 by the United States and Japan secured the opening of Antung and Tatungkow in Manchuria. By an additional agreement made between China and Japan in December, 1905, the following inland places in Manchuria were opened to trade on the dates specified :-September 10, 1906, Tieh-ling, Tung-chiang-tzu and Fakumen; on October 8, Hsin-min Fu; on December 17, Manchuli, Harbin, Ch'ang-ch'un (K'uan-ch’êng-tzu) and Kirin; on December 19, Tsitsikar (Pu-k'uei), the capital of the northern province of Hei-lung- chiang; and on June 28, 1907, the remaining seven places-Feng-huang-ch'êng (Ting) Liao-yang, Ninguta, Hun-ch'un, Sansing, Hailar and Aihun-were declared open as a preliminary step prior to the adoption of special settlement regulations. Only at Harbin and Antung are Foreign Consulates established.
MUKDEN
天率 Feng-tin 天奉
Mukden, the capital of the province of Manchuria and the ancient seat of the present reigning dynasty of China, was nominally opened to international residence and trade by the Commercial Treaty concluded by the United States with China in 1903, but it was not really opened until 1906, for in the Russo-Japanese war the city became one of the strongholds of the Russian forces, from which, however, they were eventually driven by the advancing Japanese army. When peace was concluded and the troops were withdrawn the trade possibilities of the province began to receive increased attention. The principal trade of Mukden has been in grain, such as beans and millet, and it has also been a curing centre for furs. Considerable indirect business has been done with the city in European textiles and hardware, sugar and kerosene oil. When foreign merchants begin to establish themselves in the Manchurian capital a steady development in this trade may be expected. Though consulates have been established, no arrangements had been made for the establishment of a Customs- house.
Mukden is situated in slightly undulating country a few miles north of the Hunho, a tributary of the river Liao, about 110 miles north-east of the port of New- chwang, and has stations on the Chinese Eastern Railway and the South Mauchuria Railway 1 miles to the west of the city. The city is trebly walled. The outer wall, which is circular and built of mud, encloses the suburbs
the suburbs and is 13 miles in circumference: the inner town, which is a mile square, is protected by a stone wall thirty-five feet high and fifteen wide on the top; it is pierced by eight gates, two on each side with high towers above them; another wall encloses the ancient palace, which stands in the centre of the inner city, like the palace at Peking. The streets of Mukden are broad and straight; and the city has the appearance of being a busy place. The population is estimated at about 150,000. Nurachu, the founder of the Manchu dynasty, established himself at Mukden in 1625, and his tomb, about seven miles east of the city, is an object of great interest. The great mound and funeral hall are enclosed within a high wall pierced by one large gateway which holds three arched portals, and the avenue of approach is spanned by two lofty stone arches elaborately sculptured. Two massive couchant lions guard the portal. There are many other objects of Manchu historical interest in the town and its vicinity. Accommodation for foreign visitors is at present very limited. There are two smail hotels in foreign style inside the city-the Astor House and Manchurian Hotel and the South Manchurian Railway Company have a first class hotel in European style at their new railway station.