TIENTSIN
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tions, and the orderly storage of goods in marked-off spaces not only allows a proper control to be kept over all such cargo but has facilitated communications by keeping the carriage-way clear of obstructions.
The Racecourse is situated about 3 miles to the west of the Gordon Hall and comprises a very valuable property to which about 350 mow of land have recently been added. New betting buildings of reinforced concrete, which surpass anything of the description in the Far East, were constructed in 1921.
Distilling is one of the largest local industries; it is chiefly from kowliang (sorghum) or millet. Although a spirit, it is called "wine," and is exported to the south in large quantities. The manufacture of coarse unrefined salt by the evaporation of sea water is also carried on near Taku; the produce is stacked some distance down river at the first cutting, where all the salt junks now go. The trade in salt is a Govern- ment monopoly. There are a number of cotton mills in the vicinity of Tientsin. The yarn produced is of 14, 16, and 20 counts. Carpets, shoes, glass, coarse earthen- ware, and fireworks are also made in large quantities in the city, but Tientsin is at present essentially a centre for distribution and collection rather than for manu- facture. The exports include coal, wool (from Kokonor, Kansuh, etc.), bristles, straw braid, goat skins, furs, wine, and carpets. The export trade is a creation only some 15 or 20 years old, and is largely due to foreign initiative. Wool cleaning and braid and bristle sorting are the chief industries in the foreign hongs except those of the Russians, who are exclusively engaged in the transit of tea. The imports are of the usual miscellaneous nature: arms, tea for the Desert and Siberia, mineral oil, matches, and needles figure next to piece-goods. The fine arts are unknown to the Tientsinese except in the shape of cleverly-made mud-figures; these are painted and make really admirable statuettes, but are difficult to carry away, being remarkably brittle.
Tientsin is the principal sea outlet for the entire trade of the provinces of Chihli, Shansi, Shensi, Kanstih, and part of Honan, with a population not far short of 100,000,000. Following are the comparative trade statistics for the years 1923, 1924 and 1925:-
Imports:-
Foreign (net) Native (net)
Exports
...
Value of trade of Port
...
...
...
1923 Hk. Tls. 102,341,339
1924 Hk. Tls.
103,260,453
49,646,387
60,868,408
86,420,212
87,566,738
238,407,938
251,695,599
1925 Hk. Tls.
107,709,088
80,057,725
99,937,953
287,704,766
The outbreak of civil war between the Chihli and Fengtien factions in the latter part of 1924 and the subsequent dislocation of railway traffic which continued long after the cessation of hostilities, was a severe handicap to the trade of the port. Gradually, as the victorious Fengtien troops gained control of the railways emanating from Tientsin trade conditions improved only to experience a set-back in the summer to of 1925 due to the disturbed conditions and boycott of British and Japanese goods instigated by students and strikers throughout China. Tientsin, however, has suffered less than other parts of the country from the general disorders and the fighting between North and South which still continues.
DIRECTORY
AMERICAN ASIATIC UNDERWRITERS (NORTH CHINA) FED. INC., U.S.A.-61, rue de France; Tel. Ad: Underwriters
M. A. Lorenzen, manager
IA AMERICAN FOREIGN INSURANCE ASSOCIA- TION (Marine Dept.)-30, rue Courbet; Tel. Ad: Reliance
R. A. Kreulen, manager
L. J. K. A. Kleijn
Mei-feng
AMERICAN CHINESE Co., FEDERAL INC., U.S.A., Ford Sales and Service-Motor Garage: 36-42, rue de France; Teleph. 9 (South), Tel. Ad: Tacco
H. W. Grambs, manager
V. A. Yacovlevsky
C. K. Erappa
S. P. Onipkia
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