CHEFOO
A117
with warm days, cool winds and cold nights. Strong northerly gales are experienced in the late autumn and through the winter, and the roadstead gives but an uncomfort- able, though safe anchorage for steamers. In 1909 nearly two months were lost to trade through stress of weather. The Netherlands Harbour Works Co. started the construction of a breakwater in 1915. Further harbour improvement works were completed in 1921, the new breakwater, mole and quay being formally inaugurated on September 14th, 1921. The breakwater is 2,600 feet long, the height from the base of the foundation mound to the top of the parapet is 51 feet, and the width of the base of the foundation mound ranges from 117 feet to 133 feet. A railway track has been laid over the mole. In 1933 Chefoo was made a Special Area by the Provincial authorities, and the City limits now include a number of surrounding towns and villages. The population of this Special Area is estimated at 230,000,
The Chefoo-Wehsien motor road was opened to traffic in 1923 and a regular and express service of cars operate daily between Chefoo and Wehsien, connecting at the latter port with the Kiao-tsi Railway. During the past several years, additional motor roads have been opened throughout the province and practically all important towns are now connected by road with Chefoo, including Tsingtao and Weihaiwei. None of the roads are metalled, as it has been found impracticable to adopt this surfacing but, generally speaking, they are kept in first class condition, and due to the long periods of dry weather in Chefoo the earth surfacing thereof has proved eminently satisfactory for conditions in Shantung. However, after heavy rains the roads are unusable for a period of from twenty-four to forty-eight hours.
Amongst the main exports of Chefoo are Pongee Silks, Silk Waste, Vermicelli, Ground Nuts, Fruit, Hair Nets, Handmade Laces and Embroideries, and there are also considerable exports of locally distilled wine. Amongst other industries is the Chefoo Brewery and several Clock factories which enjoy a brisk business with all China ports, as well as with the Straits and Java. The port was connected in 1900 by telegraph cables with Tientsin, Port Arthur, Weihaiwei, Tsingtao and Shanghai, in addition to telegraph land lines with all large interior cities.
TRADE IN 1938
After a period of anxiety the part of Chefoo was cccupied on the 3rd February 1938 by combined forces of the Japanese army and navy, and while, owing to the activity of irregular troops, or so-called mobile units, the port remained partly isolated from the hinterland, the sea route remained open dur- ing the year. A revised list of Import and Export Tariff rates and duty exemptions was enforced by the "Provisional Government of North China" from the 13th March, and a revised Import Tariff, based on the Tariff of 1931, by the "Reformed Government" from the 1st June. The trade statistics of the port according to value were as follows: direct foreign imports, $13.4 million as compared with $5.8 million during 1937; coastwise importations of Chinese goods, $28.9 million as against $18.1 million; direct exports to foreign countries, $15.1 million as against $12.3 million; and coastwise exportations of Chinese produce, $24.8 million as compared with $13.4 million,
The increase in value under the heading of direct foreign imports was in large measure accounted for by the fact that imports of Manchurian produce hitherto treated as domestic imports were during the year classified as of foreign origin. For instance, following the introduction in March of reduced tariff rates, the importation of beans from Manchuria became an important factor in direct foreign trade, 298,996 quintals being imported under this heading in 1938 as against 53,629 quintals and 176,849 quintals recorded in 1937 and 1936 as domestic imports. In this connexion it is of interest to note that during 1938 197,896 quintals of beancake and 22,785 quintals of bean oil were exported to other ports as against 971 quintals and 578 quintals in 1937 and 67 quintals and 991 quintals in 1936 respectively, from which it will be seen that imports of beans during 1936 and 1937 were largely for local consumption, while those imported during 1938 were chiefly converted into beancake and bean oil for shipment to South China. While the import of linen for embroidery declined from 707,617 to 321,138 metres. Imports of penelope canvas increased from 148,685 to 194,677 metres. Great Britain and Germany remained the principal suppliers