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 longitude 100 deg. 46 min. E. It is a prefectual walled city built on 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 20,000. The climate is moderate, the temperature rarely exceeding 80 degrees (Fahr.) during the summer, and seldom falling below 40 degrees in the winter months. The place is distant from both Yunnan-fu (the capital of the province) and Mengtsz 18 days, from the French Laos frontier 6 days. and from British territory about 12 days. It was opened in the early part of 1897, and so far has not fulfilled the expectation of its potential importance as a trading 'centre.
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TRADE IN 1938
Szemao suffered another year of trade depression owing principally to mone- tary reforms involving the withdrawal from circulation of silver and to the Government prohibition on the export of lead bars. Banditry also was rife, inter- fering with the caravan traffic; the total number of pack-loads passed during the year amounting to 23,823 only as compared with 38,764 pack loads during 1937. The value of direct imports fell from $423,000 to $310,000, and of direct exports from $466,000 to $228,000. The coastwise export of merchandise was at a standstill owing to the hostilities. The enhanced price of kerosene oil caused a decline in imports from 74,726 to 19,769 litres. Imports of foreign cotton yarn increased from 5,802 to 31,073 kilogrammes, the supply of Shanghai cotton yarn being cut off by the hosti- lities. The import of raw cotton also fell from 4,389 to 4,365 quintals. The total quantity of artificial indigo paste imported was 128 quintals as against 47 quintatls. Under exports abroad, tea fell in quantity from 8,884 to 7,005 quintals, there being a reduced demand for Puerh tea in the Indian market, while the export of camphor dwindled to an insignificant amount. Due to the embargo a nil figure was recorded for the export of lead bars. A timely rainfall resulted in abundant crops of rice and other cereals.
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AMERICAN
DIRECTORY
MISSION-
PRESBYTERIAN Kiulungkiang, Yunnan
Mrs. Charles E. Park (Kiulungkiang) Dr. & Mrs. D. Chester Nelson (849, Humboldt St., Denver, Colorado) Mr. & Mrs. Howard Thomas (1019,
Fairfield St., Scranton, Pa.)
CHINESE MARITIME CUSTOMS-
Assistant-in-Charge--Ho Pao Shen Clerks Chao Chiu Ling, Yang Chih
Yung, Chan Chi Chiu, Ip Yuen Fun and Mei Huan-tsao Assistant Boat Officer- Teng Shao
Chin
Tide waiters Chow Chuan Ping, Wang En Chan, Liu You Wei, Tan Yin Kwang and Tsai Kwo Kwang
CHINESE POST OFFICE —
Postmaster-Yang Peng