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August 31, 1001.]
king-fu is by road 2,200 kilometres from Shang. 1 hai and only 1,500 kilometres from Haiphong. All the advantages, therefore, seem to lie with Tonkin. The problem, however, is not an ea-y one. Chungking-fu is 750 feet above sea level and Yunnan-fu 2,80 feet. Admitting two rail- roads starting from Chungking fu and reaching to Shanghai and Haiphong, the first wond present only insignificant declivities within a limited part of its course, whilst, on the other hand, the second would run continually throng h a region of mountains. In spite of the difference in the length of the two lines, the cost of carrying a ton of freight from Chungking-fn to Shanghai or i siphong would be the same. But we must not fail to observe that steam packets can run to Nanking, some 300 kilometres distant from Shanghai. Launches of smaller draught can go to Hankow, 650 kilometres up the river, and large junks to Ichang, which is only 500 kilometres from Chungking-fu. Lately, steamers of a special build have been introduced for negotiating the Ichang rapids they go beyond Chungking-fu as far as Sui-fu. A railroad direct from Chungking-fn to Hankow would be only 850 kilometres long, and would reach to within 1,200 kilometres of Nanking The construction of such a ling would absolutely ruin the Yunnan-fu railway.
What, after all, could be the traffic of our railway? The total export, trade of China amounts to 1,700 millions of francs. Of this sum 130 millions goes to France-120 millions for exports.
We wish to construct 2,500 kilometres of railway line for the carriage of goods, especially silk, ur output of which is valued at from 25 to 30 millions and represents a tonnage of 45,000. Foreign traffic would probably continue to pass through Shanghai. We must certainly note that the largest com- mercial houses realise all the trade in Hankow,
C
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
CHINA AND WHITECHAPEL.
[FROM A LONDON CORRESPONDENT.]
189
which will indicato incapability and honce cashiering would follow.
AN IMPERIAL CHINESE LOTTERY. I am informed that a ( hinese newspaper con. but for a few months it will be possible to
It is a far cry from hina to Whitechapel,tains an announcement that some high officials had memorialised the throne with a view of refresh one's memories of China by a visit to the Art Gallery in Whitechapel, where on the 24th July an Exhibition was inaugurated by the Rt. Hon. II. H. Asquith, K.C., M.P., in the presence of a considerable company of invited guests.
of which this Exhibition is an element is well The history of the movement in East Loudon
known now to all newspaper-readers; but Canon happy reference to their association in the Barnett in introducing Mr. Asquith made early stages of tweny or twenty-five years ago.
and dwelt on the need and value for educational national life, and explained that the present purposes of art collections, as they affect the
collection was the first of a series intended to
illustrate countries, periods, and trades.
terms with the need and value of exhibitions
to
Mr. Asquith's speech, which dealt in general such as the present. invited the company assist the movement by the many agencies which he pointed out to them.
Dr. Cutlie and Mr. H. L. W. Lanson, in Mr. Asquith, dealt more fully with the commer- proposing and seconding a vote of thanks to
cial advantages to be gained from a better acquaintance with China; the former pointing from our foreign commercial relations, twenty out that of every hundred pence gained to us
of them came from China.
The exhibition comprises at present some four hundred objects, representing many phases of Chinese life-in China: the selection seems to be most judiciously made so far as it goes, This city is the most important business centre callection of mere curios, but such of the exhibits and is not as too often happens a heterogeneous in China, and there, without doubt, will abound
as partake of that character are very interest. the products of all the Yangtaze-kiang region.ing and valuable of their kind being in most We fear that the English will construct a line from Burma to Szechuan, and accordingly character of the exhibition necessarily must cases lent from private collections. This loan
deem it indispensable to anticipate them. If,
have limited its extent owing to the obvious risks however, both lines were successfully con. structed, the English line would immediately from somo observations one heard it seems that where articles of great value are concerned, but possess a considerable advantage. It would the Trustees have some cause of complaint at the have access to the Bay of Bengal, and would caution of the Imperial Institute Authorities thus be in touch with European ports. Besides who have a large collection made in Hongkong that, it would in all probability establish eon- munications between China and two enormous
some years ago, the loan of which was declined it appears. reservoirs of men and wealth-Burma and Bengal.
H
To recapitulate, though the project of railway from Haiphong to Central China seems so tempting, the fact must be faced that for a long time the traffic receipts would be small in proportion to the amount of capital that would have to be risked. If we finish the railway at Yunnan-fu, the yearly traffic, reckoning all expenses, might be at least 100,00 · fons on the Vietri-Laokai trunk and 50,000 to 60,000 tons on the Laokai-Yunnanfu branch. Other motives, however, illustrate the advisability of a line from Laokai to Meng-ise, and eveu to Yunnan- fu. The security of our Colony demands that we shall not let another European Power settle boldly on the high table-lands close to Toukin, and our prestige requires us to fulfil all our en gagements. Nevertheless, we must not delude ourselves. For a long time we should have a heary charge to support; that fact must be appreciated. We must try a plan that will adapt itself to the country and the insignificant transit wo can foresee. We could ccnstruct the line at first from Laokai to Meng-tse only, and later, extend it to Yuunan-fu.
Mr. Hooper in his Report on the Department of Hackney Carriages and Jinrikshas in Singa- pore for 1900, writes:-The numerous complaints I receive against syces of extortion, rudeness, refusing hire without any reasonable excuse, show the need for dealing with these men in a summary way, and until I am empowered to revoke or suspend the licenses of drivers who misconduct themselves, no improvement can be looked for. The public will no. prosecute, and it is futile referring people to the Police Court to proceed by summons. The conduct of the licens d drivers, especially towards passengers, is often a scandal to the port, and reference to any of the Mail Steamship Agents will confirm and support what I state.
Amongst the contributions can be found many names well known in China; but probably a very large share of the organising and arranging has fallen to the judicious hands of Mr. J. B. Conghtree : and if one were to single any exhibit for its domestic interest, whie' seems to be the principal characteristic of the ex- hibition, that of Mrs. Cantlig will doubtless
receive much attention.
SWATOW.
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.
Swatow, 23rd August. CLAN FIGHTS-THE VICEROY'S REPLY. In answer to the German consuls protest anent the clan fights in the surrounding districts, Viceroy Tao Mo promises to send troops from Canton to quell the riotous villagers and to punish the ringle:ders severely. He further more intends investigating the causes of the feud and finding out whenes the people are supplied with the necessary arms and am.
munition.
THE VIPERE
went for another cruise, recounoitring about the island of Namnon, whence she returned on the 19th inst and, having presumably brought her mission to an end, teft here for Hongkong the following day, ria im Bay, where there is
an R.C. mission.
A NEW HOUSE-TAX.
Proclamations have been posted all over the city informing the native population that beginning with the 9th Chinese Moon a tax on Chinese houses will be levied amounting to? per cent, of the rental. This new collection, I presume, is to go towards the fund for paying off the indemnity.
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The Viceroy of this province, in a memorial to the local officials, strictly enjoins them to carry out their new duties, non-fulfilment of
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establishing a State Lottery, which, however, is to be managed by foreigners. As this item of news has not appeared yet in the foreigu press, I give it for all it is worth.
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U.S.S.WILMINGTON arrived this morning from Hongkong.
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TONKIN NOTES.
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
Hanoi, 13th August.
PRINCE YUKANTHOR. Prince Yukanthor-we have not forgotten
his sojourn at Paris and his accusations against the French colonial administration-has be-n sentenced to the capital penalty by the royal native court in Pusm-Penh, Cambodia.
THE BAC NINH MURDER,
Tho
contractor lately assassinated in Bac Ninh, have Several of the murderers of M. Martin, the
brigades of the " Garde Indigeno "hopo shortly been caught by Inspector Lambert.
to get at Giang and the other accessories to this murder.
OBITUARY.
Mrs. Michel, wife of M. Michel, Procureur Général and Chef du Service Judiciairo in
Tonkin, is dead, at 30 years of age,
A REFORM SCHEME.
Chine, is now in Paris. M. Jung is the man- M. Juug, formerly Vice-Rosident in Indo-
datory of numerous colonists, traders and manufacturers, for presenting to Parliament remodelling our colonial administration. This and in the metropolitan Press a schome for
very complete scheme is a detailed criticism of present ut de choses and asks for numerous roforms which, according to M. Jung and his constituents, would better meet the real needs of the Colony than the methods now obtaining.
THE YUNNAN MISSION.
The Ynnuan Mission, directed by M. François, which met it on i's arrival. The journey from Consul General, is enchanted of the reception Hanoi to Yuuuaufn was effected under very excellent conditions, notwithstanding several rainy day, M. François, who had preceded the rest of the mission, has been very satisfied with the Chitese authorities' welcome. The relations with mandarins are for the moment excellent, and the population does not show the least hostility.
Hanoi, 20th August.
RED RIVER DISASTER.
Drowning accidents are more and more fre- quent in the Song Coi (Red Rivor). During the last few days, tho body of a native, 25 to years old, was found in the river near the steamboat wharf back. Surely precautious might be taken for the future to avort these constant accidents,
GOOD CROPS
The crops have been very good in all the Colony, and especially in the Delta, during this ¦ past first half of present year. The statistics show a very appreciab'o growth in agricultural traffic.
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HANOI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSY. At its last meetings the Chamber of Com- merce of Hanoi protested against the pro- rogation of the contract giving the exploita. tion of the Haiphong and Hansi docks to a private contractor. The same body too expressed a the wish to obtain ou Messageries Fluvales steamboats a reserved place for goods and products destined for the upper regions of Tonkin. After that, the Chamber of Commerco asked for the promulgation in the colony of the “syndicats professionnels " and " conseils de prudhommes" laws. It has been also decided to send these resolutions to the Haiphong Chamber Commerce and the Tonkin Agrical- tural Chamber, inviting them to follow this example.
A NEW DJ LL.
The inauguration ceremony has taken placɔ at Quyen Quang of a bell destined for use in the Catholic church of this fine little city. This 'bell, named Maria Fides," has been bought