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June 29, 1907.]
marriage had socially united Spain and England, it was but natural that all three should desire to see the harmony accented by a formal acknowledgement. This is the true explanation of the understanding which, contains no Dew feature not already dis- counted. Germany has been inwardly fancying, it is true, that the alliance is deliberately intended against her: but of this there is absolutely no evidence. As a fact, Jermany has preferred to act alone, and without conferring with her neighbours; and this though possibly intended in a per- fectly friendly spirit has as a matter of necessity left her isolated. The man who, has determined to play his game off his own bat, however friendly his fellows may be, can hardly look forward to being consulted about the intricacies of the game; and this what Germany, as led by sensib'e men, is at last beginning to perceive. On the result depends, most probably, not the peace, but certainly much of the pleasure of the future international amenities of Europe.
THE YANGTZE PORTS.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
427
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settlement outside the walls can now realize relations of America and China. In it he the position. All business was entirely contends that the Americans themselves suspended for several weeks. Yet there are to blame for the weakening of those was a scarcity of water towards the end of relations. Good products plentifully and the year, and the approaches ceased quickly delivered, together with the Chinese |
to be navigable much Booner than recognition of the fact that America desired usual. The only item of particular to annex none of China's territory, put interest in the Yochow report is the American merchauts in a strong position contemplated introduction of a service about the time that the Philippines were of motorboats between Hank w
and captured. The chief reason for the loss of Changsha, which ought to reward the their popularity was the mistake made with enterprising Chinese merchant concerned. the Hankow-Canton railway concession. Hankow reports an actual gain of business, The re-selling of that concession at although the figures generally show a profit, instead of completing the contract decrease. There was more stuff, but dear to make the line, convinced the Chinese silver made the value appear less. The that the Americans were nothing more development of the settlement proceeded nor less than scalpers in the markets apace, and shinping showed another great of China." When Professor JENKS WAS increase, 316,685 tons more than in 1905. in China to reform the currency of the The Kiukinng Commissioner emphasizes the Empire, he said to Mr. JEENIGAN that the success of Japanese trade; Wuhu reports a action of the American Company in connec serious falling off in exports, while imports tion with the Hankow-Canton railway remained about level; and Nanking transaction had been placed before him with experienced some improvement. New an emphatic reminder of its turpitude by foreign-style shops and houses were every Chinese official he had talked with introduced, and though rents doubled, the and had clouded his mission with the demand seemed unaffected. The figures ominous signs of failure. All the trouble showed a slight decrease in volume of trade, since experienced in connection with but for reasons already indicated, these that line was being charge against the comparisons are no longer to be relied upon. American Company. The later boycott of Trade all round was brisker though local American merchants and gods would not crops were bad. At Chinkiang, with similar have been so widespread and intense, Mr. drawbacks, the revenue reached the highest JERNIGAN says, but for that incident; an 1 total hitherto recorded. Of an increase of be considers the harshness of the Customs over two million taels, or fifty per cent., in officials at San Francisco" would not have the total value of foreign imports the been sufficient as an excuse, without som Japanese contributed half, their share having more than doubled. Hongkong sent an increase of Tls. 800,000, the Americans Tls. 287,000 more. British Tls, 28,000 more and the Germans Tls. 45,000 more. Direct trade with Singapore decreased by Tls. 179,000. The Japanese contribution consisted mainly of coal, matches, and sugar. Sugar imports of all kinds increased nearly Tls. 1,500,000.
ase
(Daily Press, 28th June). The second fascicle for this year of the trade statistics issued by the Inspectorate General of Chinese Customs covers the ten Yangtze ports, Chungking to Chinkiang. From most of these places comes a note of disappointment in the report for 1906. At Chungking, the year opened well, with fairly brisk trade for three months, but depression ruled the rest of the year. High exchange hampered trade a good deal. There was fortunately, a good rice crop, and foreign goods were imported three million taels in excess of the previous year's value. Cigarette making is a new industry of this locality, which had already six match factories. It is also a big opium growing district, but the poppy crops were much damaged last year. Life insurance has "'caught on with the people of Chungking. "Strong rivalry has arisen between sugar Ichang in 1906 had to be grateful for good from the refineries in Japan and that from food crops. The figures of this place are of refineries in Hongkong. In July a Japanese very little assistance, as it is a mere tranship-committee met the Chinese sugar brokers of ment stage and taxing station for the trade thinking and placed before them samples of of Szechwan. Also, the Customs have and smell with other sugars on the market. sugars comparing favourably in colour, taste, changed their system of accounts agaiu, and These samples were submitted to a European goods in transit no longer swell the gross expert, who pronounced them to be extracts value, so that comparisons with previous from Java cane, of which Japan is now importing figures could only mislead. The foreign trade considerable quantities. It seems to me probable, up here was represented by ninety thousand however, that Japan would also a large taels worth of direct transhipments from proportion of Formosan cane in her refineries, Hongkong. A Cantonese dealer introduced refined sugar on the market to compete with In August they placed about 12,000 bigs of last year ample shipment of Patna
he produce of the Hongkong refineries at the opium, with results not encouraging. following prices for similar grades: Japanese, Native opium was, however, increasingly Tls. 6.1 Tlx. 590, and Tls. 5.70 per picul; popular, and 41,887 piculs passed the against Hongkong. Tis. 615, Tls. 5.95, and Customs as against 36,311 in 1905. Shasi, Tls. 5.70 per picul. In December these prices the next port, did not enjoy a prosperous 515, as against Tla. 5.55. Tls. 535, and year. Floods, famine, and high exchange Tlg. 5.1. The Chinese have found by caute legeneral distress, and the last foreign experience that the Japan se sugar under fim (except shipping companie-) closed its storage deteriorates rapidly in appearance, taste, doors. Lack of facilities for loading cirgo, and smell, indicating & want of knowledge in and the irregular steamer service, prevent
the refining process. With the advantage of trade growth here. Between Shasi and importation in subsidised steamer lines and, it is Hosueh-chiefly on Tukkechow-a consider said, of bounty.fed factories, the competition is able amount of washing for gold is done. likely to be maintained. The Swatow sugars, From 200 to 300 men
though dearer, being hand refined, are sweeter, are earning a0
and for sweetmeat making are not li-ely to be average of 200 cash each a day. The gold displaced, as catty is equal to 1 calties of fetches only 27 oz. of silver per ounce foreign reflued sugar.' locally. The record for Changsha in 1906 is a stormy one. Early in the year they had 26 inches of rain. The river rose eleven feet in a day. The Bund was
(Daily Press, 27th June.) submerged nearly ten feet, "higher than Those who have any knowledge of Mr. T. anything recorded during the past 300 R. JERNIGAN or of his writings do not need years." Sanipans, on a level with the to be told that he is an American of con- eaves, thronged what are usually busy siderable China experience, whose views are thorough-fares." Those who remember the always worth listening to. He has recently contention that Changsha was sufficiently published in our Shanghai contemporary a open" by offering foreign merchants along and interesting article on the trade
bad fallen to Tls. 5.30, Tls. 5.35, and Tis.
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AMERICA AND CHINA.
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ulterior preceding cause." What he calls "the Sin Francisco incident" was more of a pretext thau a real cause." We will not detract from the importance of the railway incident. The Chinese certainly would not enjoy paying Americans a cumshaw lik
hit. But if Mr. JERNIGAN would recognise that there was inuch more than one Sin Francisco "incident," he need not go further for ulterior prece ling causes of displeasur The ill-treatment of Chiueza on the Cali- forui in coast was no new item of news to the Chinese. Such incidents have always been plentiful; they are going on still; aud angels could not persuad: the Asiatics that the Americans of that locality have ever been models of tolerance or courtesy. The bycott came, not with the first pretex, but with the first recognition (due to study in foreign methods and mauners) that a weapon lay to their hands. At least they thought it dil. The weakest people would be powerful if that weapon were always available, but it is a weapon that requiras special ammunition-powder of unanimity and shot of cherence. It was the failure of ammunition that caused the failure of the weap in, as we sail it would at the time. As a loyal American, we can understand Mr. JERNIGAN's grudging admission that
04
possibly some harshness may have been used," but it is now too late in the day to accept it as the whole truth. The general body of Americans is suffering because of the virus in a limb; they are all having to pay for the determination of the Califor uians, just as the English may one day suffer inconvenienes owing to Australia's local policy.
CHINA ASSOCIATION REPORT.
•
(Daily Press, 28th June.)
Most of the questions mentioned in the annual report of the China Association have, as the Hongkong Chairman expressed it in a letter to the Londo committee, now passed for the time being into a quiescent stage." Soma progress is notal, but on the whale the year's record cannot be called a jubilant one. In aɔm› instances the representations of the Caina Association