January 4, 1909.]
In the early part of June there was a consider- able increase in the number of steamers laid us in Hongkong and during that month rates generally were on the decline. They improved very little in July, but large shipments of sugar to the United States materially helped to remove from the coast some of the large colliers which had come out with bunkers for the American fleet. August maintained its bad reputation as one of the dullest months in the year, and owners had a hard fight to secure employment. This general dulness continued during September and rates dropped still further. There was a slight improvement during the month of October by reason of the fact that a number of vessels found employment in the Wuhu-Swatow trade, owing to trouble having arisen between shippers and the regular lines, and several steamers which were laid up at Hongkong and other places went north to enter into this trade; but owing to the number of boats competing, rates did not reach a satisfactory level. The freights obtained in November left much to be desired, while there was a slight improvement in the market in December.
If no extraordinary events cause a rise in the markets during the coming year it is anticipated that freights, while slowly tending upward, will drag along in much the same unsatisfactory way as during the last two years. A better business is, however, expected in the Newchwang-Canton market.
COAL.
There has practically been no change between this year and 1907 in the Coal market except on contracts, which have shown a slight advance in prices. All principal consumers had their Coals contracted for and very few extra sales have been effected during the year under review. The following is a general review for the year :-
Japanese Coals—About 850,000 bons reached Hongkong during the year, the quantity being about the same as 1907. The Mitsui Bussan Kaisha, being the largest importers, contributed over 400,000 tons including those cargoes discharged at Canton. As mentioned in our last year's report, small steamers with full and or part cargoes are now going direct to Canton for discharge, thus saving the boat hire between this and Canton. The Mitsu Bishi Goshi Kwaisha rank second in the list of importers the quantity imported by them amounting to about 150,000 tons. They are suppliers to the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., Canadian Pacific Railway and other Steamship Companies. The principal loading ports in Japan are Moji, Kutchinōtsu, Karatsu and Mororan, the latter port being the loading port for Yubari Lamp Coal.
all of which was landed into godowns. Forty Cardiff Coals-About 50,000 tons arrived here thousand tons came to the Admiralty. Small sales were effected ex godown and/or trimmed into bunkers.
+
Australian Coals-The Messageries Maritimes Company, whose arrivals amounted to over 38,000 tons, imported the Coal for the use of their mail steamers. Other arrivals from Australia aggregate about 40,000 tons, a small portion of which was sold to Chinese; the bulk however was taken into consumption by the
importers.
Bengal Coal-There being no demand for this Coal, no local firm imported any into the Colony during the year for sale.
Hongay Coal-Some 95,000 tons reached here by small steamers most of them proceeding to Canton with their cargoes.
Pulo Laut Only a few small steamers of about 2,000 tons arrived during the year.
Tsingtau Coal-There is practically no de- mand for this coal, the list of arrivals being of no importance.
Tourane Kebao and Haiphong Coals-Several small steamers with these coals arrived during the year all proceeding to Canton for the discharge of their cargoes.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION IN CHINA.
ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT.
The annual meeting of this association was held at Shanghai last week. The membership now stands at Honorary 3; Resident 122; Non- Resident 93; total 218.
The President (Mr. Murray Warner) said: In moving the adoption of the Report of the
certain matters connected therewith:
ommittee, I desire to call your attention to Under our Ronstitution it is primarily the object of this Association;-(1) To foster and safeguard the commercial and other interests of the Citizens of the United States in Asia. (2) To gather and distribute information of import feeling between Americans and natives of the ance to its members. (3) To promote good East. (4) To secure proper celebration of the National Holidays. (5) To promote, in the Consular Service, the principles of uniform selection for proved fitness, regular promotion, security of tenure during efficient service and adequate compensation.
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That the original Memorial recommended the Assessor system, rather than the Jury system, was because (as your President told you last year,) the Committee was not quite clear in its mind as to whether the American Communities, elsewhere than at Shanghai, were able to support a. Jury system. That Committee took what appeared to it to be the safe side.-It was the intention of the Memorial to recommend the nearest approach to a Jury system that could be provided by the smaller communities. There was not then time before the Memorial was prepared for a canvass of the Outports to ascer- tain their strength. A careful canvass has now shown an almost unanimous desire for a Jury system, and has demonstrated clearly the ability of the Outports to support such a system. Your Committee, upon the information collected made certain recommendations, which were at variance, in a small degree, with the original Memorial, and referred the matter to you for your approval or of resolutions, you passed at a special general rejection. These recommendations, in the form
meeting and they have been forwarded to Washington; and we hope and believe, that when legislation is enacted, full consideration will be given to your expressed preferences. There was a small opposition, not, we believe, to the spirit of the resolutions, but rather to any Referring to these in their regular order, alteration in the Memorial for fear it might under heading 1 and 2, the subject of legisla delay the legislation which is so much desired. tion receives first thought. In this Association's It is not, and never was, the intention of this Memorial of a year ago, addressed to the Presi- Committee to depart from the general spirit of dent and Congress of the United States, asking the Memorial. The needs therein expressed are as urgent to-day as they were a year ago. Had for special legislation for Americans in China, your Committee specified certain things that the Committee thought that, by altering certain were greatly needed-A code of laws and minor features of the Memorial, it would in any statutory enactment regarding extradition was
way jeopardize or delay the much-needed asked for as were a law of real property, and legislation for China, it would have hesitated laws of bankruptcy, admiralty and divorce. Cer-before offering any modifications. tain recommendations in connection with sug- gested legislation were also made, and reasons given therefor. I quote from the Memorial: to the fact that there has been considerable "In this connection, attention is also invited discussion among Americans in China, on the subject of the need of Assessors to sit with the Court in the trial of criminal cases for the purpose of aiding the Court in passing judgment upon the facts. This Association is of the opinion that some provision should be made covering this system to China at this time." Again, I quote, matter, since it is inadvisable to extend the jury this time from the Memorandum on the Judi ciary "The Judge of the U.S. Court is now the sole Judge in all cases and American citizens are subject to his sole decision, unaided and uncontrolled by Jury or Assessors, and it is
suggested that the Court might consist of the Assessors from whose decision, if unanimous, Judge, the Assistant Judge, and one or more appeal should be permitted on points of law but
not of fact.
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Upon this point I may say, that the Com- mittee does not apprehend any delay owing to these changes; there is every reason to believe The Committee believe that by showing an that all attention will be given to your wishes. active and intelligent interest in these matters, you will get a just consideration from those able to help you to what you want.
Another matter which has had the attention
of your Committee is the Native Bank Notes. In realising the readiness with which all of all substantial Banking Institutions, the foreigners receive and pay out the Bank notes native Banks have discovered a method by which money could be had without interest and at the nominal cost of printing. Numbers of Banks have already issued notes and by judiciously distributing these notes over a large area they have floated large issues.
but in the great majority of cases, there is Behind these promises to pay, there may be in somė cases great financial strength,
no known specific reserve or guarantee of
A part any kind to inspire confidence.
In response to your request and suggestions, there were altogether three Bills introduced into the work to your new Committee will Congress during the year, which were supposed to assist in pointing out the dangers of such to be based upon the Memorial of this Associa-methods of finance, which, if unchecked, may mean in the not distant future deplorable dis- tion. One of these Bills, introduced in the Senate, trust and financial trouble. provided for Probate, Domicile, Extradition and the Code of California, and while it carefully eliminated the Jury system from the California Code it made no provision for Assessors to the House of Representatives provided a very replace the Jury. The two Bills introduced in excellent method of choosing Assessors and then attend Court throughout the course of the action adds: "The duty of an Assessor shall be to
findings of fact, in the course of the action, if and. until discharged or dismissed, to give required by the Judge, but the findings of the fact etc., shall be solely that of the Judge."
It is plainly evident, that, although, the Bills ostensibly embodied the suggestion of the Memorial, in providing for a system of Assessors, they nevertheless failed to satisfy, in any degree, the spirit, of the Memorial which intended to
Under heading 3-The visit, of Tang Shao-yi gave your Committee an opportunity for a friendly talk on matters of general interest
of the return of a part of the Boxer Indemnity, to Chinese and Americans. The Chinese have shown, in a most happy way their appreciation by using this money for the education of Chinese students have already gone to America and one students in American schools and colleges. Many
come. The visit of the American Fleet to China hundred a year are to be sent for some time to
gave an opprtunity for much good feeling and it was with regret the Association heard that
the Fleet would not visit Shanghai, thus precluding our taking any active part in this Official expression of good will."
Service; I should like to say a word. It is with Referring to heading 5.-The Consular
Tairen Coal-During the middle of December provide for a control in the finding of fact. pleasure and no small amount of gratification
the 8.8. Shibetori Maru arrived here with 4,000 tons of Bujen Coal, this being a new coal from South Manchuria. The Mitsui Bussan Kaisha
are the importers and the whole cargo was sold
to Chinese.
Mr. John Blechynden, who is well known locally by his connection with Shanghai's Docks, has recently undergone an operation in the Shanghai General Hospital
tions on such a vital point were so misunderstood When it was apparent that your recommends or neglected, your Committee, after full discussion, telegraphed to Washington, suggest ing that legislation, in repect to the laws for the U.S. Court for China be withheld until the Association could be heard from. It then became the duty of the Committee to ascertain and set forth, in no uncertain terms, the wishes
of the Americans in China.
made, during the past year, to the posts of that we are able to review the appointments Consuls-General, Consul and Vice-Consuls. Practically all the appointments were made by the promotion of men trained in the Service, and it is to be hoped that the successor to the present Secretary of State, will continue the administration along these lines, which have proved successful in giving us the efficient
Con sular Service which we(Applause) now have.
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