22
23
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General Conclusions.
For those who are interested in Yünnan and its trade, I beg to submit the following remarks and suggestions :-
1. It must be remembered that Yünnan is out of the great current of China trade. Whether the year is going to be a good or a bad one depends wholly on the local opium and rice harvest, which in their turn depend on the weather. If this is favourable, we may be sure that there will be money to be spent in the ensuing autumn and winter trading season; therefore, merchants who wish to try a venture in Yünnan should inform themselves as to the harvest.
2. The part of Yunnan which may be conveniently served by our Burmah route is, on the whole, considerably more populous than the part of Yunnan served by the French or Red River route; the Burmah trade has hitherto been half strangled by the ravages of Chinese tax-collectors, but now that Teng Yueh is an "open port," under Sir Robert Hart's supervision, there is every reason to hope for a great expansion of trade.
It will, however, be necessary to take severe measures against the attempts of the officials to recommence illegal exactions.
3. The most urgent need of Teng Yueh trade is an export product to give in return for Indian yarn and cotton goods. This is especially necessary just now, as the balance of trade is heavily against Teng Yueh; merchants whose capital is silver have to liquidate their debts in appreciated rupees; there is only one export possible at present, and that is opium; the obsolete rules which prohibit the Yunnan drug being taken across Burmah, en route to Canton and Shanghae, should be at once abolished.
4. The importance of Yunnan as a possible field of supply for ponies and mules should not be lost sight of.
5. Every effort should be made to establish a cotton cloth-weaving industry in the Teng Yuch or Yung Chang valleys, and so to undo a part of the injury which Burmah trade has suffered from the long delay in opening Teng Yueh.
6. I am inclined to think a European firm might establish itself with advantage at Teng Yueh. The trade would not bear a large and expensive European staff; what is wanted is rather some one of energy and tact who would be content to rough it, in the hope of opening new lines of trade, especially of export trade, which the Chinese, when left to themselves, are exceedingly slow to attempt. I strongly recommend the employment of Indian, preferably Mahommedan, travelling agents in the interior.
7. Hsia Kuan is a centre of the greatest importance to Burmah trade, and I would suggest the establishment of a foreign agency there, under the direction of Chinese, but to be visited from time to time by a European merchant.
8. The Ta Li third-moon fair is worth attending, as something might there be learned of prospects of trade.
9. The duties levied at Rangoon on all goods not of Indian origin destined for consumption in China should be suppressed. It would be easy for the Government of Burmah to arrange for a system of drawbacks in co-operation with the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs.
10. Among the articles of import which I noted down in the course of my journey as likely to have an extended market in West Yunnan are blankets, cheap clocks, and watches, mirrors, enamelled ironware, cheap ribbons and laces for trimmings, pocket-knives, padlocks, umbrellas, leather belts, the stouter cottons, such as American drills, cotton prints of a gaudy pattern, Turkey reds, cigarettes, jade, coral, and amber.
Among possible exports from Yunnan, ponies and mules, musk, hemp, straw braid, rhubarb, drugs consumed by Chinese, wool and furs from Lichiang, bristles, silk from South-west Szechuan, would seem to deserve attention. It must be remembered that up-country Chinese traders are fond of false-packing and other frauds, and by no means comprehend the necessity of goods being up to sample.
11. I should be very sorry to offer any advice about mines in the part of Yunnan which my Report deals with. Salt and copper are the mineral products of which I saw most, but they are both in the hands of official monopolists. Until better informed, I venture to doubt whether there are any mines in this part of Yunnan which would pay for the cost of transporting foreign machinery and paying for foreign engineers. When the upper waters of the Irrawadi have been brought under control by Burmah, it might be well to prospect there for nephrite (jade), which will always command a great market in China.
12. The geological and ethnological features of the Upper Mekong and Salwen are of the utmost interest, and call for careful examination by trained observers with plenty of time, as regards the very mixed population of this district, it would appear to be derived from two sources :-
(a.) Migration south from Thibet, a country which cannot support a large population. This migration is represented by Kachins, Mossos, Lisaw, Lashi, and probably Lolos.
(b.) Migrations west from the Yang-tsze Valley, represented by the Shans and later by the Chinese.
The Minchia, who seem to occupy more territory than is commonly supposed, may or may not, on inquiry, be found to represent an old stock who had attained a certain degree of civilization before the other migrations commenced.
SUMMARY of Stages in North-West Yunnan.
Name of Place Distance In Miles In Hours Remarks Erh Taun 12 6 Out of Yunnan Plain to north; over a col and down a defile to north. Che Pei 16 7 Out of defile, through the valley of Fu Min, and north on left bank of Anning River. Hao Chi Pa 18 8 Up to table-land, and descend to a valley. Yuan Meng, or Ma Kai 15 7 Over a col to north-west of Wuting and down to cultivated valley. Wu Ting Chou Lui Chi Po 16 6 Over pass of Shih Ta La and descend to ridge, where camp. Lui Shu Taug, near Pei Yen 19 8 Descent from ridge to a valley running north and south. K'ang Hsien Chiao 18 8 West over a range and down to a small valley. Along close gorge, south-west, then over a col and into cultivated valley. Miao Men 9 Out of valley, west; over a range and down to plain. Lang Chuan Miao 16 7 12 miles in fertile valley; then over low col and down steep to valley of Pei Yen Tsing. Tu Yao Hsien 16 7 Over range on west of Pei Yeu Tsing and down to river in a defile. Ch'u Chang 16 7 In gorge of river. Mi Tien 17 Out of gorge and up on to a cultivated valley. West and then north through a defile to Chiao Ting Valley, and through another defile to Pin Chuan Plain. Pin Chuan 18 8 North-north-west over downs in direction of Chi Shan. Fu Tien Chuang 17 8 North ascent of part of Chi Shan. Shih Tan Temple 19 West, along the Chi Shan to summit. North-west descent to a small valley. Chia Hsa Temple West, over a low col and then round north bead of Ta Li Lake. Ta Wang Miao Shang Kuan South, by the lake shore. Ta Li Fu North, through the valleys of Teng Chuan and Lang K'ung. (Shang Kuan to) Ying Shan North-east, through Niu Kai Valley, and commence ascent. P'u North-east, over Kwa La Pass and descend to large city in a rich valley. San Chiu Tang 15 North, up Ho Ching Valley. Ho Ching Chou 11 Ch'i Ho 16 North, over rocky col and to valley of Lichiang. Li Chiang Fu 11 North, up plain on east side of snow mountain and descent to small river. Hei Shui Ho 16 North and west, along spurs on east side of snow mountain, and then west towards the Yang-sze. 15 10 West, down valley to banks of Yang-tsze. 19 Over high spur to south, and back to near Hei Shui Ho. Chu Lo 16 10 Redescend north section of Lichiang Plain. Ta Ku Over low col to Lashi Pa Plain and Lake. Hei Pou Shao 10 West, over pass, and descend to banks of Yang-tsze. Pei Sha Kai Tai Ho Tsun A-Hsi Perry* 544 *
** CODE **
क
22
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General Conclusions.
For those who are interested in Yünnan and its trade, I beg to submit the following remarks and suggestions :-
1. It must be remembered that Yünnan is out of the great current of China trade. Whether the year is going to be a good or a bad one depends wholly on the local opium and rice harvest, which in their turn depend on the weather. If this is favourable, we may be sure that there will be money to be spent in the ensuing autumn and winter trading season; therefore, merchants who wish to try a venture in Yünnan should inform themselves as to the harvest.
2. The part of Yunnan which may be conveniently served by our Burmah route is, on the whole, considerably more populous than the part of Yunnan served by the French or Red River route; the Burmah trade has hitherto been half strangled by the ravages of Chinese tax-collectors, but now that Teng Yueh is an "open port," under Sir Robert Hart's supervision, there is every reason to hope for a great expanson of trade.
It will, however, be necessary to take severe measures against the attempts of the officials to recommence illegal exactions.
3. The most urgent need of Teng Yueh trade is an export product to give in return for Indian yarn and cotton goods. This is especially necessary just now, as the balance of trade is heavily against Teng Yueh; merchants whose capital is silver have to liquidate their debts in appreciated rupees; there is only one export possible at present, and that is opium; the obsolete rules which prohibit the Yunnan drug being taken across Burmah, en route to Canton and Shanghae, should be at once abolished.
4. The importance of Yunnan as a possible field of supply for ponies and mules should not be lost sight of.
5. Every effort should be made to establish a cotton cloth-weaving industry in the Teng Yuch or Yung Chang valleys, and so to undo a part of the injury which Burmab trade has suffered from the long delay in opening Teng Yueh.
6. I am inclined to think a European firm might establish itself with advantage at Teng Yueh. The trade would not bear a large and expensive European staff; what is wanted is rather some one of energy and tact who would be content to rough it, in the hope of opening new lines of trade, especially of export trade, which the Chinese, when left to themselves, are exccedingly slow to attempt. I strongly recommend the employ- ment of Indian, preferably Mahommedan, travelling agents in the interior.
7. Hsia Kuan is a centre of the greatest importance to Burmah trade, and I would suggest the establishment of a foreign agency there, under the direction of Chinese, but to be visited from time to time by a European merchant.
8. The Ta Li third-moon fair is worth attending, as something might there be learned of prospects of trade.
9. The duties levied at Rangoon on all goods not of Indian origin destined for consumption in China should be suppressed. It would be easy for the Government of Burmah to arrange for a system of drawbacks in co-operation with the Chinese Imperial Maritime Custonis.
10. Among the articles of import which I noted down in the course of my journey as likely to have an extended market in West Yunnan are blankets, cheap clocks, and watches, mirrors, enamelled ironware, cheap ribbons and laces for trimmings, pocket- knives, padlocks, umbrellas, leather belts, the stouter cottons, such as American drills, cotton prints of a gaudy pattern, Turkey reds, cigarettes, jade, coral, and amber.
Among possible exports from Yunnan, ponies and mules, musk, hemp, straw braid, rhubarb, drugs consumed by Chinese, wool and furs from Lichiang, bristles, silk from South-west Szechuan, would seem to deserve attention. It must be remembered that up-country Chinese traders are fond of false-packing and other frauds, and by no means comprehend the necessity of goods being up to sample.
11. I should be very sorry to offer any advice about mines in the part of Yunnan which my Report deals with. Salt and copper are the mineral products of which I saw most, but they are both in the hands of official monopolists. Until better informed, I venture to doubt whether there are any mines in this part of Yunnan which would pay for the cost of transporting foreign machinery and paying for foreign engineers. When the upper waters of the Irrawadi have been brought under control by Burmah, it might be well to prospect there for nephrite (jade), which will always command a great market in China.
12. The geological and ethnological features of the Upper Mekong and Salwen are of the utmost interest, and call for careful examination by trained observers with plenty
of time, as regards the very mixed population of this district, it would appear to be derived from two sources :-
(a.) Migration south from Thibet, a country which cannot support a large popula. This migration is represented by Kachins, Mossos, Lisaw, Lashi, and probably
tion. Lolos.
(b.) Migrations west from the Yang-tsze Valley, represented by the Shans and later by the Chinese.
The Minchia, who seem to occupy more territory than is commonly supposed, may or may not, on inquiry, be found to represent an old stock who had attained a certain degree of civilization before the other migrations commenced.
SUMMARY of Stages in North-West Yunnan.
Distance-
Name of Place.
In Miles.
In Hours.
Erh Taun,.
Che Pei ..
Hao Chi Pa
Yuan Meng, or Ma Kai
Remarks.
Out of Yunnan Plain to north; over a col and down
a defile to north.
Out of defile, through the valley of Fu Min, and
north on left bank of Anning River.
Up to table-land, and descend to a valley.
Over a col to north-west of Wuting and down to
cultivated valley.
Over pass of Shih Ta La and descend to ridge, where
camp.
Yunnan-fu to-
12
6
16
7
Wu Ting Chou Lui Chi Po
15
Y
18
8
15
7
16
6
Descent from ridge to a valley running north and
south.
:
16
7
14
Â
16
7
Lui Shu Taug, near Pei Yen
Teing
19
81
K'ang Hsien Chiao,.
18
8
9
16
16
Miao Men
Lang Chuan Miao
Tu Yao Hsien
Ch'u Chang
Mi Tien .. Pin Chuan
Fu Tien Chuang
Shih Tan Temple
Chia Hsa Temple
Ta Wang Miao Shang Kuan
Ta Li Fu..
::
(Shang Kuan to) Ying Shan
P'u
San Chiu Tang
Ho Ching Chou
·
**
* 544
* CODE **
क
West over a range and down to a small valley. Along close gorge, south-west, then over a col and
into cultivated valicy.
Out of valley, west; over a range and down to
plain.
12 miles in fertile valley; then over low col and
down steep to valley of Pei Yen Tsing.
Over range on west of Pei Yeu Tsing and down to
river in a defile.
In gorge of river.
Out of gorge and up on to a cultivated valley. West and then north through a defile to Chiao Ting Valley, and through another defile to Pin Chuan Plain.
North-north-west over downs in direction of Chi
Shan.
North ascent of part of Chi Shan.
West, along the Chi Shan to summit. North-west descent to a small valley.
West, over a low col and then round north bead of
Ta Li Lake.
South, by the lake shore.
North, through the valleys of Teng Chuan and Lang
K'ung.
North-east, through Niu Kai Valley, and commence
ascent.
North-east, over Kwa La Pass and descend to large
eity in a rich valley.
North, up Ho Ching Valley.
15
11
5
17
16
17
18
7
17
8
19
Ch'i Ho
16
Li Chiang Fu
11
Hei Shui Ho
16
North, over rocky col and to valley of Lichiang. North, up plain on east side of snow mountain and
descent to small river.
15
10
19
North and west, along spurs on east side of snow mountain, and then west towards the Yang-sze. West, down valley to banks of Yang-tsze. Over high spur to south, and buck to near Hei
Shui Ho.
16
10
Redescend north section of Lichiang Plain. Over low col to Lashi Pa Plain and Lake.
10
West, over pass, and descend to banks of Yang-tsze.
Chu Lo
Ta Ku
..
Hei Pou Shao
Pei Sha Kai
Tai Ho Tsun A-Hsi Perry
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