1916-08-12 — Page 2

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INTIMATIONS

THE HONGKONG DAILY →PRESN, DATUEDAY, AUGUST 12ra. 1916.

MOUTRIE PIANOS

HAVE

ESTABLISHED

an unequalled reputation for tone, touch, artistic construction and lasting qualities.

GUARANTEE

for

FIVE YEARS.

CASH OR EASY TERMS.

MOUTRIE'S

-120-6

"AMUSEMENT WITHOUT DISCOMFORT"

SEE:

PALISADE

THE

OUT-OF-DOOR-PICTURES

A YEAR OF MARKED LODAL PROSPERITY.

In his report on the Trade of Shanghaj during 1015, Mr. F. S. Unwin, Commis sioner of Customs, says: ---

SHANGHAI'S TRADE IN 1916. Owing to Germany's exclusion from the three years in suocession, however, there market, the port of artificial indigo have been excellent harvests of wheat in declined considerably, only 27,000 pienis the Yangtze Valley, and the suppression having passed the Customis in 1915, of poppy plantation and the opening of against 23,000 piculs in 1914 and 281,000 the Tsin-Fu Bailway have had the effect piouls in 1913. Aniline dyes, of a value of encouraging wheat-growing. Owing Amounting to Hk. Tia. 071,000, were into the war and the practical stoppage of ported at Shanghai during 1913 This the American flour supply, the Shanghai dropped to Hk. Tls. 1,929,000 in the fol product has been in great demand all lowing year, but, although the valus of over China. In the Kiangpeh district dyes had risen enormously, the quantity there are five mills at Haichow, Tung which arrived in 1915 represented only a chow, Tsingkisngpu, Kaoyu, and, Tai value of Hk. Tls 122,000 These figures chow From the two last-named places speak cloquently of the serious injury flour is shipped to Shanghai Chin suffered by the aniline dye industry skinng. At Shanghai wheat grown in the far as Shanghai trade is concerned... Wusih district is principally used. The A considerable drop is also to te quantity of Ameri an flour imported noticed in machinery, of which only during the years 1913, 1914, and 1015 was 2,200,000 tacls worth was imported in 106,465, 83,018, and 8,041 piculs respec

in 1914. When comparing these statisties to Chinese parts for the same years were it must be remembered that the European 1,492,000, 1,958,000, and 2,809,000 piculs, was has caused an unprecedented risa in anil, whereas no Chinese-milled flour was freight and in prices of raw materials sent abroad in either 1814 or 1014, no less and labour in all manufacturing centres, than 118,130 pienls left the country under necessitating a demand for very much special Government authority in 1915. higher prices from local consumers, Yet, China is thus in a position not only to in spite of all these drawbacks, a certain supply her own needs but to send large volume of business has been done in some quantities of flour abroad, kinds of machinery, notably cotton-spin- ring, for which several large contracts have been closed.

A

BATTLEFIELD. RECONCILIATION,

A French soldier, wounded in a recent: attack on the German trenches, describes a touching and dramatic experience in un Amiens newspaper. He says:-

"Quite near me lay two soldiers mor- tally wounded; one, a Bavarian, young. and fairbaired, with a gaping wound in his stomach, was lying close to n young Frenchman, hit in the side and head. Both were in horrible pain, growing poler and paler.

In the midst of my own distress I saw & feeble movement on the part of the hand under his cost for something hidde Frenchman, who painfully slipped his

away in his breast. At last he drew forth his hand, and in it a little silver crucifix, clearly, he began Hail Mary, full of Grace!

ly somewhat less, it is generally conceded 1915, against over 4 million tools worth tively; the shipments of Shanghai four which he pressed to his lips. Feebly but

Notwithstanding the continued and ever-increasing disorganisation of con murcu caused by the European war and not a little political unrest in China generally, shanghai is able to look back on 1915 ne a year of marked local pros perity. Though the aggregate volume of dis trade is smaller than that of rotne recent years and the revenue consequent-1 that business has been good all round and that returres to traders have been ex ceptionally satisfactory, particularly in the case of exports. Owing partly, no doubt, to the restrictions imposed on the import trade by the war and an abuur mally low silver exchange during the carly part of the year, but largely to derand created by the war itself, the value of the Chinese produce shipped abroad xceeds that of the foreign gods imported for the first time in a half- century, of the port's history, and the balano: in favour of exports would have been considerably heavier had there been a sufficient supply of tonnage to carry all the cargo offering. As it was, the avine of Chinese produce shipped abroad from Shanghai in 1915 exceeded all pre- vious years' returns and was over 20 mil lion tarls higher than in 1910 and 1913- t'll now the record years.

There were considerable increases in antimony are, pg iron, and quicksilver, the prices of which have riseaccent. per cent, s now the outbreak of war.

Then, as I watched, I saw somthing which moved me to tears, The Bavarian opened his blue eyes, which were already glazing with approaching death, turned is head. toward the Frenchman, and with a look not of hate but almost of love finished in a intrmer the prayer..

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us simers now and at the hour of death. The eyes each other. They were two Christians of the two men met and they understood who companions in a like misfortune

wished to die as Christians.

Frenchman held out his crucifix to the "In a sublime outburst of charity the other, who kissed it, and taking him by hand said, Having served our countries, let us go to God reconciled.'

TAD

Their eyes closed, a shiver through their bodies, and they passed away The sun, disappearing behind a- two blood stained bodies"

The continued influx into the Settlight be of interest to compare the local exported abroad during the year under purple cloud, shed a golden gleam on the

ments of wealthy Chinese and their families, the steady rise in the value of opium stocks, and the remarkable ap preciation of the shares of rubber com panies at the close of the year contributed to the development of Shanghai, ample evidence of "which is to be seen in the extraordinary activity of the building trade, the largely increased demand for electric power, and the growing returns

THE WESTERN BATTLE- GROUND.

The total value of metal imported dur ing wis declined by about 8 per cent. Silk is another article which shows big when compared with the previous year, increases when compared with 1914. During the latter half of the year it White raw re-reeled silk to the amount was almost impossible to import such of 19,300 piculs was sent abroad in 1915, goods from Great Britain, and resort was an increase of nearly 150 per cent, on had to the metal markets of Austerlin,that of the year previous and 1,000 piculs from which country imports steadily in nore than in 2013 Steam flature silk creased. To give some idea of the general als progressed, nearly 30,000 piculs, ise in the value of metals during 1915 it value Hk. The. 21,000,000, having been prices at the beginning and the end of review. The beginning of the year found the year, viz: Bar iron, Shy Tl. 4,75 the raw silk trade of Shanghai in general and Sh. Pls. 10; wire nails, Sh. Tla. 75 reovering from the heavy decline in and 86. Tls, 10; bamboo steel, Sh. The prices following the outbreak of war. and Sh. Th. 15 per picul respectively. The demand for silk in America in- As a result of Germany having been outcreased, owing to the great prosperity off from this trade, needles have fallen there and the difficulty of getting woollen considerably, only 136,000 mille arriving and cotton goods in Europe. A sudden in 1915, against 1,100,000 mille in 1014. demand has sprung up for white, silk for The total value of re-exports to foreign the Canton market, where foods destroy countries in 1815 was Hk. Tls. 14,500,000, ed a large part of the crops during the of the tramway and railway companies. an increase of over 60 per cent, on the re- summer of 1915, In September, 1915, More and more Shanghai tends to besult of the year before. A noteworthy America began tu buy heavily, traders come a magnet for the wealth of the feature of the re-export statiitics is the having realised that it was impossible to -NIGHT! populous provinces it serves as market,large quantity of inetals and dyes shown force prices down, and the market re-which afforded the Germans such useful

manufacturing centre. and shipping to have been purchased locally and remained steady up to the close of the port. Unfortunately, the attraction of exported to Europe at prices immensely year. the Settlenients for the respectable and profitable to the original importers. Black tea, green tea, and brick tea all well-to-do Chinees resident and trader is The total value of re-exports to Chinese show gratifying 'ncreases, in spite of the shared by less desirable classes Amed ports shows again a falling off of about serious decline in the rouble, which affect- roberies have been frequent and too diten per cent., due principally to a decreaseded to some exte & the purchasing power have gone unpunished, owing to the in

re-export of grey shirtings and shootings, of the Russian tea-agents. The export mates of the bone being too cowed to drills, jeans, T-cloths, aniline dyes, flour, of black tea capecially was nearly 40 per give the alarm till to late. A study of wheat, white sugar, and sugar candy cent more than that of the previous year. tha Municipal Police reports shows clear- The re-export of metals, cigarettes, and During 1915 about 4,000 piculs of the ly that these robbers are by-products of kerosene oil increased by 10 per cent.

egg preparation known as melange, the political plot weaving and intrigue

valued at Hk. Th. 33,000, left Shanghai of which Shanghai has for long been the

for abroad. This cargo was for the most centre, making it a haven of unrest for

part brought here from Nanking, and the swarms of malcontents, rowdies, and det

success of this enterprise will in all prob- speradoes of all shades.

ability help towards the starting of a similar venture here,

LOCATION NEAR POST OFFICE. KOWLOON.

TO-NIGHT!

THE

Presents

ECLAIR

GENIUS

EVIL

in a Parts,

An intensely interesting social Drama showing probably the most wonderful fire.

scene ever screened.

CLANCARTY

in 2 Parts.

A magnificent prodaction by The London Films, Ltd. A delightful romance in the time of William 11, and the Jacobite Rebellion, with superb acting.

PANAMA CANAL (4th series of these interesting files).

IN THE ENEMY'S LINES (A Story of the American Civil War).

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S BURGLAR (Drama).

THE BAGGAGE SMASHER (Keystone Comedy).

BLOOMER'S WEDDING (Cines Comedy),.

BAND NIGHT TO-NIGHT.

Hongkong, 12th August, 1916.

IS THIS

PRICES AS USUAL.

YOUR SMOKE?

Westminster Specials

Turkish

IT'S THE BEST.

(879

1005

CHINA MAIL S.S. CO., LTD.

FREIGHT AND PASSENGERS

S.S.

CHINA

"

WILL BAIL FROM HONGKONG FOR

SAN FRANCISCO

AND HONOLULU,

SEPT. 5-NOV. 11-JAN. 18, 1917. AN UNSURPASSED HIGH-CLASS PASSENGER SERVICE AT INTERMEDIATE BATES.

VIA SHANGHAI, NAGASAKI

II. ngkong, Yith Wav. 1818.

O. H. RITTER, Freight and Passenger Agent,

Prince's Buildings, Ice House Street.

REVENUE.

CHINESE GOODS.

The total value of Chinese goods ex+ ported abroad and coastwise amounted to Hk. Tis, 304,576,000, an increase of 30 per cent, on the returns of the preceding The total collection, Hk Tls 11,400,000, year, showing the healthy state of the Chinese export trade favoured by a low,

The total value of Chinese inperts has is the lowest since 1910, being H. Tla exchange and a continued demand for increased roughly by 40 percent. To 530,000 less than that of the previous corten products. There was a large ex- this increase the following articles have year. Whilst exports yielded a higher report of factory-made fancy native cloth, contributed beancake, over 2,000,000) venne than over, viz., Hk. Tls 2,360,000 principally to Hongkong and the Straits piculs having been imported during 1915. more than during 1913, the record year, Bettlements, amounting to 280,000 pieces, compared with only 600,000 picule of the import duties show considerably falling or nearly five times the quantity sent year before; wheat, 1,300,000 pleuls, an off. Tonaage dues love recenica, as was abroad in 1914. Cotton yarn and nan-increase of over 200 per cent; raw cot only to be expected in view of the short-keens were also exported in large quan-ton, over 100 per cent. ; and flour, 98 per age of ships all over the world. Opium tities, a gain of about 30 per cent. Ucing cent. The import of uger shows an ins duties and likin have also helped to con-registered over 1914. The local cotton provemet of about 10 per cent. on the tribute to the extent of Hk. Tls. 217,000 mills have turned out a large quantity of results of 1914 and leaf tobacco about to the serious decline in revenue,

p'eco-goods; besides large quantities con- 45 per cent." sumed locally, there were exported:

FOREIGN GOODS.

BRIPPING.

The theatre selected for the Angle French effort is more favourable than that to which Lord French was neces sarily restricted last year. It is an agricultural, not a mining, district, and there are none of those extensive villages and agglomerations such as are grouped round the mining centres further north, points of support. In Picardy, on the Somme, the ground is open and only slightly populating. The villages are mail and contain only a few hundred inhabitants in ordinary times, while there is a butter Bald of fire for our guns and more scope for employing superior forces. There is. a fair field and no favour. The country is more diversified than it is further to the north, and it may be said to be more tactically favour able for an attacking side than the count try between La Bassee and the sea. With so formidable an array in front of them between the Somme and the count, it will be very difficult for the Germans to re- move troops from any point along that front to meet the particular offensive operation,

FAR EASTERN MEN AND

THE WAR.

Mr. E. J. S. Vaughan, who resigned his position in the Kobe office of Messrs. Dodwell & Co, Ltd., in the early part of 1915 and went home to volunteer for active service, has been gazetted Captai Mr. Vaughan, on arrival in England, was given a commission in the 9th, Ba talion of the East Kent Regiment, Thie Buffs," and has been in the trenches in France since last September attached to the 13th Middlesex Regiment. He is new gazetted Captain in the 13th Middlesex.

}

SINGAPORE RUBBER SHARES.

Messrs Vernon & Smyth inform us

that they are advised by wire of the declaration of the following interim

dividends

Malaka Pinda Rubber Estates, Ltd.,

3rd interim dividend, & per cent., pay-

Malakoff Rubber Co., Ltd., dividend of 10 per cent., payable on t

September.

interim

the

The Singapore market for local Rubber shares is generally firmer, the following being the Istest quotations (Straits Currency) to hand by wire :—

Malaka Pindas, buyers 82, cellers 82.15.7 Malakoffs, buyers 84.80, sellers $5.10. Ayer Panas, buyers 29.80, sellers $10.10.

PATRIOTISM IN SCOTTISH PRISONS.

The annual report of the Prison Com missioners for Scotland [Col 8283) states

The gross value of imports for 1915 was sheetings, 607,000 pieces, as againes 512,000- The total tonnage entered and cleared Hk. Tis. 206,000,000, representing a dein 1914, and cotton flannels, value kunder all flags amounted to only crease of Hk Tis 35,000,000 on the return Tis. 78,800, as against Hk. Tis. 20,000 in 16,850,000 tons, the lowest figure recorded for 1914 and Hk. Tis, 40,000,000 less than 1914." Jeans especially were exported in for over eight years and 2,000,000 tons in 1913. Opium, piece-goods, metals--in large quantifies, viz, 41,000 pieces, in-Jess than in the previous year. In this fact tee import trade generally-shared stead of 4,200 pieces in the year before decline the British flag lost over a mil in's decline. The outlook for piece There are now in China over 1,000,000 lion tons and the German dag about the gods at the commencement of the year spindles, producing upwards of 250,000,000 same amount. On the other hand, was far from bright, the then ruling local pounds of yarn, and 4,600 looms, produc-Japanese tornage gained over 400,000 prices being lower than the rates at which ing more than 50,000,000 yards of cloth, then on the figures for 1914-and 100,000 the stocks on hand had been purchased. annually. The bulk of the cotton muna- tons on those for 1913-the-record year. A marked improvement Bet in during facture is in Shanghai and its neigh-American and Norwegian shipping de June, and, although the feeling of, uncer-bourhood. Chinese cotton is only with clined somewhat, whilst Danish and tainty produced by the monarchical to inch in staple and, used alozie, is Dutch show increases in tonnage. In thele on the 29th instant. movement and the Suetuntions of ex only suitable for spinning low counts, beginning of the year, owing to the Loth change acted as a brake on trade general-Until it can be grown of sufficiently long of tonnage caused by the war, the Lon- ly, business in all grades of picces goods, staple, for the higher counts Indian and don Conference was forced to place cer- especially grey and white shirtings, black American cotton will have to be mixed tain 'mitations upon cargo, especially cotton talians and venetians, was fairly with t. Of these, no less than 340,250 cereals, and the rates of freight to brisk throughout the latter half of the picula were imported from abroad during Europe and the United States were in- year. Almost every kind of grey and 1016. against 100,980 pieuls in 1914 and creased by 75 per cent, an account of the white piece-goods was turned out by the 113,814 picule in 1013. There was naturaerious congestion of cargo at Marseilles Japa: ese and local mills and, their prices ally a marked decline in the export of and Genoa due to labour shortage. In being much lower than similar English raw cotton, only 82,000 picul having been April the rates again rose, added to this and American manufactures, their com shipped abroad during 1916, Since 1911 rumours were abroad that the Pacific petition was keenly felt. The principal the export of this commodity has steadily Mail steamers were to be taken off the run, piece-goods showing decreases are grey declined, and this was furthermore assist thereby causing rates once more to soar shirtings and shortings, drills, T-cloths, ed by the outburst of hostilities in until they, reached a point which was printed cottons, plain and figured cotton Europe, China being able to absorb near about 100 per cent. higher than the tariff poplins, fancy woven cotons, velvets, vel-ly all she produces. During March a low in force before the war. Following on veteens, and velvet cords; where the shipments were made to Italy and Hol-the withdrawal of Ave stepiners belong that in 1015 the number of commitmenta to prison was 27,340, as compared with importations of Japanese-piece-goods, land. As regards the operations of the ing to the Pacific Mail line came the news with the exception of drapes and, crimps, Shanghai Cotton Testing House, April of landslides in the Panama Canal, which 43,535 in 1911, the proportion of com- per 1,000 of the popula show corresponding increases Japanese was the third best month since the vas slused to navigation. Towards the end mitments

are the lowest record- cans have arrived in enormous quan establishment, owing to large stocks hav- of the year a sailing vessel, the Daylight, on being 5.72, as against 9.31.

These figures

causes i since 1889. Among the tities-322,000 pieces, against 70,000 piccosing bocu purchased in that month. Gen-loaded for Now York wit the Cape, an in 1914 and 0,500 pieces in 1013. Russian erally, however, the year ending 31st event which has not occurred for many contributing to the decrease the Commis

Just when matters wero prints have not maintained their pheno- July, 1015, was a lean one. The cotton years past menal increase of 200 per cent. in 1914, crop in and around Shanghai was not rapidly approaching a orisis, the Britishioners mention the fact that many who, by reason of their inability to re- having declined as compared with last good. Late sowing incidental to reaping Government released some of the Cann

sist the desire for change of occupation,. year about 70 per cent. This, however, a fate wheat crop and, above all, a com- dinn Pacific Company's steamers, and

have in the past found themselves drift 18 mainly due to an emburgo having been paratively cool summer militated against this helped to render the situation as re- placed on the exportation of cotton goods a good harvest. The export to Europe gards freights zid the Pacific to the g out of employment into vice and idle- from Russia during 1815. Cotton veivets and Amercia in December was wil, in United States of America less precariousness, have been able to secure variety of and velveteens have decreased 80 per marked contrast to that of the same During the year coasting tonnage main-employment without intervals of destitu- cent, as a result, no doubt, of changing month in the year 1912-13. Native farmers tained a fairly high average and ended tion and so to live on bonest earnings. Fashion. Notwithstanding that Japanese will persist in sowing in May and early up with an inCATION blankets showed double, the quantity of June instead of April, thereby curtail

In October a census of the foreign pou-have been expected, considering the fact the previous year, the total importation ing the time required for the proper. of entton blankets from abroad declined maturing of the crop.lation of Shanghs was taken, and the that there is among them a larger pro- 50 per cent--this being probably account Beans and peas for abroad stow con- total found was 18,519 persons, exclusive portion than usual of persons physically ed for by the production of fairly large siderable falling off; whilst exports of of those living in the French Settlement and mentally in poor condition. Many quntities by the local mills. Twills and bran have been doubled, owing to the and outside roads under the control of have shown willingness to assist the production of articles ro limbrics ncreased, the latter by over 90 great demand occas oned by the war. Tha the French Municipal Council an i

quired by the military author for rent This is a comparatively new export of Shanghai-milled four has crease of 400 por cost, on the census cities, and in some cases they have asked

There are turn of 1893, cloth for the Shanghai market and may steadily continued to grow. come more into fashion in the future. in all 32 four mills in the Yangtze Val- Dyed figured cottons show a considerable ley, producing over 60,000 sacks of wheat decrease, owing to the shortage of dyes four daily. Two are owned by Japanese, all over the world Woollen and cotton the remainder by Chinese. The develop unions evidently reached high-water ment of the four-manufacturing industry mark in 1912, since when they have de- in Shanghai is of recent date, seven out clined steadily: Woollen imports, as was of 15 mills now under operation having only to be expected owing to the de- been established since 1911. The prin mand to supply military requirements cipal reason for this is to be found in the in Europe, have decreased by over 80 per want of sufficient capital to finance it cent. Silk and silk mixture piece gods and the fact that, the area of wheat sup- also dropped from H. Tls. 1,000,000 in ply being limited, when crops were had 1914 to Elk. Tls. 1,100,000.

the mills had to be closed. For two or

POPULATION:

ed

Prisoners, generally, it is stated, hava. behaved and worked better than could

to be permitted to work overtime and, ing a few cases of emergency, on Sundays.

BAPID PROMOTION.

FELDING SUMMER VISITORS. Representatives of the larger Bavarian towns recently met in conference at the The Petrograd Journal Official an ministry of the interior in Munich, in nounces the unusual promotion of non order to concert a general scheme for the commissioned officer of Dragoons nained feeding of summer visitors. It was Gadovski to be colonel. The Press, con agreed that this could only be successfully menting on this signal honour, suggest carried out by obtaining supplies from that Gadovski was instrumental in pres the central offices in Berlin, or from the renting danger to the lives of the Em

peror and the Empress. native countries of the foreigners.