SZEMAO
305
SZEMA O * Sĩ-mưu
Szemao, opened to the Tonkin frontier trade by the Gérard Convention of 1895, and to British trade by the Burmah Convention of 1896, is situated in the south western part of the Province of Yunnan in latitude 22 deg. 47 min. 29 sec. N. and longi- tude 100 deg. 46 min. E. It is a sub-prefectural walled town built on a gently rising ground overlooking a well-cultivated plain. The elevation is 4,700 feet above the sen Tevel, and the population is estimated to be about 15,000. The climate is delightful, the temperature rarely exceeding 80 degrees (Fahr.) during the summer and seldom falling below 50 degrees in the winter months. The plague, such a common visitor throughout Yunnan, is as yet unknown in Szemao. The place is distant from both Yunnan-fu (the capital of the province) and Mengtsz 18 days, and from the frontier 8 to 12 days. It was opened in the early part of 1897, and so far has not fulfilled the expectations of its potential importance as a trading centre. The value of the trade of Szemao for 1899 was Tls. 213,894 compared with Tls. 216,719 in 1898. No foreign traders reside at Szemao, the trade being entirely in the hands of local merchants, who have no agencies in either Tonkin or Burnah. The principal article imported is raw cotton, which comes from the British Shan States, particularly from Keng Tung. A telegraph line from Túng Hai, viâ Yuan Chiang and Pu Erh-fu, connects Szemao with the existing Chinese overland telegraphs, and another one from Szemao to "Moung Hou" (the first French post across the frontier) makes a junction with the Tonkin lines. A few years ago there was much talk about connecting Szemao by railway with Burmah, but as the trade will probably never be sufficient to justify such an expensive undertaking, the idea seems to have been given During the winter of 1898-99 the Burmah Yunnan frontier from Bhamo to the Kunlung Ferry, and from a point west of Meng Lem to the Mekong was properly defined. There yet remains that portion of the boundary running through the territory of the Kawas, a savage tribe of head-hunters who are likely to give some trouble to the Frontier Commission. Work was commenced during the dry winter season of 1899.
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CONSULATE-GREAT BRITAIN
Acting Consul-F. W. Carey
CONSULATE FRANCE
Vice-Consul-J. A. Launay
DIRECTORY
Chancelier-C. P. H. Feer (absent)
Médecin-Dr. L. Gaide
CUSTOMS-IMPERIAL MARITIME
Assistant-in-charge-F. W. Carey Examiner-F. Williams
Chinese Clerk-Fung Shun-san
REMINGTON TYPEWRITER, 327 Broadway, New York, U. S. A.
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