Directory_and_Chronicle_1906 — Page 1017

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

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SZEMAO

French Laos frontier 6 days and from British territory about 12 days. 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 1904 was Tls. 266,983, against Tls. 204,766 in 1903, and Tls. 183,632 in 1902. Nọ foreign traders reside at Szemao, the trade being entirely in the hands of local merchants, who have no agencies in either Tonkin or Burmah. The principal article imported is raw cotton, which comes from the British Shan States, particularly from Keng Tung and also from the Haut-Laos. 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 up. 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. On the 9th February, 1900, the British Consul, Mr. Litton accompanied by Major Kiddle, of the R.A.M.C., and Mr. Sutherland, an official of the British Shan States, visited the neighbouring market of Mêng-tung. There they were unexpectedly attacked by a number of Was, armed with guns and swords. Mr. Litton, was knocked senseless, but was eventually saved by the bravery and presence of mind of a Chinese soldier; his two companions were killed, and their heads borne in triumph to the village of a Wa chief. Reprisals followed, the escorts of the British and Chinese Commissioners acting in concert, and about 60 Wa villages were destroyed. Shortly after this the work of delimitation came to a standstill, as the Chinese were unable to accept the British conception of the proper frontier; and in April the party broke up, after having decided to refer the disputed points to Peking. The future of Szemao is dependent largely on railway construction in Burma. If ever a line is laid from Mandalay due east to Kengtung, Szemao may hope to participate in the increased trade which better means of communication is bound to bring to this inland province.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1906 — Page 1017

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