Directory_and_Chronicle_1908 — Page 851

733

SHANGHAI

there were in both Settlements a total of 7,396 foreigners; 1,436 in the English division,. 4,510 in Hongkew, 828 in Western district, outside roads and Pootung, and 622 in the French Settlement, an increase of 45 per cent. during the latter five years, against 23 per cent, during the previous five. In the next five years the foreign population. increased nearly seventy per cent. (over 80 per cent. in adults and 37 per cent. in children). A census (inclusive of the French Settlement) was taken on October 14th,. 1905, when the total number of foreigners was 12,328; of these 6,144 were male adults 3,417 female adults, and 2,767 children (1,303 niales and 1,464 females) against 3,181 males, 1,776 females, 1,817 children in 1900; 2,068 males, 1,227 females and 1,389 children. in 1895. The population in 1905 was located, in the Central district (British Settle- ment) 1,444. Northern 6,018, Eastern 1,891 (the two latter being the extended Hongkew or American Settlement), Western residential suburb 1,286, Outside Roads 505, Poo- tung and hulks 353, French Concession 662, French Outside Roads 169. The fluctua- tions in the foreign population have been very remarkable. Between 1870 and 1880- the number of adult males decreased, while in the next five years it increased by over- fifty per cent. In the nine years, 1876 to 1885, the whole foreign population more than doubled, but in the next five years it showed an increase of only 148, of whom 144 were children. The increase has been mostly in the Hongkew district where the population is now eight times what it was in 1880, while during the same period the increase in the British Settlement has been under fifty per cent. While the foreign adult males have increased only four and a quarter times since the census of 1876 the number of women has increased over ten and of children nearly seven times. A curious. fact is that of children under fifteen in the French Settlement only 26 were males. while 136 were females in 1895, 52 were males and 143 females in 1900, and 47 males and 221 females in 1995. The proportion of the different nationalities in all the Settlements in 1905 was as follows, the figures at the time of the 1900 census being given within parentheses:-British, 3,872 (2,762); Japanese, 2,230 (831) a far larger rate of increase than that of any other nationality: Portuguese, 1,382 (1,013); American 1,012 (575); German, 832 (538); French, 667 (394); Russian 414 (50); Austro-Hungarian 163 (96); Italian 162 (66); Spanish 151 (113); Danish 126 (77): Norwegian 93 (45); Swedish, 81 (64); Swiss, 92 (37); Dutch 63 (44); Belgian 63 (44); Greek 39 (12); Turkish 28 (41); other Europeans 31 (11): Indians 619 (323); Malays 194 (157); and 47 other Asiatics. The Eurasians in the Settlements numbered 353, against 582 in 1900. These figures do not include the population afloat, which at the date of the last census was 2,510, against 1,253 in 1900, 1,306 in 1895, 1,009 in 1890, and 893 in 1885. Although the Chinese have no right of residence within the Foreign Settlement, and indeed were not recognised by the original Land Regulations, some twenty thousand sought refuge within the bound- aries from the rebels in 1854, and when the city was besieged by the Taipings in 1860- there were, it is said, at least five hundred thousand natives within the Settlements. As they found some amenities from "squeezing" when under the protection of foreign- ers, and foreigners themselves being able to obtain a much higher rental for their land, and finding native house property a very profitable investment, no opposition was made to their residence. In 1870 there were in the three Settlements 75,047; in 1880, 107,812; in 1890, 168,129, in 1895, 240,995. The numbers by the last census (October, 1905) were, in the Central district 120,289; Northern district, 130,399; Eastern district, 73,609; Western district, 66,100; in Foreign hongs, houses and mills, 12,458; in villages and huts within the limits, 37,503; in shipping and boats, 12,358; a total of 452,716, as compared with 345,276 in 1900. The native population of the French Concession in 1905 was 84,792 (against 80,526 in 1900, 45,758 in 1895, and 34,722 in 1890), the boat population 4,340, and in transit 7,000. This rapid increase has occurred notwithstanding that rents have risen from thirty to sixty and in some cases even one hundred per cent., and that provisions and cost of living generally both of natives and foreigners have increased. The majority are immigrants from other provinces who followed in the wake of foreigners, attracted by the high wages paid to skilled and unskilled labour required for the many industries. The population of the native city is estimated at 183,000. This large congregation of half a million natives in the Settlements and outlying ronds, eight and two-thirds square miles, is kept in admirable order by a police force of 130- Europeans, 201 Indians, and 753 untives for the north of the Yang-king-pang, being one constable for about each five acres, and for 450 head of population. There are 5 European and 140 native police for the French Concession, or about one constable for every 446 inhabitants. As the natives have to be tried by their own authorities, and bribery and obstruction have to be contended against and there is a want of the facilities found elsewhere, the difficulties of organizing and efficiently working such a small force are considerable. In few places are life and property more secure.

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