Directory_and_Chronicle_1914 — Page 770

PINGYANG

Pingyang, the capital city of the province of the same nɩmp, about 44 miles from the port of Chinnampo, ranks as the third city of Chosen. It has been opened as a trad- ing mart, where foreigners may reside, trade, and rent land and houses, according to native rules, anywhere within the limit to be marked off for that purpose. This limit was, however, ignored, and the Government allowed the matter to slide. No Custom-house will be opened there, all goods to and from Pingvang paying duty for and from abroad at Chinuumpo. The foreigners residing at Pingyang are American, British and French missionaries, a few Chinese traders, and a growing number of Japanese. The famous city of Pingyang, with its historical battlefields, is well worth a visit, fairly good Japanese house accommodation being procurable. The city is beautifully situated in an extensive plain, on the right bank of the Ta-tong River. To the northward of Pingyang city, about 109 i distant, are situated the American and British mining concessions, where less than 20 years ago the foot of the Occidental had never been allowed to tread; the natives are now quite familiarized with western mining life as it unfolds itself before their eyes. Both mines are worked by foreigners with native help.

KUNSAN

Kunsan, one of the ports opened to foreign trade on the 1st May, 1899, is situated at the mouth of the Yong Dang River, which runs for many miles, forming the boundary line between the two provinces of Chulla-do and Chung-Chong-do, on the West Coast of Corea, and lies about halfway between Jenchuan and Mokpo. The two provinces referred to are so noted for their abundant supply of agricultural produce that they are called the magazines of the kingdom. The principal articles of export are rice, wheat, beans, different kinds of medicines, ox-hides, grasscloth, paper, bamboo articles, fans (both open and folding), screens and mats, biche de mer, dried awabi, with various kinds of fish and seaweed. Among import goods, shirtings, lawns, cotton yarn, matches, kerosene oil, etc., had already found their way to the port prior to its opening for distribution to different markets. Rice is still largely exported from Kunsan, and Japanese farmers have been attracted in considerable numbers to this neighbourhood. No Europeans reside in the port, but there is a foreign Municipal Council consisting of three members-two Japanese and one Korean-and there is a separate Municipal Council for the Japanese Settlement.

SONG CHIN

城津

This port is situated on the north-castern coast of Chosen (Corea), in the province of North Ham-kiung, about 120 miles from Wonsan. It was opened to foreign trad on the 1st May, 1899. The harbour is a bad one; indeed, it is little more than an open roadstead anchorage; from N.E. to S.E. it is quite exposed, and even with a moderate breeze from those quarters communication between ship and shore may have to be suspended. The anchorage is not spacious, though very easy of access, and vessels drawing 10 feet or so can lie within a quarter of a mile from the shore. Improved jetty accommodation has encouraged the visits of vessels to the port. Trale is carried on by small coasting steamers, principally with the port of Wonsan. The exports chiefly consist of beans, cowhides, hemp cloth and bêche de mer, whilst cotton goods, kerosene oil, ironware and matches form the principal items of imports. This port shows a tendency to benefit at the expense of Wonsan. The trade amounts to about £50,000 a year. No Europeans reside in the port.

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