Directory_and_Chronicle_1915 — Page 734

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

WONSAN (GENSAN OR YUENSAN)

山元 Yuen-san

This port, situated in Broughton Bay, on the north-eastern coast of Chosen, is in the southern corner of the province of South Ham-kiung, about halfway between Fusan and Vladivostock. It was opened to Japanese trade on the 1st May, 1880, and to other nations in November, 1883. It is called Gensan by the Japanese and Yuensan by the Chinese. The native town has grown considerably since the port was opened to trade, and contains now a population of fully 20,000 inhabitants. The town is built along the southern shore of the bay, and through it runs the main road which leads from Seoul to the Tumen river. Markets are held five times a month for the sale of agricultural produce and foreign imports. The Custom House is situated in the heart of the foreign settlements about a mile distant from the native town. The Japanese have a well-kept settlement containing about 150 houses, with 3,000 inhabitants. The Chinese number 120, and the European and American residents about 30. The harbour is a good one, being spacious, easy of access, well sheltered, with excellent holding ground, and convenient depth of water.

Trade is carried on by regular lines of steamers running to Japan, Shanghai, and Vladivostock. The value of the foreign trade in 1913 was 6,714,000 yen.

The exports consist chiefly of beans, cattle, dried fish, gold-dust, whale-flesh and skins. Imports consist chiefly of cotton and silk manufactured goods, cotton wadding, metals, and kerosene oil. About 40 per cent. of the imports are cotton goods. There are practically no Europeans residing in the port, the business being mainly in Japanese hands.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1915 — Page 734

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