Directory_and_Chronicle_1918 — Page 669

CHINA

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Several military colleges have recently been

it is now absorbed in the regular army. opened, including an aviation school at Nanyuan.

During 1915 the principle of conscription was approved by the Government, but the financial difficulties which are ever present in China made it impossible to carry it into effect. The system is differcut from any which obtains in other countries, each district being expected to furnish a given quota of inen. For this purpose the country has been divided into six military districts.

It is believed that the troops under arms in China number about half-a-million.

Navy

Under the old régime each Province controlled its naval contingent independently of the Central Government, but the consolidation of authority in Peking, which has resulted since the Revolution, has secured the placing of the Maritime Forces under the direct control of the Ministry of Navy. For reasons which are obvious, the extensions which were conteniplated have not been effected, but there is every reason to believe that increases in the number of the smaller craft suitable for patrolling the water- ways will be sanctioned as soon as funds permit.

The largest vessel in the Chinese Navy is the protected cruiser Hai Chi of 4,300 tons displacement and 24 knots original speed, carrying a main armament of 2 8in. guns, 10 4.7in. guns and 5 above-water torpedo-tubes. There are also three 3,000-ton cruisers -Hai Yung, Hai Chu, and Hai Chen--each of 19.5 knots speed, carrying main arma- ments of 3 6in. and 8 4.1in. guns, together with one submerged and two above-water torpedo tubes. All the above vessels were acquired during the years 1897 and 1898. There are, in addition, a number of antiquated cruisers, torpedo boats, and some modern gunboats built in Japan.

Under the programme drawn up by the Naval Commission headed by Prince Tsia. Hsun, the following cruisers were added to the fleet-the Ying Swei and the Chao Ho, both built in England, having each a displacement of about 2,600 tons and a contract speed of 20 knots. The main armaments consist of 2 6in. and 4 4in. guns. There are, in addition, a number of torpedo-boat-destroyers built in Germany, Austria. and Italy, and two light draught river gunboats built in Japan. There is no attempt at uniformity-very much the reverse.

The provision of Naval Bases is contemplated. Existing dock yards are inadequate for the requirements of the present fleet, and their plant is obsolete. The number of the personnel cannot be exactly stated.

Practical experience demonstrates that the Chinese bluejacket with training and discipline can rank with any bluejacket in the world.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

The ports open to trade are: Newchwang, Chinwantao, Tientsin, Chefoo, Woosung Shanghai, Soochow, Chinkiang, Nanking, Wuhu, Kiukiang, Hankow, Yochow, Chang- sha, Shasi, Ichang, Chungking, Hangchow, Ningpo, Wênchow, Santu, Foochow, Amoy, Swatow, Canton, Samshui, Wuchow, Kongmoon, Nanning, Kiungchow, and Pakhoi. Lungchow, Mêngtsz, Szemao and Tengyueh, on the frontiers of Tonkin and Burmah, are stations under the cognisance of the Foreign Customs. Mukden, Antung and Tatiengkow and other inland places in Manchuria have also been opened to foreign trade. By Presidential Order of January 8th, 1914, the following places were opened: Kweihuichang, Kalgan, Dolonor, Chihfeng, Taonanfu, Hulutao, and Lungkow, and in February, 1916, the Yangtsze port of Chengteh was declared open to foreign trade. The import trade, exclusive of the Colony of Hongkong, centres chiefly at Shanghai, Tientsin, Hankow and Canton, while the bulk of the exports pass through the ports of Shanghai and Canton. The annual value of the trade of Cliina coming under the supervision of the Imperial Maritime Customs was as follows:-

Net Imports from Net Exports to Foreign Countries. Foreign Countries.

Total of Foreign trade.

Net Imports of Native Goods.

1915...Hk. Tls. 454,475,719 Hk. Tls. 418,861,164 Hk. Tls. 873,336,883 Hk. Tls. 236,825,875

"

1916...

516,406,995

1916 equals at-

Ex. 1.54 Mex. $795,66,772

Ex. 3/3 18 £131,923,159

""

481,797,366

Mex. $741,967,943

£123,081,661

998,204,361

""

238,145,653

Mex. $1,5 7,234,715 Mex. $366,744,450

£255,004,820

£60,837,531

The following was the net value of commodities imported direct from and exported direct to foreign countries in 1916. These figures do not include the trade carried on

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