Directory_and_Chronicle_1931 — Page 954

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NANKING

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British and American Consulates were opened in 1900, and since then a Japanese Consulate has also been established. A grand industrial exhibition-the first of its kind in China-was held in 1910, the principal buildings being devoted to liberal arts, foreign exhibits, agriculture, fine arts, education, Chinese exhibits from foreign countries, a model hospital and an arsenal. A second industrial exhibition was held in October, 1921, containing over 10,000 exhibits classified in 10 departments. The most remarkable exhibits were those displayed in the Agricultural and Forestry Section. It was a graphic demons- tration and at the same time an object-lesson to the Chinese visitors of the results that can be obtained when farming and afforestation are conducted on scientific lines. In another section the great variety of well-imitated foreign articles marked the growing desire of the Chinese for the development of modern industrialism in their country. The local authorities, realising the far-reaching educational value of such an institution to both producers and consumers, decided to transform it into a permanent Industrial Museum.

Nanking was the scene of much fighting in the revolutionary campaign during October and November, 1911. The whole city was occupied by the revolutionaries in the early days of December, the Tartar City was sacked and burnt, and Nanking became the seat of the Provisional Government with Dr. Sun Yat-sen as President. Here the Republican Constitution was drawn up and promulgated, and the Revolutionary leaders sought to make Nanking the capital of the Republic. In July, 1913, a military outbreak occurred which rapidly developed into an armed rebellion against the Central Government, and from the 15th August until the 1st September the city, until it capitulated to the Government troops, was under a severe bombard- ment. All of Hsia-kuan was burnt, and Nanking was looted. The city was made the seat of government by the Nationalists in 1927. The great event of 1929 was the burial of Dr. Sun Yat Sen in a magnificent mausoleum, specially constructed for the body of the great leader on a slope of the Purple Mountain.

TRADE IN 1929

Any appreciation of the trade of Nanking based on Maritime Customs statistics, says Mr. H. D. Hilliard in his report for 1929, must necessarily be incomplete, as a considerable volume of the trade is carried by the two inain railways-the Tientsin- Pukow and Shanghai-Nanking lines,-and of this trade the Customs takes no cognizance and over it exercises no control. Considering the conditions against which commerce has had to contend for long periods during the year, the results of the year's trading must be looked upon as fairly satisfactory. For the port depends largely on the vast territory bordering the Tientsin-Pukow and Lung-Hai Railways for its prosperity, and there were long spells when these railways were not available for the transportation of cargo, and, as far as the Tientsin-Pukow line is concerned, there were insufficient cars to cope with all the cargo offering. The spring crops were good, beans, peas, and wheat producing an average yield, but the cold and wet weather in April and May was responsible for an unsatisfactory crop of cocoons. Rice suffered froni drought and the depredations of locusts. Shipping shows an increase, both in the aggregate tonnage and the number of vessels entering and clearing. The Belgian and Finnish flags appear in the Customs statistics for the first time. The total value of imports from foreign countries shows a large increase. But, in considering this increase, the importation by the Government of large quantities of railway, telegraph, and telephone material should be taken into account. The construction of motor roads created a strong demand for imported motor spirit. Oregon pine, apart from normal requirements for building purposes, found a ready market owing to the heavier taxation to which native timber from up river is subjected. Chinese produce exported abroad rose in value by appro- ximately 1 million Haikwan taels. The trade is almost entirely confined to the export by the International Export Company of eggs, egg products, and frozen ducks. The operations of this company were greatly curtailed by the dislocation of railway traffic, and by the shallowness of inland waterways. A further decline is to be recorded in the local industry of the manufacture of silk piece goods. For some years past the products of Nanking have been unable to compete successfully with the superior article derived from the metal looms of Soochow and Hangchow, and it is doubtful if this industry can ever be resuscitated. The net value of the trade of the port coming under the cognisance of the Maritime Customs in 1929 was Hk. Tls. 33,824,777, as compared with Hk. Tls. 20,298,129 in 1928, Hk. Tls. 12,056,835 in 1927, Hk. Tls. 44,985,542 in 1926, Hk. Tls. 38,141,503 in 1925, and Hk. Tls. 37,003,682 in 1924.