The-Hong-Kong-Weekly-Press-1904-04-23 — Page 3

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April 23, 1904.]

some weeks ago that there was a good deal of unrest in North China, but the statement then excited comparatively little attention. The progress of the war absorb ed general interest, and it was not generally thought that any movement was probable at the present juncture, when it is obviously the policy of the Chinese Government to re- main quiescent and maintain as strictly as possible that neutrality which has been solemnly declared between the belligerents. But it is always the unexpected that hap- pens, and it is within the range of probabi- lity that the Boxers may imagine that the victories of the Japanese point the way to a similar success in their aims and endeav-

ours.

At any rate it would seem, according to the information telegraphed from Tient- sin by our correspondent, that the Tsai-li Society is becoming alariningly active. He states that this society is spreading in the metropolitan province as well as in Man- churia and outside the Great Wall. The

native Christians are growing alarmed at the growth of the Tsai-li, which had so much to do in spreading the Boxer pro- paganda, and their fears are no doubt suffi. ciently well founded to call for some representations by the Diplomatic Body to the Chinese Government. It is to be hoped that the foreign Ministers will not leave the matter too long, for nothing is to be gained by delay, and the movement gains strength and numbers by immunity from official interference. It would not be asking too

CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.

ment to make the railway from Mirs Bay to Waichow and from that city to Canton. This Colony would then be connected with the capital of Kwangtung by railway and could afford to regard with equanimity the dilatory proceedings of the British-Chinese Corporation. The feeling is growing this Company to commence work we may stronger daily that if we have to wait for

connection between the City of Rams and go on waiting, not only until some othet the coast is established, but, having regard to the ren arks of the Chairman at the annual meeting in London of the China Association, to a date almost as indefinite as the Greek Kalends. The matter is of far too great importance to he left to the whim, exigencies of any Company, however enter or the convenience, or the financial

prising or influential, and we consider Government should take it up in all earnest- it is so vital a question that the Colonial ness and with a fixed determination to see

it through. It is of course unfortunate

Kowloon-Canton line should have been that the concession to construct the conferred upon a Company who either fear to invest capital in the enterprise or have been disappointed in the hope of obtaining a subsidy from Government towards the admittedly heavy cost of laying the line over through the New Territory.

a portion of the distance fact ought not to be suffered to impair the But this

THE CHINA TEA-TRADE.

(Daily Press. 19ta April.)

311

past on the subject of the decline of the China tea-trade and the supplanting of the We have written at various times in the

teas which at one time ruled the market by ducts. cheaper and stronger Indian and Ceylon pro-

and watched with interest the efforts recently decline of the more delicately flavoured leaf With many others we regretted the

made to bring the Chinese article back into

favour.

the trade of China in 1903, issued by the Imperial Maritime Customs and noticed by In Mr. H. B. MORSE's report on

which are somewhat reassuring to those who us recently, there are some remarks on tea feared that the complete victory of the Southern leaf was only a matter of time. Last year,

considerable increase of all the exportable appears, tea showed the most

standing the generally inferior quality (the products of China, black and green leaf and brick alike sharing in the rise. Notwith-

higher by five to ten Taels a picul than in curse of the China tea-trade of late years and

1902; and yet shipments of black tea in- a great factor in its decline), prices ranged

creased by 9 per cent., of green by 19 per cent., and of brick by 8 per cent. Mr. MORSE points out that 126,903 piculs of the total Hongkong, for reshipment hence. But of export are statistically lost by shipment to the remaining black tea, shipments to Great

much from the Peking Government, if it prospects or check the progress of this Britain were more by nearly 32,000 piculs,

a

were requested to take steps to suppress society which has in such recent times shown itself so active for mischief, having actually involved China in hostilities with the Treaty Powers.

THE KOWLOON-CANTON

RAILWAY.

(Daily Press 20th April.) That absorbing question of the hour, the connection of Hougkong, through its hinter- land, by rail with Canton and other towns

taken without further delay to save the important Colony, and action should be situation. Sir HENRY BLAKE and Mr. JAMES SCOTT, the late Consul-General at Canton, both fully realised the importance of the question, and we believe Mr. MAY is equally earnest in endeavouring to bring the railway into the region of practical politics. The British Government has, however, as a matter of principle, laid it down that commercial enterprises such as the construction of railways in foreign states cannot be assisted by public moneys; and it has hitherto consistently refused to grant any such assistance to these under- takings. We trust, however, that in this instance an exception will be made, because of the exceptional circumstances existing.

munication the Colonial Government should be pormitted either to guarantee the dividend on this section, to give it a sub- sidy, or to undertake the construction of the line itself. It must not be forgotten, in our natural indignation at the apparent apathy of the British concessionaries, that capitalists cannot be expected to make railways out of mere patriotism; there must also be a reasonable prospect of such an undertaking proving remunerative. It is for the colonists How to speak their minds definitely on this great and burning question. The annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce is advertised to be held on the 27th instant, on which occasion the Chairman usually or less length the

and to the Continent of Europe by 3,400 piculs; shipments to the United States were

Green tea shipments to the United States less by 67,000 piculs, though the American demand was about the normal average,

destinations by smaller amounts. Deliveries increased by 17,700 piculs, and to other of black tea for consumption in Great Britain were approximately (in million lbs.) 10 in 1901, 144 in 1902, and 17 in 1902 -a very satisfactory advance. Mr. MORSI face of the high silver cost prevailing in gives as the explanation of this increase, in 1903, the reduced taxation on tea in China. The Indian export increased at the same time, he points out, by 15,000,000 lbs., but it was found impossible to reduce the cost

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of the Delta, has received a fresh impetus. The railway so far as it runs of foreign of the lowest grades below sixpence a The recent expeditions overland to Waichow | soil requires no aid from Government, but pound, while China Congous could be laid have demonstrated very plainly that there the section bringing it through British down at fourpence-halfpenny to fivepence is another way out of the New Territory territory presents such considerable engi- of Indian leaf," he remarks, "would deprive than that selected by the projectors of the

a pound. Further reduction in the cost Kowloon-Canton Railway. They all

neering obstacles as must necessarily render report that there is a route over which it would be this portion a costly work, and for the sake

'China of her temporary advantage; and possible to lay a line of railway from the of encouraging effort and securing the com-

with the tangible proof of the bene- bead of Mirs Bay to Waichow for a most

fit already derived from lowering the modest outlay. This line would pass the

export duty, it is obvious that the next town of Tamsui, through a fertile and

step to be taken is to reduce, or entirely populous district most of the way, and

"abolish, the heavy inland taxation now night, after crossing the East River, where,

imposed on the leaf before it reaches the though broad, it is very shallow, bead west-

foreign exporter; this, however, will not wards, following the banks of the waterway

be done until the Chinese Revenue can and, passing Shekloong, come to a terminus

recoup itself by the imposition of higher at Canton. This route would be practically

import duties." devoid of all engineering difficulties except the construction of a bridge across the East River at Wnichow. When we say

this we do not allow for the connecting section from Kowloon to Mirs Bay. The latter portion might be made by the Colonial Government, and need not be anything like so costly as the projected line from Tsimtsatsui to reviews at inore Shamchun. It would, we imagine, be events of the commercial year. We trust possible to take the railway by a gentle riseminence it merits, and that the Chamber, that this question will receive all the pro- to the 500-foot level and thence pierce the hills, coming out at Shatin. From thence though of a more or less cosmopolitan to Taipo there are no serious obstacles character, will speak out in no uncertain to overcome, and from Taipo to Sangcheong seems likely to pass, like the previous five terms. Time is running on, and 1904 would also prove an easy stretch. There would probably be little difficulty in secur-

years, without any decisive action being ing a concession from the Chinese Govern-

taken on this momentous subject.

But lowering the price will not alone suffice to re-establish the China tea-trade on a firm basis, and this Mr. MORSE recognises. Writing on this subject last year, we in- sisted on the advantages accruing to the Indian trade from the use of scientific methods of culture and preparation of the leaf and from the employment of extensive advertising. Now, it is improbable, Mr. by the whole-ale introduction of the methods MORSE thinks, that much good can be done

which have been so successful in India- there is such a subdivision of plantations simple hand appliances, such as that for and so short a tea-season in China-but

rolling, might well be adopted. And cer tainly the education of the grower might be assisted by the Tea Guilds. Education

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