| 1 |
 |
“...large part of this
increase is accounted for by raw cotton. The export of native salt to
other parts of China, which practically ceased in 1910, was resumed
and also swells the total considerably. The total net trade of this
port is the largest in silver currency in its history. Expressed in
gold it was still considerably behind that of 190G in imports.
Hindrances to trade.—During the first quarter of the year
considerable derangement to trade was caused by the advent of
pneumonic plague from Manchuria. In consequence of the large
number of agricultural labourers returning to their homes in North
China at that season, the infection was carried to many parts of
Chihli and Shantung. Precautions were taken and happily the
■disease did not take firm hold of these districts. For some time,
(571) a 2...”
|
|
| 2 |
 |
“...4
TIENTSIN.
however, cargoes of skins, furs and bristles were forbidden to be
conveyed by railway from Manchuria, and trade suffered accordingly.
In the second quarter of the year the failure of the licensed salt
merchants of Tientsin, for sums amounting to over 1,000,000/.,
created another serious crisis in native financial circles already
suffering from the embarrassments of the disasters of 1908. The
series of strikes in the United Kingdom, which occurred in the latter
part of the summer, also hampered business considerably.
In the last quarter the outbreak of the revolution at Hankow
and the consequent unrest in North China added an adverse
influence to the free course of trade. The full effect of this was not
felt, however, till the first quarter of .1912, and the export trade of
the last quarter of 1911 was not much affected thereby.
Trade outlook for 1912. Imports.—The prospects for this year
are exceedingly gloomy. The effect of the revolution on the import
trade has been ...”
|
|
| 3 |
 |
“...5 TIENTSIN.
the port in spite of the disturbances, though exporters have naturally
been chary of making large forward contracts.
Bristles.—The figures are practically the same as those of 1910.
This article of trade was particularly affected by the plague in
Manchuria, which supplies a large proportion of the export. For
some time it was forbidden to bring any bristles by railway for fear
of infection, and much embarrassment of the trade was' caused.
Skin clothing and slcins.—A noticeable feature of the year's
exports was the very low price of Thibet goods and especially Thibet
lamb-skin crosses. Thibets have for many years been one of the
largest articles of export from Tientsin, but owing to an accumulation
of the stocks in the home markets, due no doubt to the fur having
gone out of fashion, Thibet goods have been a drug in the market,
and have never been lower in price than during the past year.
These remarks apply in a great measure to all skins and furs.
Kid-skin crosses show...”
|
|
| 4 |
 |
“...report of this
railway from Peking to Mukden for 1911 shows a revenue of 1,021,005/.
and the working expenses 319,474/. compared with 910,687/. and
289,515/. in 1910. The rate of working expenses to earnings was
31"3 per cent, in 1911 and 317 percent, in 1910. In 1911 the sum
of 619,992/. was paid to the Chinese Government out of the profits
compared with 339,011/. in 1910. These results have been obtained
in the face of grave difficulties. In consequence of the outbreak of
pneumonic plague in Manchuria in January, all transportation of
passengers from Mukden and other stations outside the Great Wall
was stopped for a time and subsequently resumed under quarantine
regulations. The summer floods caused much damage, and in the
closing months of the year the revolution made great demands on
the traffic facilities of the line for speedy transportation of troops
and military stores.
Kalgan to Kwei huci Ch'eng Railway.—Some progress was made
with this line, which is now open as far as Yang Koa Hsien...”
|
|
