Your search within this document for 'chefoo' resulted in 23 matching pages.
 
1

“...No. 3929 Annual Series. DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR REPORTS. CHINA. REPORT FOR THE YEAR 190(1 OX THE TRADE OF CHEFOO Edited at the Foreign Office and the Board of Thade. REFERENCE TO PREVIOUS REPORT. .Annual Series No. 372!). Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of llis Majesty, SEPTEMBER, 1007. LONDON: PRINTED FOR HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, IiY HARRISON AND SONS, ST. MARTIN'S i.ANli, PRINTERS IN ORDINARY TO HIS MAJESTY. Aiul to be pnvelmscd either directly or through any ISoolcsellcr, from W Y.MAN AND SONS, Ltd., Futteii L/inic, E.C.; and 82, Auinodon Street, Wkstjiixsthu, S.\\r.; or OLIVER AND 1JOVD, Twkeddals Court, Kniyuuitau; or J£. rONSO-NBY, 110, Oiurrox Street, Dublin. [I'd. 3727—12.] 1907. Pi ice Three Halfpence...”
2

“...CONTENTS. —♦— Page Net trade of port ..............................................................................................................................................................................................3 Tsingtau and Chefoo trade compared................................................................................................................................» Gross value of trade ........................................................................................................................................................................................" Treasure, export and import of ................................................................................................................................................6 Net value of trade................................................................................................................................................................................................® Foreign...”
3

“...Trade of Chefoo jor the Year 190G By Mr. Consul Herbebt F. Beady. The year 1906 is generally admitted to have been profitable Net trade to foreign and native merchants alike, but the net volume of trade, of ll,e por which amounted to 34,740,267 Haikuan taels (5,7l7,770Z.), cannot be considered satisfactory if compared (in currency) with that of the previous five years, when the figures stood as follows :•— Year. Ya Currency. Taels. hie. Sterling. £ Value of the Haikuan Tael. s. d. 1905 .... 39,131,384 5,886,012 3 0TV 1904 .... 34,255,175 4,906,340 2 10J 1103 .... 38,183,912 5,031,626 2 7$ 1902 .... 35,924,413 4,670,177 2 7) 1901 .... 37,660,510 5,570,617 2 lli I It is questionable, however, whether such a comparison should be made, as not only was 1905 a record year in the annals of the port, but those immediately preceding were also exceptional. The year 1905 saw the close of the war between Russia and Japan, and the heavy shipments of supplies which poured into Chefoo for transhipment...”
4

“...more of the trade that would have other- wise come to Chefoo ; and that this may continue in an increasing ratio seems only too probable. Tsingtau possesses two advantages: in the first place, an excellent harbour with wharves equipped with modem appliances for loading and discharging vessels, and in the next a railway which not only taps the producing districts on which Chefoo relies for exports, but which acts as a feeder to the large trading marts along its course. Chefoo, on the contrary, has no facilities of communication whatever with the interior, and the harbour is so exposed to the strong northerly gales which prevail cu'ing the winter that steamers are not in- frequently delayed for three and fc.ur days at a time owing to the impossibility of discharging or taking in cargo. It is computed that some fiftj^ odd days were lost in this way du"ing the past year. The distinct advantages therefore enjoyed by Tsingtau over Chefoo, combined with a larger and more active market, have told...”
5

“...chefoo. of much of the inland trade, particularly straw braid and raw silk, both yellow and white, which have almost entirely deserted Ghefoo. That a diversion of the trade would occur was obvious front the moment it was decided to build the Tsingtau-Chinan line, and therefore it has not come as a surprise to the mercantile community ; but the rapid rate at which it has taken place may well cause , . apprehension and alarm to those whose interests are bound up in the welfare of Chefoo. The only remedies that suggest themselves are the improvement of the harbour and the building of the long- talked-of railway to link up the port with Weihsien and the northern coast line. The latter scheme has everything to commend it, as the railway would penetrate the industrial districts, and might be the means of recovering some of the trade now lost; it is now again under consideration of the authorities, but the difficulty of raising the necessary funds in the province, will, it is feared, militate...”
6

“...6 CHEFOO. G-ross trade of Chefoo. Treasure, import and export of. Net trade. might have been attracted to Chefoo by a little foresight, but which has now been in all probability irretrievably lost. The gross value of the trade of Chefoo amounted in 1906 to 40,459,655 taels (6,658,9852.), as compared with 44,352,585 taels (6,671,367Z.) in 1905, showing a falling-oft in currency of 3,392,930 taels. These figures, as well as those in the other tables given, are exclusive of treasure, the import and export of which, during the year under review, were valued at 4,205,207 taels (692,108?.) and 4,009,910 taels (659,9642.) respectively. The net values are shown in the subjoined comparative summary, which gives the total foreign and native imports (less re-exports) and the total exports of produce of local origin, for a period of five years....”
7

“...8 chefoo. A detailed return giving tlie quantities and values of the principal articles of foreign import, both direct from foreign countries and via native ports for 1906, is appended (Table I), and also a comparative return for the years 1902-06 (Table II); while a further return (Table III) gives the values of all articles imported from and exported to foreign countries direct. In the latter the total under the heading " British Possessions" includes a certain amount of native produce, the quantity of which it is impossible to ascertain, emanating from Canton and other southern Chinese ports, which acquires a fictitious foreign character by reason of its passing through the colony of Hong-Kong on its way north. Japan, which includes Formosa, it will be noted, heads the list with imports aggregating 000,000/. in value; British Possessions (including Hong-Kong) come second with 421,000?.; while the United States with 131,000?., Russia {i.e., the Pacific ports) with 47,000...”
8

“...chefoo. n 28,904 cwts. in 1903. British yam figures only to the amount of 484 cwts. Altogether the imports of yarn have dropped during the last five years from 175,093 cwts. to 79,268 cwts. The market for cotton goods generally opened very badly, but improved in the autumn, owing, it is said, to the condition of affairs in Manchuria. Large stocks, however, are still held, and it will be some time before they can be worked off, so that any immediate advance in values can scarcely be looked for. The Japanese are now the only merchants who stock goods Stocking of in this district; others having long since given up the practice, merchant'°Cal as it was found they could not compete with the larger markets in Shanghai and Hong-Kong. The difference in practice is to be found in the fact that apparently no business is too small for the Japanese trader, who is always ready to break up a bale or parcel of goods to suit his customer, whereas the European merchant will decline to sell in driblets...”
9

“...understand it has so far not met with a favourable reception as a steam coal, as it is said to be lacking in heat producing qualities and to burn the boilers. Kerosene oil. The following extremely interesting notes on the kerosene oil trade have been kindly supplied to me by a correspondent who has devoted much attention to the local markets, and is well qualified to write on the subject. He says : " While the local consumption of kerosene oil at Chefoo is inconsiderable, the quantity imported annually is very great; this is due to the fact that Chefoo is an important centre of distribution, most of the oil being again shipped in junks and carried to the'out-lying ports, such as Tengchowfu and Yang Chiao Kow. Some of the oil thus transhipped is'conveyed...”
10

“...chefoo. 11 into the interior of Shantung by the Hsiao Ching Ho canal, or by means of mules. This inland trade, however, would appear to be threatened—if not doomed—in the near future owing to the compe- tition of the German port of Tsingtau, and ths facilities for conveying oil by rail thence to Chinan, from which important centre other places in the interior of the province can be conveniently reached. The business of supplying the seaboard markets with oil from Chefoo during the summer months, when small junks can ply freely, is, however, not likely to diminish, but rather to increase, as the use of kerosene is growing steadily more popular amongst the Chinese. Hitherto Chefoo has also been the centre from which the Manchurian ports, such as Newchwang, Dalny and Tatungkow have procured their stocks of oil. During the year 1906, however, large quantities of oil—American, Borneo and Sumatra—were forwarded direct to those places from Shanghai, and great efforts were made by the Japanese...”
11

“...essentially a fatalist, and will rather save a few pence by buying a lamp that may not explode, than devote the extra money to a good lamp that will not explode. The price of these cheap lamps at Chefoo ranges from 50 c. (about Is.) to 1 dol. 50 c. (3s.) for glass lamps, and 35 c. (8|d.) to 1 dol. 50 c. for tin lamps ; and, in order to compete, the British manufacturer would need to place a good reliable lamp at the same low price on the Chefoo market. Opium. The opium trade is entirely in the hands of Chinese, foreign merchants having long since ceased to take any interest in it. Oi the Indian article the import amounted to 717 cwts., which shows a slight increase of 23 cwts. on the average import during the previous five years. The Indian drug, however, has never found a large sale in Chefoo, the native grown article as well as the Manchurian variety, being generally preferred. The latter has been in considerable demand of late years, but figures are not available. No Persian opium is...”
12

“...chefoo. in bacon, hams, butter and woollens, but I think it will be a long lime before the Chinese will take to, or be able to afford, agricultural machinery or carpets. The same writer adds that he imported glacier, an imitation of stained glass, made in Belfast to the value of about 150?., and it sold well; but there is no demand for it amongst the Chinese, and all his purchasers were foreigners. My correspondent also gives expression to his views on the, Commerciiil subject of commercial travellers in China. In many specific articles, J.™.*®([lers lie says, for which there is only a limited demand, it would not pay manufacturers to send an agent to represent them in their line alone ; but if an enterprising man representing a group of manu- facturers of suitable articles were to establish a central depot for exhibiting them, advertised well by means of posters, which is now being generally done throughout the North of China, and if he sent out active agents to travel through the...”
13

“...an extent that merchants decline to undertake fresh engagements. It is with the utmost difficulty they can execute the orders sent to them by their old clients, and this is the tenor of the reply that has had to be sent to my correspondents in each case. Until Chefoo can give better transit facilities than those she now offers, and can undercut Tsingtau in the matter of freight, there is little chance of her getting back the trade she has lost, and merchants will have to fill their requirements elsewhere. To those whose interests He in that direction the following table will be of value, as showing the course the trade has taken since 1900, when Tsingtau entered the field as a rival to Chefoo :— i ! Quantity. Year. Chefoo. 1 Tsingtau. Cwts. Cwts. 1900 ...J 42,544 2,226 1901 I 39,858 4,089 1902 ....: 37,079 13,924 1903 ...! 28,382 11,868 1904 ...j 19,877 30,217 190f. ....j 12,900 49,306 1906 ....j 6,040 i 74,266...”
14

“...chefoo. 15 The year commenced with a bad market, but improved in the g^ autumn. The Japanese are showing a greater interest in raw silk than^they used to show, and it is reported that they have acquired a site in Antung for the erection of a filature : this cannot but affect Chefoo. There are three filatures with foreign machinery, and about 20 with Chinese reels, employing about 8,500 men, in operation at the port, but two of the former have had to close down owing to the short crop of cocoons and the high price demanded for them. The cocoons are chiefly imported from Manchuria via Tatungkow and Antung. Considerable purchases were made during the year for the Tsingtau filatures. The value of the silk exported amounted to over 500,0001. In pongees a very considerable business was done, and all Pongees, concerned must have found it remunerative. The demand from foreign markets has been strong, the European markets having been large buyers, while Shanghai and Hong-Kong, and also Japan...”
15

“...Jf. chefoo. Inland water navigation. General remarks. Reclamation works. Harbour improvement scheme. serious competitors to the European firms on tlie local lines, flio Japanese now virtually control the trade between Chefoo and Dalny; a British company carried on a regular service during 1906, but it proved unprofitable, and the steamer has now been withdrawn. The Japanese also have lines to Weihaiwei, Vladi- vostock, the Corean ports and Japan. Freights have been low throughout the year, and a number of vessels of the " tramp " description have been laid up by their owners in preference to running them at a loss. Inland water steamers have increased both as regards number and tonnage, but the result of the trading has been discouraging. Native junks, it is alleged, are accorded preferential treatment by the officials at the Inland Customs stations, and the effect is that foreign vessels have found it difficult, if not impossible, to secure cargo for the return journey. The allegation...”
16

“...native communities, and it is hoped that it will meet with success. It has been submitted to the authorities in Peking for consideration, and I understand that, if approved, the work will be put up to public tender. It would undoubtedly be of infinite benefit to the port, more especially if the construction of the short line of railway, already alluded to, connecting Chefoo with Weihsien, were undertaken at the same time. The number of foreign residents, including children, is returned Foreign at 1,509, of whom 612 are Japanese, 341 British and 340 American ; population, the number of firms carrying on business in Chefoo is given as 33. In conclusion, my thanks are due to those who have kindly supplied me with information on various subjects touched upon in this report. (206) B...”
17

“...18 CHUFOO. Table I.—Return of Principal Articles of Import into Chefoo during the Year 1906. Articles. Quantity. Value. Opium .... Lbs......... 78,390 £ 55,852 Cotton goods— Shirtings, grey, plain— British ............ Pieces 50,050 19,899 American .... 1 35,035 16,463 Japanese .... 270 115 Sheetings— British ............ 40,699 20,824 Indian »» 1 5,385 2,526 American............ 623,952 334,906 Shirtings, white, plain 188,330 100,491 Drills- British 1 6,918 4,108 American .... 155,231 88,654 Dutch ... 1,360 664 Jeans— British )> .... 84,942 36,744 American .... 11,097 5,664 Dutch ,, .... 3,893 1,367 T-cloths— British ............ „ 76,674 32,114 Indian ............ ,, .... 4,200 1,037 American............ ,, .... 1,485 483 Japanese .... ,, — 16,265 24,298 3,874 Lawns and muslins........ 2,609 Chintzes and furnitures „ 32,281 10,891 Cotton Italians, plain and figured 140,282 104,036 Cotton lastings ........ ,, .... 28,587 13,846 Dyed shirtings— Figured...”
18

“...chefoo. 19 Return of Principal Articles of Import into Chefoo during the Year 1906—continued. Articles. Quantity. ' Value. £ Woollens—contd. Lastings .... .... Pieces . 2,800 4,447 Long ells .... .... „ 3,185 2,699 Spanish stripes .... Yards 5,907 487 Total woollens 10,633 Metals— Iron and mild steel, new, bars .... .... .... Cwts..... 25,782 10,519 Nail rod ............ „ ........ 34,396 15,461 Wire................ „ ........ 4,787 2,814 Iron and mild steel, old .... „ ........ 194,531 48,802 Lead, in pigs and bars .... „ ........ 4,699 4,421 Quicksilver............ „ ........ 160 2,118 Steel, bamboo ........ „ ........ 13,630 8,905 Tinned plates ........ „ ........ 1,980 1,532 Total metals.... 94,572 Sundries— Bags of all kinds .... .... Pieces 621,407 9,287 Buttons, brass and fancy .... Gross........ 52,582 2,596 Dyes, aniline ........ 24,532 Flour................ Cwts......... 48,819 21,944 Glass, window ........ Boxes 6,111 3,319 Lead, white........ ... Cwts......... 3,297...”
19

“...20 chefoo. Table II.—Comparative Table of the Principal Articles of Import and Export during the Five Years 1902-06. Imports. Quantity. Description. 1902. 1903. 1904. 1905. 1906. Opium, Indian.........Cwts. ... Cotton goods — 723 650 4 SO 524 717 Shirtings, grey plain— American ...... "I British ..... }■ Pieces ... Japanese ...... J Shirtings, white plain ... „ Sheetings_ 268,224 ISO,819 f 28,530 •{ 156,884 I 7,440 124,136 9,038 49,221 8^547 38,345 54,857 709 152,726 35,035 50,050 270 188,330 American........ „ British. ...... ,, Indian ......... ,, Japanese ......... ,, Drills___ 008,076 17,309 2,710 16,162 523,917 10,884 1,380 34,564 250,970 23,291 3,370 40,908 481,939 36,398 4,370 68,773 623,952 40,099 6,388 American ... ... „ Dutch ... ... „ British ... ... ,, Indian ... ... ,, Japanese ... ... ,, 160,980 1,045 11,437 "'248 137,388 210 5.520 ' 40 9,050 58,194 304 10,100 345 18,727 213,394 1,268 3,496 180 20,383 165,231 1,360 0,918 American ... ... ,, Dutch ... ...”
20

“... Brown...... ,, 328,638 128,338 23,892 205,754 222,507 Candy ...... n 23,636 12,093 20,552 24,212 22,107 Bcflned ii 38,805 33,070 90,308 118,205 94,281 White...... ii 163,239 07,004 87,557 78,263 99,885 Bags of all kinds Pieces ... 965,557 1,043,091 272,385 •125,037 621,407 Coal— Cardiff...... ...... Japanese ......... Tons ... 4,043 46,526 j 07,302 08,386 73,335 109,281 Table III.—Showing Total Value of all Articles Imported into Cliefoo from Foreign Countries, and Exported from Chefoo to Foreign Countries, during the Year 1906. Country. Imports. Exports and Re-exports. United Kingdom............ Hong-Kong ............ Canada South Africa ............ Other British possessions £ 9,727 411,497 368 "" 20 £ 300,333 710 Total British possessions .... Germany ................ Russia (Pacific ports) France and other European countries United States and Hawaii Corea ................ Japan and Formosa Philippines................ Dutch Indies ............ Other countries...”