The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-10-12

II is not easy to overrate the importance
of the concess ions lately extori ed from the
Government OF Pekin by the vigorous ac-
ton of Mr.. WADE, the British Minister
BY the sanction of a route from Yum Nan
TO the head waters OF the Urywaddy, Brit
ish commerce will be enabled TO penetrate
part OF China hitherto inaccessible, yet
known TO he the richest and most populous
OF the whole empire. The French, more
over, within the past year have secured by
treaty with the Annamite sovereign "A sec
ond channel of maritime communication
with the same provinces, and we may there
fore account il certain that new market
embracing hundred millions of consumers
will speedily be thrown open to European
products. At present the only outlet Of
southwestern China is the Kiang
or Blue river. This great commercial
artery, which Europeans are allowed to
ascend some four hundred miles, IA far rs
the port Of hangkao, is married in its
upper course by circuitous windmgs, and
the navigation OF 1t Is slow, difficult, and
INSTRUCTED by rapids at the season of low
water. Accordingly, the ilOurishing prov
inces Of Sse-Tchouan, Kouei-Tchou, and
Yun-Nan have been practically cut on
from the rest OF the world. Indeed, the
capital Of the former is by this route
nearly two thousand miles distant from
the sea.
The vast resources OF this region, and
the relatively high grade of civilization,
were hrst made known by the recent explo-
lations Of Baron RICHTHoFFEN. Itappoars
that Sse-IchOuan covers an area equal to
that of Germany, contains thirty-nve mil
lions Of inhabitants and presents large
number Of important cities whose popull-
tion ranges from one hundred and nifty
thousand TO eight hundred thousand souls
Among its staples are honey, sugar. an cx-
celent tobacco, and white wax, the prod
net of a leaf-feeding grub, which COM
Inands from eighty to four hundred dollars
per quintal The opium is not equal in
quality 10 that of India, yet the annual
crop represents value of thirty-flve mil
lions of dollars Its, however. the marvel
lous expansion of the silk industry Tor
which Sse-Tchouan is chiefly conspicu-
Gus. All the conditions essential TO the
thriving Of the mulberry tree are here
combined and accordingly the inhabitants
of every house include the raising of CO.
coons, and the reeing. weaving, aud dying
OF silk among their regular avocatons.
The dream once cherished by Amer lean
Blk growers is literally realized IN this
province, silk being the material generally
employed for the garments of the common
people. Larg" quantities of the staple are
now exported to Thibct. Central Asia. and
even Pekn; ana RIcHTHoFrrN predicts
that when Sse-1chouan shall have been
placed IN direct relations with the mar
kets Of Europe its re- ourccs will prove
adequate TO supply the wants Of the whole
world.
An idea Of the population ana prosperity
at this province may be gained from
IlCHTHOFFEN's account Of Tching-Tou-
fou, the capital, This city, whose name Is
almost unknown to Europe. has nearly n
million of inhabitants, and is one of the
Inndsomest towns in the Celestial Empire.
behind il, on the side of Thibet. rises II
rocky wall surmounted by peaks which at
fain height OF fifteen thousand feet.
From tho base Of these mountains stretches
broad plain. the largest in Sse-Tchouan,