The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-12
cHINA's FOREIGN TRADE.

China's foreign trade, and especially her trade
with the United States, developed very rapidly
in 1892 as is shown by a statement Just re-
ceived by the Treasury Bureau of Statistics. The
statement in question, from the Returns OF
Trade" by the Imperial Maritime Customs Scr
vice Of China, shows especially rapid develop
ment in the section where railways have re-
Gently been opened. The following are extracts
from the report in question:
''The foreign trade Of China during the year
1899 was characterized by an astonishing develop
ment, and merchants, 10th foreign and native,
made handsome profits in almost every branch.
The political situation, although still unsettled,
gave rise to no immediate fears; exchange re-
mained remarkably steady; the rice crop was
abundant; the spring weather during the critical
period for the silkworms was unusually favor
able; and. except for recrudescence Of piracy
on the West river, there were no disturbances
to check trade The gratifying result was that
the year beat all previous records and showed
an advance without precedent. The total trade
was valued at AGO. 0533,2ss haikwan taels rhc
average value Of the Haikwan tael was Sl.l4S in
1890, SO697 in 1898, and So.T T22 in 1890, rise
of 81 ,9l6sO5 haikwan taels in 1898, and more
than double the figures for 1890.
'The internal trade of the country was also
unusually brisk, and the important changes
which will be brought about by the extension
of railways have already been proved. Newchwang
and Tietsin have promptly responded to the slim
ulus OF better means OF communication, and
the trade Of those ports has leaped forward, al
though the former suffered from a severe out
break OF the plague. II is found that immedi-
ately trains begin 20 run, districts through which
there was little traffic, such as between Paoting
and Pekin, suddenly commence to hum with life
and activity, and there springs up fourishing
trade which was formerly undreamt OF and im-
possible for want Of cheap transport The Rus
sian line has been completed far north as
Moukden, and the extraordinary richness Of Man
churia will soon become evident The Lu'lIan
railway, from Pekin to Hankow, makes steady
progress. Within six months 1t is expected that
trains will be running as far south as Chingting,
The difficulties in the southern section, where
extensive tunneling is required, mako construe-
ton slower there, but rails have been laid for
forty kilometres northwards from Iiankow, the
track is now being made as far as Sinysn-to
which place it is hoped TO run trains within two
years-and the whole line OF 1900 kilometres
is to be completed in fye years, including the
difficult engineering feat OF bridging the Yellow
river. The line between Taku, Tientsin and Pc
kin continues to advance in prosperity, and the
extension beyond Shanhaikwan towards New
chwang will shortly be connected by rail with
the capital. Difficulties regarding the question
of control are hamperng the concessonaries OF
various other lines, but it is to be hoped that
these will soon be satisfactorily arranged, as
there is no longer any doubt that the effect Of
| Cisap transport will lead to an enormous devel'
| opment of China's trade.
"The net value Of the import trade was 26i ,
| 74s 456 haikwan taels, being an advance Of 55,
| 169 l22 hakwan taels over the previous year and
| double the figures for 1890. The trade
in cotton goods, which had remained practically
| stationary for three years. made a great advance
| the value having risen from 77,6ls,S24 haikwar
to 10 I'LL a..l. a