Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-11
Immensely Stimulating Effect of the
Railways.
ACTIVITY IN REGIONS HITHERTO DEAL
Merchants in Almost Every Branch
Make Fine Profits.
AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR

ton, from the Returns of Trade by the
imperial maritime customs service of China,
shows especially rapid development in the
section where railways have recently been
opened
The following extracts from the re-
port in question:
THE foreign trade of China during the
year 1929 was characterized by an aston
ishing development, and merchants, both
foreign and native. made handsome profits
in almost every branch. The political sit
uation, although still unsettled, gave rise
to no immediate fears; exchange remained
remarkably steady; the rice crop was album
dGnt; the spring weather during The criti-
cal period for the silk worms unusually
favorable: and, except for recrudeScencr
of piracy on the West river, there We're 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, 533 2SS Haikwan taels
dhe average value of the Haikwan taei
was 81. 14S in 1880, $O.ts)1 in 1898. and $O.722
in 1880, a rise of 1,916.S05 Haikwan taels
in 1898. and more than double the figures
for 1890. The internal trade of the coun-
try was also unusually brisk. and the i'm
pOrtant changes which will be brought
about by the extension of railways have
already been proved. Newchang and Tien-
tsin have promptly responded to the stimu-
JUS Ol better means OF communication. anu
the trade of those ports has leaped for
ward, although the former suffered from
severe outbreak of the plague.
1T is found that Immediately trains be-
gin to run, districts through which there
little traffic. such as between Paoting
and Pekin. suddenly commence to hum
with life and activity. and there springs up
flourishing trade which was formerly I'M
dreamt of and impossible for want of cheap
transport.
The Russian Line.
THE Russian line has been completed as
far north Moukden, and the extraord-
nary richness of Manchuria will soon be-
come evident. The Lu-Han railway, from
Pekin to Hankow. makes steady progress.
Within six months it is expected that trains
will be running as farSsouth as Chingtng.
The difficulties in the southern section,
where extensive tunneling is required. make
construction slower there, but rails have
been laid for forty kilometers nortnward
from Hankow, the track is now being made
far Sinyan-to which place 1t Is hoped
to trains within two years-and the
whole line of ] POO kilometcrs is to be COM
pleted in five years including the difflcult
engineering feat of bridging the Yellow
river.
THE line between Taku. Tientsin and Pc
kin continues to advance in prosperity, ana
the extension beyond Shanhaikwan toward
Newchang will shortly be connected by rail
with the capital. Difficulties regarding the
question of control are hampering the CON
cessionaries of various other lines, but II IL
to be hoped that these will soon be salts
factorily arranged, as there Is no longer any
doubt that the effect of cheap transport
will lead to an enormous development OF
China's trade =
increase I'm Cotton Imports.
1.-The net value of the import trade was
2s4 74S, 456 hk. It's, being an advance OF
So 1863 100 hk. tbs. 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 7761S S24 hk. tbs. to 10:}. 465. O4S hk. tbs.
1t would be tedious to particularize all the
gains, but every article mentioned in the
table of imports. with the exception of gray
shirtings insignificant decrease, T-cloths,
English and Dutch jeans and English yarn,
was imported in quantities exceeding the
figures for 1893. AS regards the falling OH
in T-cloths II Is explained that their place
is taken by what are generally known in the
trade as ''continentals.' which are included
in our returns under the heading OF sheet
ings. English sheetings showed an advance
from 523,366 to 7tf'. 162 pieces, and the in
crease must be ascribed partly to continent
tails and partly to the higher prices which
prevailed in the United States. American
sheetngs rose again from . 4S5,391 to 800
903 pieces. Speaking generally. the year
commenced with small stocks on hand and
demand was brisk. short cotton crop
throughout the world gradually raised
prices but contracts for delivery in China
were made so far in advance that importers
were able to lay down their goods at prices
which realized handsome profits. Toward
the close of the year higher prices tended to
check business, and it is possible that i'm
porters may have to face some delay in dis
posing of the importations which arrive at
dearer rates
Advance of American Trade.
1.-The feature most worthy of note was the
continued advance of American and Japan
csc goods, the latter especially showing
very rapid development. The class of white
shirtings now imported Is greatly superior
to what came formerly. the people demand
ing better article. 1t is worth noticing. as
evidence Of prosperity. that what may be
described as cotton goods de luxe, such as
chintzes. printed twills. cambrics. &C., and
handkerchiefs. jumped from 305 314 to 67S,-
1856 dozens. Cotton flannel showed a re-
markable increase. from 1885 to 397. AGO
pieces and Japanese cotton flannel from
J6S35 to 1865 pieces. English cotton yarn
suffered a falling off. while Indian and jap
anese increased, the latter having now risen
to 179. 100 piculs. 1t is probable that the
local mills will gradually get the better Of
their foreign rivals. The yarn made from
Chinese cotton is much whittier than the In
dian yarn, and obtains better prices, which
explains why Japan imports raw cotton
from China to mix with Indian.
WoOlen goods though not showing such
a promising progress as the cotton goods,
made distinct advance, camlets hastings
long ellis and blankets all having increased.
The metal trade remains inelastic and
the the total value was slightly below that of
the previous year.
Increase 4neExports.
1.-The value Of the exports was estimated at
1876 1874 1872 hk. It's. an increase Of 36, IA, es3
hk. tbs. over the previous years total. and, as
in the case Of imports. more than double the