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AFRICA.

Egypt [2549].-Mr. Vice-Consul Alban's Report on the trade of Egypt during 1899 and the first half of 1900 shows a steady increase in the prosperity of the country. The value of the exports in 1899 was £15,734,690, and imports £11,727,845-a total trade of £27,462,533. For the first six months of 1900 the value of the imports was £9,202,951, and exports £6,235,993-a total of £15,438,944. As the total for 1899 was about £4,000,000 higher than that of the three previous years, the figures must be regarded as pointing to a highly satisfactory condition of things. Mr. Alban says:

There is no doubt whatever that Egypt has entered on an era of increasing prosperity. The condition of the native cultivator, who is the backbone of the country, has materially improved of late years.

I am informed that at the present time the native cultivators are in so good a financial position that in many cases, although the present prices are high, they are holding back their cotton crop (gathered in September) in the expectation that there will be a further rise. This is as satisfactory as it is remarkable. In the days before the occupation, when, through unequal taxation and the unfair distribution of the water supply, the humbler native cultivator was at the mercy of the usurer, his crop was usually disposed of long before it was gathered, and he was seldom able to reap the benefit of an advance in price. This symptom of the increased prosperity of the native cultivator is the more remarkable at the present moment, seeing that the Nile flood of 1899 was the lowest on record, and the consequent scarcity of water during the summer of 1900 appreciably diminished the size of the cotton crop which has just been gathered. Happily, the dams now in course of construction on the Nile will considerably

reduce the perils of a low flood, and will bring a larger area under cultivation. While the condition of the cultivator is obviously much improved, there are visible signs in the towns of growing prosperity. In Alexandria, for instance, there has been during the last three years remarkable activity in building houses of the better class, more particularly in Ramleh and other suburban districts, while at the same time rents are, if anything, rising. These and many other signs of prosperity are the result of the increase of the trade and shipping of the town, and are only very partially due to the growth of population. The only class who complain that business is unsatisfactory are cotton exporters, and it is doubtful how far their complaints are justified. It is probably true that profits are smaller, and the risks attendant upon even legitimate business are greater than was formerly the case. Not only so, but sheer gambling in cotton, both by persons in the trade and outsiders, was carried on to an unusual degree in the earlier part of 1900, especially in Cairo. There have been several failures in consequence. There has also been a tendency towards too much speculation in the shares of newly-floated companies, which rose to exaggerated prices at first, and subsequently fell considerably. One company recently floated as an industrial bank has completely collapsed, involving considerable loss to the shareholders, owing to the misconduct of its managing director, who has been convicted of fraud by his consular tribunal. But these results of over-speculation do not alter the fact that there is a considerable measure of solid prosperity in Egypt, and British manufacturers will do well to devote close attention to this growing market. The requirements of the fellaheen increase with their improved circumstances. Railway and tramway lines are being constructed or extended, important public works are in course of execution, or about to be carried out, and in time a new

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market will be gradually developed in the Soudan. It will be seen from this and previous Reports that the relative positions of the principal imports do not vary to any considerable extent, but that there has been a general increase in almost all imports. The manufactured articles in greatest demand are textiles, metal goods, and machinery; but there are many other articles in which British manufacturers might easily increase their trade. the methods to be adopted, all that has been said on this subject in previous Reports still holds good. I must, however, repeat that pushing agents (if possible, English) should be appointed, and commercial travellers, speaking at least one foreign language, should be sent to Egypt at frequent intervals to study the requirements of the market. At the present time not nearly enough English commercial travellers visit Egypt.

Somali Coast Protectorate [No. 2545]. The Report of Lieut.-Colonel Hayes Sadler, Her Majesty's Consul-General, for the year ending March 31st, 1900, shows that the total trade of the Protectorate was Rs. 1,26,73,229-an excess over the previous year of Rs.5,97,771. The total value of the trade was Rs.12,18,832.

The principal features of the year are increased import trade of Zaila, particularly in American grey shirtings and silks, the import of which latter article was stimulated by the reduction of duty in the preceding year, and the increased demand which has been shown for rice as a staple article of food. As reported last year, the great bulk of the Zaila imports go to Harrar, and it is satisfactory to note that this trade with Harrar has steadily progressed.

The decline in the exports is due to the slackness in the coffee trade, as previously remarked.

Several adverse circumstances combined to affect the trade of the Protectorate during the year under report. Disturbances which commenced in the previous year continued in the eastern part of the Protectorate, dislocating trade with the Dolbahanta and the Eastern Ogaden, and afterwards spread to the Western Ogaden. The country suffered from drought in the first part of the year, and afterwards from heavy rain, which, as already stated, caused loss of live-stock. The market was low for Zaila's principal article of export. The continuance of plague and famine in India was bad for trade generally; and the outbreak of plague in Aden towards the close of the year, and the interruption to business which followed, seriously affected the trade between that port and the coast. In spite of all these disadvantages, it is pleasant to observe that during the year under review the trade of the Protectorate

reached its highest figure, exceeding the returns of the previous year by a little over Rs.50,000, and showing an excess over the returns of 1897-98 of Rs.20,50,000.

CHINA.

Amoy [2502].-Mr. Consul Mansfield's Report on the Trade of Amoy for 1899 says:

The gross value of cargo imported and exported in foreign bottoms during the year under review was £3,719,792, as compared with £3,095,194 in 1898.

Of this, some 72 per cent. was carried in British ships, a rather smaller percentage than last year, owing to a line of subsidised Japanese steamers, which has been competing with the Douglas Steamship Company, running between Hong Kong, Swatow, Amoy, and Formosa.

The net trade of Amoy for 1899, after deducting re-exports, was £3,132,000, against £2,494,000, an increase of over £600,000. This increase is entirely accounted for in the imports.

The total tonnage clearing from the port shows an increase of 160,000 tons, divided roughly as follows:-British, 60,000 tons; German, 30,000 tons; Japanese, 64,000 tons; and American, 8,000 tons. The total British tonnage amounts to 693,747 tons, that of all other nationalities being 277,091 tons. Total number of vessels cleared, 1,007, with a tonnage of 970,838 tons, against 820 vessels, with a tonnage of 812,408 tons, for 1898.

Freights outward did not vary much, being mostly on fixed tariffs. From Newchwang, on bean-cake and pulse, the season opened with 35 c. per picul (133 lbs.), and gradually came down to 28 c. per picul in September. At the end of the year, owing to scarcity of tonnage, offers of 45 c. per picul could not get

steamers.

Emigration to the Straits Settlements continues briskly, a sure indication of the poverty of this country. In spite of the fact that no coolies were allowed to land in the Straits during the months of June, July, and August, on account of the plague, about 62,000 left this port in 1899, 56,000 in 82 British ships. As they filter back to Amoy, viâ Hong Kong, it is impossible to estimate more than approximately the numbers which return every year; but it is probably about 65 to 75 per cent. It is noticeable, however, that whereas a few years ago the emigrants were all, or nearly all, adult males, there is now a large sprinkling of women and children. In the year under review there were some 2,500 of the former, and 3,500 of the latter. This would probably indicate that a larger number of the emigrants than formerly settle down to spend their lives abroad. The passage of an emigrant from Amoy to Singapore ranges from 6 to 10 dol., including food.

The Government at Manila have not removed the prohibition against Chinese immigration. They allow, however, those who had left during the war to return, and some 4,000 sailed from Amoy during 1898. All those who have any knowledge of the subject agree that the Philippines can never be successfully developed without Chinese labour, and look on the prohibition as suicidal. No change is, however, probable until experience has taught its bitter lesson.

The net value of exports was £363,514, against £328,151 in 1898.

As has been frequently predicted in previous reports, the trade in Amoy tea has ceased to be a factor, and the tea trade carried on here is reduced to the re-export of leaf grown in Formosa. From merchants' returns, which deal with seasons, and not with an arbitrary period of time, I gather that in the season of 1899 there were offered for sale to foreign merchants in Amoy only 823 half-chests of local leaf, value about 6,000 dol. As showing how an important item of Amoy trade has disappeared in a comparatively short time, I may mention that, in the season of 1879, 146,000 half-chests of Amoy tea were exported, and in 1889, 67,000 half-chests.

After an analysis of the commodities Mr. Mansfield closes his Report with the following passages:

From the point of view of the British merchant trying to earn a living on the spot there is little to be said for Amoy. With a moribund tea trade, for the local trade is actually dead, and it seems more than probable that the Formosan tea trade to the United States will eventually pass through Japan instead of coming through this port, the exports show little signs of any development, and the province of Fohkien is agriculturally and industrially one of the poorest in the Empire. At first sight the increase in the imports seems to argue increased prosperity. All the increase, however, is in grain, flour, and kerosene, and the difference between the imports and exports has been made up, not by money earned locally, but by money earned abroad by the vast number of emigrants, and imported into or remitted to Amoy by them. The mere fact of the increasing stream of emigration shows the poverty of the land. If we except the carrying trade, which is mostly in British hands, the trade of Amoy may be said to be almost entirely in the hands of the Chinese merchant. For imports he goes to Hong Kong, where he finds a large choice of goods, and brisk competition among the vendors keeping prices low, the local British merchant is left out in the cold. The bulk of the exports is to supply the vast number of emigrants living abroad with the native goods to which they are

accustomed, and this trade naturally is in native hands. The cultivation of the poppy is rapidly filling the blank caused by the decay of the tea trade, but this is matter for regret rather than congratulation, as the effects of the too prevalent opium vice are visible in the dirty habits, poor physique, and general want of energy and initiative among the natives. It is interesting to note that one-third of the whole import trade consists of what may be called bread-stuffs, i.e., rice, wheat and flour. Indeed the proportion is actually larger, for a considerable quantity of pulse is also used as food. Practically none of these come from British colonies, and it seems strange that in good years Australasia and India should not participate in the trade.

Mineral Wealth.-With the poor soil and the consequent poverty of the inhabitants of the province of Fohkien, it is to its undoubted mineral wealth that Amoy must look for future prosperity. Coal, silver, lead, and iron are said to abound, but in the absence of good water communication, much will have to be done before these can be properly exploited. An excellent quality of clay for brick and tile-making abounds, and with modern methods this may become an important industry. The Japanese have done much in the way of exploring the minerals of the province, but the results of their explorations have not been disclosed.

Formosa Tea Trade.-As regards the Formosa tea which still goes abroad viâ Amoy, I should mention that it is passed through in bond and if cleared within twelve months of arrival pays no duty to the Chinese Government, so that in this respect it adds nothing to the revenue of the port. The policy of allowing this is an enlightened one, as it practically makes Amoy the shipping headquarters of the ocean-borne tea trade of Formosa, thus increasing the shipping revenue, and giving employment to local labour. How long this state of affairs will continue remains to be seen, as I am informed by the Amoy Chamber of Commerce that a differential tax has been imposed by the Japanese Government against the trade by this route and in favour of shipment to foreign countries viâ Japan. This very vitally affects the interests of British merchants both in Amoy and Hong Kong, and urgent appeals have been made by both the Hong Kong and Amoy Chambers of Commerce to Her Majesty's Minister in Tokio in connection with it. From what I can gather British merchants here feel very strongly that their energy and capital created the Amoy and Formosa tea trade, and any special taxation against them they naturally resent. There can be no doubt but that should the Japanese succeed in diverting the Formosa tea trade from Amoy, British shipping interests will suffer as well as local merchants.

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Japanese in Amoy.-The occupation of Formosa by the Japanese appears to have driven the natives in considerable numbers over to Amoy. Impatient as they may have been of Japanese rule in Formosa, they are not slow to avail themselves in Amoy of the advantages of Consular assistance. At least 1,000 Formosa Chinese are registered at the Japanese Consulate as Japanese subjects, and no less than eighty mercantile businesses kept by Chinese of unmixed blood are registered at the Custom-house as Japanese firms. An active propaganda is also being carried on in the interior by Japanese priests. While we require that persons of Chinese blood should show two generations of residence in a British colony to entitle them to British protection in China, the mere fact of having been resident in Formosa, and in many cases even a slighter qualification, is sufficient for a Chinese to secure Japanese protection in Amoy. To sum up the trade prospects of Amoy apart from all political considerations, hopes for the future appear to lie entirely in the improvement of communications and the opening of mines. With the increase of prosperity thus brought about, this port may eventually take its fair share of foreign imports.

Canton [2512].-Mr. Consul Scott's Report on the Trade of Canton for 1899 is confined to foreign bottoms and to Chinese steamers of foreign type, and therefore deals with but a portion of the whole commerce of Canton :

What proportion it bears to the entire trade it is impossible to say, but it is the only portion coming under the control of the Imperial Maritime Customs, and for which alone are any statistics forthcoming. This statement applies to all the treaty ports of China, but owing to the proximity of Hong Kong with greater force to Canton, that magnificent waterway, the Pearl River, forming a perfectly safe and expeditious means of transit for goods by native craft between Canton and Hong Kong, the great entrepôt for merchandise consumed and produced in Southern China.

The year 1899 has been distinguished as being that in which the trade of Canton, so far as any statistics are available, has reached its hitherto highest point in the bulk and value of both exports and imports. This is the more remarkable as statements have appeared from sources that should be responsible and well informed that the West River and Inland Water Navigation Regulations are of such a nature as to prevent the expansion of trade, while the prevalence of " 'piracy," as it is somewhat exaggeratedly called, had practically put a stop to trade altogether. No doubt these statements have been made to some

extent under the idea that exaggeration is necessary where change or reform is desired, but in this case it would seem that they have overshot their mark, so wide are the real facts from those predicated.

The gross value of the trade amounted to £8,887,841, as compared with £7,134,471 in 1898, an increase of £1,753,370. This increase is distributed over all the headings into which the trade is divided.

The import of foreign goods has increased by £368,797, and of Chinese goods imported and exported by £1,384,573. It is thus seen that the prosperity of the year was not due to a sudden spurt in the import or export of two or three commodities only, but was distributed over all branches of trade. The return of shipping appended relates only to steamers, the sailing vessels visiting Canton consisting only of a few lorchas trading between Hong Kong and Canton, and of which those carrying kerosene oil are towed for the most part by steam launches. The fluctuations in the number of steamers under various flags inwards and outwards have been normal. Those under the German flag have increased from 162 in 1898 to 210 in 1899, but in 1898 there had been a decrease from 180 in the previous year to 162. The return includes Chinese steamers, and the percentage of British steamers is 53 per cent. of the whole. To show the preponderance of British flags as compared with those of all other nonChinese flags these Chinese vessels should be eliminated. It will then appear that British steamers are 86 per cent. of all foreign vessels; in tonnage the proportions are respectively 80 and 90 per cent. The total number of steamers inwards and outwards is 6,938 of 3,696,996 tons.

The export of silk, reeled, woven, etc., amounted to £3,048,605 - almost threefourths of the whole export trade. Mr. Scott takes an optimistic view of the question of opening the Inland Waters to navigation:

In spite of many assertions to the contrary, the Inland Waters Navigation from Canton, in the only direction it seems probable it could be expected to do so, has proved a very considerable success. Mr. Mansfield last year reported that there were 93 launches registered at the end of 1898. At the present moment this number has been much more than doubled. At the end of the year under review the number amounted to 178. Some small quantity of goods is carried by these launches and in the native boats towed by them, but their real business is that of carrying passengers. The development of the passenger traffic has, I think, by no means reached its full extent. It is very profitable, and launches are being regis