The foregoing figures show that the quantity imported has not been invariably increasing. In 1874 there was a decrease of 986 gallons, and in 1877 the quantity imported was 3,110 gallons less than that imported in 1876. Since 1878, however, the quantity has enormously increased, and there is no doubt but that the importation at present is but small in comparison to what may be anticipated, "provided," writes Mr. Acheson, of the Chinese customs, "that the Chinese do not take to utilizing the ample mineral oil resources of their own country." In the Kiating prefecture, province of Szechuan, there are salt and fire wells which yield an oily, petroleum-like liquid, and where speculation may possibly some day discover something like the well-known Pennsylvania treasures. When a salt well has been dug to the depth of a thousand feet, a bituminous oil is found in it that burns in water. Sometimes as many as four or five jars of a hundred pounds each are collected in a day. This oil is very fetid, but is made use of to light the sheds in which are the wells (and) caldrons of salt. The mandarins, by order of the Government, sometimes buy thousands of jars of it in order to calcine rocks under water that render the navigation perilous. When a shipwreck takes place, the people make a kind of lamp of this oil which they throw into the water near the spot; and then a diver, and oftener a thief, goes down to search for any article of value that he can carry away, the subaqueous lamp lighting him perfectly. The Chinese are very rapidly learning the superiority of petroleum over the native vegetable oils, and the high burning test now adopted renders it less liable to explosion, and thus does away with the many objections interposed by the local officials. Since Mr. Consul Smither's report on petroleum, dispatch dated January 11, 1883, no opposition has been made by the local officials to its sale or use. Some time ago a British merchant resident offered to build godowns outside the city limits especially adapted for the storage of petroleum, but he received so little encouragement from the Chinese merchants who control the petroleum trade that the matter was dropped. LEO A. BERGHOLZ, Vice-Consul. UNITED STATES CONSULATE, Chin-Kiang, January 15, 1884. PETROLEUM TRADE OF FOOCHOW. Consul Wingate to Minister Young. In response to the request for information regarding the petroleum trade at this port, contained in your dispatch of the 10th December, I have the honor to say that the action of the officials and literati prohibiting the sale and use of kerosene in Foochow, as reported in my dispatch of 15th November,* is unfortunately the most noticeable feature of the trade during the year 1883. Had it not been for this action it is probable that I should have been able to report a great increase in the consumption of the oil. As it is the importation for the year was 235,950 gallons, which is more than has been received in any previous year except 1882, when it was 280,000 gallons. The proclamations against the use of petroleum which were issued in 1882 had become a dead letter. The oil was openly burned in every locality, the shops on the main street presenting a brilliant appearance by night. The benefit and economy of the foreign oil were * Published as a supplement hereto. apparent, and its use bid fair to increase. Now, however, until within a few weeks not a single kerosene oil lamp has been seen by one passing Chinese houses; its use has been confined to private quarters where it might not be seen by the police and neighbors. The importation for the several quarters of the year show the effect of the proclamations against its use, thus: There is now a very small stock on hand, but there is said to be some importations in lots of ten cases from Hong-Kong. The price of the oil has risen more than one-fourth. Shopkeepers have continued to sell to those whom they know or to those vouched for by their neighbors. A short time ago I heard that it was openly sold at shops just over the bridge, but at much higher prices than it was secretly sold farther toward the city. Within the last few weeks its use has become more general and more open, possibly to obtain an increased light for the new year's festivities, and with the knowledge that the seals of the officials are closed up and the runners so occupied as not to interfere. The oil is certainly liked and will be used if it can be with safety from conflagration and official opposition. I have lately received from the consulate-general copies of a Chinese pamphlet upon the advantages, &c., of kerosene, which I have been asked to distribute. I purpose to do this so far as I judiciously can. In your dispatch of 19th December, No. 42, mention is made of a safe lamp that can be made at home and sold for 3 cents. Could such a lamp be shown to the officials and its safety actually demonstrated I think good might be accomplished thereby. You know the difficulty there is in bringing such matters to the attention of the officials, and the indifference and suspicions with which they look upon the representations of a consul who brings to their attention any new object or project, whether calculated to benefit morals or trade. I think but one brand of oil is used by the Chinese, and I believe it is of a recognized safe standard. Until the issue of the proclamations the trade in kerosene was almost entirely in the hands of Chinese merchants. The prohibition of its sale by Chinese has given it into the hands of a foreign house. J. C. A. WINGATE, UNITED STATES CONSULATE, Foochow, February 1, 1884. Consul. SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT ON THE PETROLEUM TRADE AT FOO CHOW. Consul Wingate to Minister Young. Referring to the correspondence which has passed between consulate and the legation relative to the use of kerosene oil and the opposition thereto in this place, I have now to make this further report. After the issuing of the former proclamations which were not rigidly enforced, except in a few localities and for a time, the use of kerosene was again generally adopted, and I looked for an increased consumption as people might learn its advantages and how to avoid accidents which might occur through ignorance and carelessness. Unfortunately during the summer and early fall there were four large fires, besides several smaller ones, the origin of which was ascribed to the use of kerosene. There is no doubt that the one which was most disastrous to life was started by a man filling a kerosene lamp while it was burning. The oil ignited; the man, alarmed, threw the lamp into the open kerosene can, and six lives were lost. Of the other three large fires, one probably originated from a kerosene lamp, and so did possibly the other two, but I was unable to get any positive evidence as to the facts. Be that as it may, these fires have so excited the literati against the oil that the officials have again issued proclamations against its use; and this time the proclamations are, I am told, to be enforced. The literati have taken hold of the matter and will prosecute any who do not conform to their wish. The officials have discontinued the use of the oil in their yamêns, which they did not do before. The shopkeepers would like to continue its use, both on account of its cheapness and its brilliancy. I do not think that anything can be done at present to stop the opposition. The many arguments which could be urged against the action of the officials would be powerless to overcome the ignorance and prejudice of the opponents of the cheap light. The fact that the people are excessively careless with their fires and joss paper, and that from these causes great conflagrations have occurred, will count for nothing-kerosene is now the sole cause of fires. A proclamation of the commissioners and taotais of the Board of Trade, and the commissioners and taotais of the Friend-in-need Bureau, dated September 6, recounts that the people have continued to buy and use kerosene in spite of the prohibition of the governor-general and the governor. It directs the subordinates to issue proclamations, and it prohibits its use as "inflammable, hard to extinguish, and gravely endangering life." A proclamation issued by the prefect on the 7th of October, states that shopkeepers will be punished for concealing kerosene on their premises after a day to be fixed. A similar proclamation was issued by the subprefect on the 16th of October, and another on the 25th, recommending the action of the literati of the Si Ma Ward. I inclose a translation of this last. J. C. A. WINGATE, UNITED STATES CONSULATE, Consul. [Inclosure.] Wangs coast defence subprefect at Nantai (Foochow suburb), for a second and special proclamation. Know ye: Kerosene leaves ruin. One was before favored with their several excellencies' instruction directing it sternly prohibited. I, the subprefect, with the prefect and magistrate, have on repeated occasions put forth prohibitions and directed the runners to pass on the mandate fixing a term (within which it is to) be put away, as is severally on record. I now find that in the Si Ma Ward the literati and people have very sternly prohibited it. Reviewing their rules I find these in reverent observance of official orders and really grasping very clearly high public spirit, and (how) to secure the locality. It is truly worthy of all praise. If the various shopmen can all follow (this example) one can ever be free from unexpected calamities. Therefore this proclamation, the which regard, ye literati and people, and know: you must examine the prohibitory rules of the Si Ma Ward and collectively disallow the buying and selling of kerosene, and mutually protect and secure each other. Thus, perhaps, the whole neighborhood will enjoy the happiness of tranquillity. Let none of you disobey. In earnest. A special proclamation appended. Rules of the Si Ma Ward's public prohibition of kerosene-one paper. Given October 25, 1883. The whole ward have collectively taken counsel together, that within the ward it be not allowed to sell kerosene. Should there again be sale of kerosene in the shops, or use of kerosene for light in the various families, once it was discovered (the ward) will certainly, in conjunction with the several gentry and elders, hand it up to the officials, requesting them to prosecute. One will by no means show favor. It were well each apprehensively observe this. Do not say these words were not in time. A prohibitory notice by the whole neighborhood of the Si Ma Ward. Proclamation by Wang, Foochow coast defense sub-prefect. Kerosene's a fierce calamity. The benefit doesn't make good the harm. General proclamation sternly prohibiting privily buying or selling it of each other. The term expired, those purposely disobeying will be taken and dealt with. One will not pardon. PETROLEUM TRADE AT FOOCHOW. Minister Young to Consul Wingate. I have the honor to acknowledge your dispatch No. 65, in reference to the action of the Chinese officials in Foochow, concerning the sale of petroleum. It is a source of deep regret to the legation that you have had so many disasters in Foochow, arising from the careless handling of the oil. The sufferers have my deepest sympathy, and I can well appreciate your difficulty in dealing with a people, whose judgment is warped by so grave a calamity. * At the same time you must preservere in your representations to the local authorities. Petroleum is not as dangerous as gunpowder for instance, and other explosive substances which enter so largely into Chinese manufactures. The people, however, have learned how to handle gunpowder with comparative immunity. In time they will learn how to handle petroleum. I count a great deal upon a policy of kind perseverence in showing to the Chinese the true value of this article, and impressing upon them the fact that their own carelessness leads to these calamities. I think also that you should make inquiry as to the grades of the oils that are imported by our merchants. You should remonstrate with them, and if necessary make an official report to this legation should the oil be at a lower test than what is sold in other eastern countries and at home, and that you should point out the evil of selling an oil that will flash under 110 or 115 degrees. In the inception of what promises to be so vast a trade our merchants should take the utmost care to begin right. Win the confidence of the people, by selling a safe oil, and not throw upon the Chinese market quantities of the low grade, highly dangerous for domestic purposes, even among those familiar with its use. Pains should be taken to impress upon the merchants also, the wisdom of securing a lamp that will burn the oil with comparative safety. I am informed on the best authority that lamps of this character can be made at home, and sold for three cents. This price is within the reach of the poorest Chinaman. Once Chinese artificers know how to manufacture these lamps and you have done much towards strengthening the trade. JOHN RUSSELL YOUNG, Minister. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Peking, December 19, 1883. PETROLEUM TRADE AT HANKOW. Consul Shepard to Minister Young. I have the honor to submit the following in response to your No. 24, of date December 10 ultimo, regarding the trade in petroleum. I do not learn of any noticeable interruption to the use of the article among the native population of my consular jurisdiction by official action during the year 1883. Indeed, the only effort of this kind within my knowledge was in connection with the political troubles in May last, which were fully communicated at that time. That disturbance gave a greater or less degree of to the people generally; and from time to time rumors of new troubles continued to arise. Some three months since such a report was very current in the capital city of Thu Chang, across the river, directly opposite Hankow, and the officials took efficient steps to prevent the possibility of trouble which they evidently feared. As a precautionary measure, and to prevent incendiary conflagration, the authorities issued prohibition of the use of kerosene by the natives in Wu Chang but allowed it to the Americans resident there when introduced at the gate, accompanied by the consul's pass. The arrangement still continues, but beyond that I know of no hostility at present in official circles to the trade, in or use of, the product anywhere in my consular dependencies. In the mean time both trade and consumption are constantly increasing. In support of this statement I subjoin the importation through the foreign customs at this port for four consecutive years, quarter by quarter: Table showing the importation of kerosene at Hankow from January 1, 1880, to December 31, 1884. |