Page:Twentieth Century Impressions of Hongkong, Shanghai, and other Treaty Ports of China.djvu/736

 was Tls. 1 1 2.864.555. as compiired with TIs. 96,565.672 for " ig05 and Tls. 68.c>54.6<>4 for 1904. In ic)07 the net foreign imports were worth Tls. 61.208.744 : '" 1<10. TU. 64422439 ; in H)05. Tls. 59.649.982 ; in 1904, Tls. 36,178.819 ; and in 1903, Tls. 37463.829. The native imports repre- sented Tls. 26,616,808 in 1906; Tls. 22,185,331 in 1905; and Tls. 36.178,019 in 1904. The export trade, not including re-e.ports, was valued at Tls. 17,253,215 in 1907. and showed a decrease of four and a half millions when compared with Tls. 21.825,308 in, when, however, an advance of seven millions was recorded on the previous year's return of Tls. 14.7.39.359. In 1904 the ex- ports represented Tls. 14,895.379, and in 1903 Tls. 11,319,289. Forty years ago the net foreign imports amounted to Tls. 13,500,000 and the exports to one and a quarter million taeis. In 1905 the trade of the port was described as beating all records " in value of trade, tonnage, and revenue." the last-named having increased by 50 per cent., but even this record was handsomely beaten in 1906. The number of foreign vessels entering the port in 1867 was only 262. In 1906 the steamships entered and cleared represented 2,391,986 tons, and the sailing vessels 19,528 tons. The customs revenue in 1867 was Tls.411.297; in 1906, Tls. 3400,000 ; and in . Tls. 3.215494-

But the modern history of Tientsin has not been so tranquil as this record of commercial development would suggest. The city has been the centrt; of much hostile feeling between the Chinese and the foreign residents. During the campaign of 1858 61 the importance of its strategic position as the key to the capital, and its suitability as a military base were fully recognised by the Allies, and it was here that Lord Elgin signed the treaty which, instead of bringing the war to a conclusion as was intended, proved unfortunately, the cause of its prolongation. It is, however, the part the city played in the Boxer riots of 1900 which brought it so prominently to the notice of the outside world. Regarded as the seat of reform and the centre of foreign influence, it incurred, in a specially marked degree, the animosity of the rebels. They entered the city at the beginning of June, and hostilities commenced with the destruction of the mission houses. All who had had dealings with Europeans were regarded as enemies to the cause, and had to flee to the Settlements to escape certain death. On the night of June 15th, the Boxers attacked the Settlements and the railway station in great force. The siege lasted for twenty-seven days, and the onslaughts of the attacking force were so fierce and determined that they were only repulsed with great difficulty. It is appalling to think what the fate of the Europeans would have been had the insurgents proved successful. The women and children sought refuge in the large cellars of Gordon Hall, but, fortunately, although a considerable number of buildings in the French Concession, and a few in the British Settlements were destroyed, no lives were lost. The successful defence was in a large measure due to the presence in the town of a Russian force of some one thousand seven hundred men, which had been prevented from following Admiral Seymour in his gallant attempt to rescue the Legations by the fact that the railway was cut. The most brilliant individual achievement, and the one which resulted in the relief of the city was that of Mr. James Watts, jun. All communications with Tientsin had been destroyed, and when ammunition was running low and the defenders were talking of surrender, he volunteered to lead a troop of Cossacks through the enemy's lines with despatches to the foreign admirals at Taku. He successfully accomplished his dangerous mission on June 19, 1900, and relief was immediately sent to the besieged. His name in connection with this act of heroism will ever be remembered gratefully in Tientsin. In recognition of his signal services the British Government, after some delay, conferred upon Mr. Watts a Companionship of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, and, in the meantime, the German Emperor signified his intention of conferring a decoration on the gallant Englishman—a spontaneous mark of appreciation, which Mr. Watts values highly. During the siege whole tracts of the city and suburbs were destroyed, and when, after encountering much strenuous opposition and loss of life, the relieving column took possession of the place it was given up to loot for one day, and then military government was established. The city continued to be occupied by the Allied Troops for two years. All the walls, forts, arsenals, and cantonments were razed to the ground by order of this provisional government, in which each Power was represented by one military oflicer, and under which the various public departments were administered, and many urban improvements were effected. The government of the city was restored to the Viceroy on August 15, 1902.

A TYPICAL WINTER SCENE AT TIENTSIN. IN MEMORIAM.