Page:Twentieth Century Impressions of Hongkong, Shanghai, and other Treaty Ports of China.djvu/818



SINGTAU is the capital of the German Protectorate of that name. It lies at the entrance of Kiaochau Bay, which runs about twenty miles inland from a point two miles north-west of Cape Evelyn. It is an important trade outlet for the province of Shantung, and as such has come to be a formidable rival of Chefoo. The murder of two German missionaries in November, 1897, led to the occupation of Tsingtau by a German squadron, and the territory now embraced by the Protectorate was leased to the German Government for a term of ninety-nine years; while a zone of interest, extending for 50 kilometres round the district was agreed upon, within which China may not undertake anything without the consent of Germany. In September, 1898, Tsingtau was declared a free port, but by a convention, which came into force in 1906, the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs were empowered to collect duties here as at other ports, but with the stipulation that 20 per cent. of the receipts should be paid to the German Government. From 1898 to 1905 the trade of Tsingtau increased from Tls. 2,000,000 to Tls. 22,322,680. The total value of the trade for 1906 amounted to Tls. 30,572,381, an increase of 33 per cent. over that of the previous year. The year 1907 showed a considerable falling off, the net trade amounting only to Tls. 28,637,889; but in this Tsingtau only shared with other ports in a general depression. The principal item of export is straw-braid, Tsingtau having become the chief market in North China for that product. Other industries now carried on include silk-reeling, brewing, soap-making, tanning, and coal mining. Many grains, including wheat, barley, millet, and maize are grown in small quantities in the fertile alluvial plains of the Protectorate, and fruit-grafting is undertaken with great success. An extensive scheme of afforestation is in progress upon the hills.

The administration of Tsingtau consists of