Of the opium taxes-3,983, 182 haikwan taels ($2,764,328)—the British flag is credited with 2,454,964 haikwan taels ($1,703,745); all others (America excluded), 1,528,218 haikwan taels ($1,060,583). A few other percentages are quoted from the same source: Not a very good showing for Americans, who sold more than all Europe, and who have the second largest number of residents and third largest number of firms in China. It is these tables that do us so much injustice; were the country of origin of merchandise given, we would not have such a poor percentage. This is also the table upon which foreign powers base their claims for their large interests in China, which must be protected by spheres of influence. CHINESE TRADE WITH THE UNITED STATES. The net value of foreign imports having increased by 12, 172,289 haikwan taels over that of 1896, it is gratifying to learn that the customs reports show that the imports from the United States increased from 11,929,853 haikwan taels in 1896 to 17,163,312 haikwan taels in 1898, or a gain of 5,233,459 haikwan taels, leaving less than 7,000,000 taels of the total increase for all the rest of the world; and, as our trade is underestimated by one-third, there can be little doubt that at least 60 per cent of the increased trade of China is due to the purchases from the United States. The exports to the United States in 1897 were valued at 17,828,406 haikwan taels; in 1898, at 11,986,771 haikwan taels; a decrease, as compared with 1897, of 5,841,635 haikwan taels, while our imports increased by 5,384, 104 haikwan taels. No other country made nearly so large a decrease in its purchases from China. In a communication from the Tsungli Yamên to the British minister, in reply to his demand that the foreign customs should always be in charge of an Englishman, it is stated that the English merchants paid 80 per cent of the duties; others have stated that 65 per cent of the trade is British. I think if the returns of trade were kept as ours are, it would be seen that the British trade does not now hold such a lead; moreover, nearly one-seventh in value of the entire foreign imports is in opium, in which no American or American ship can have (by treaty) the slightest dealings. I have more than once pointed out how that treaty handicaps us; nay, has driven us out of the shipping business in China. It has done us incalculable harm and China no good. JOHN FOWLER, CHEFOO, April 22, 1899. Consul. PLUMBAGO IN JAPAN AND CHINA.* JAPAN. In reply to Department's instruction of March 15, 1899, I have to report that I am informed by a geologist in the employ of the Japanese Government that deposits of graphite exist in the following localities in Japan: Sakashita village, Yukigori, Hida Province, Gifu Ken. Kawaai village, Yukigori, Hida Province, Gifu Ken. Kasagi village, Sorakugori, Kyoto Fu. Kandama village, Toyouragori, Yamaguchi Ken. Kamikotau village, Setanaigori, Shiribeshi Province, Hokkaido. The amount produced appears to be small, and Osaka is its principal market. The productive capacity of the mines is not known. I suggest that parties interested in the matter might obtain further details of commercial value by correspondence with either the American Trading Company or the China and Japan Trading Company at Kobé. YOKOHAMA, April 16, 1899. JOHN F. GOWEY, * These reports are in answer to an instruction sent at the request of a Northern firm, to which Advance Sheets have been forwarded. CHINA. About a year ago, a Chinese brought here samples of plumbago which he said came from near Canton. He declined to give the precise location unless he was paid in advance, and could find no one to do business on those terms. Recently, a few barrels of plumbago have been brought here from some point in the Yangtze Valley. Messrs. Fearon Daniel & Co. have sent these samples to their New York house to be submitted to experts. I have given them the name of the firm desiring the information, and I have no doubt that they will send samples to that firm. There are no mines of this material being worked at present. SHANGHAI, April 28, 1899. Consul-General. PETROLEUM IN BORNEO. Boring has taken place in various places in Borneo with such brilliant results that people are beginning to think that this is one of the richest petroleum fields in the world and has a great future. In the north, in the British North Borneo Company's territory, the Bombay-Burma Trading Company has had such a good yield that it has begun to build a refinery. On the island of Labuan, the same company is engaged in boring. and has taken over the "Korszki" concession. Boring is also being successfully carried on in Brunei and Sarawak. Of the prospects in the western part of Borneo, no one seems to know much. The southern and eastern parts have excellent indications, especially Koetei, Passir, Balangan, Tandjong, and Kalu war. In Koetei, three different companies are working-the London firm of Sam Samuel & Co., the Koetei Exploration Company, and the Dordtsche Maatschappij. The firm of Sam Samuel & Co. is starting with a capital of $4,800,ooo, and can increase it at any time, as the members of the syndicate comprise prominent bankers of Holland and England. It must be remembered that the firm of Sam Samuel & Co. and the well-known Shell Line Company, with which the Moeara Enim Company recently closed a contract, are the same. (See my report on petroleum of March 9, 1899.)* *CONSULAR REPORTS NO. 226 (July, 1899), p. 406. The firm of Sam Samuel & Co. has taken direction of the enterprise. Its headquarters are at Moeara Djawa, on one of the delta branches of the Mahakam River. Only Americans and Englishmen are employed. Up to the present time, eight spouting wells have been bored. According to the latest news, the syndicate bored a fine new well last month; it took fire, but was extinguished. At Sanga-Sanga, a petroleum tank has been constructed to store the surplus oil. At Balik Papan, a refinery is being built, and the oil will be carried by pipe line from Sanga-Sanga to the harbor of Balik Papan. The deepest draft ships can enter this harbor and lie right up against the wharf. In about six months it is hoped that the construction will be finished, so that the exportation of oil can be begun. There is a narrow-gauge railroad from Moeara Djawa to SangaSanga. The syndicate also has three steam launches for use on the Mahakam River. For this railroad and the launches, the only coal that is used is from the company's territory in Borneo. In a recent interview, Sir Marcus Samuel says: The refinery we are erecting in Koetei will be the largest in the world, and we hope to have it completed within a few months. It will be capable of dealing with 3,000 tons of oil per day, which would enable the Shell Company to supply the East through their own production with oil for illuminating purposes, and I see no reason why they should not. Geographically, their position is favorable; and the refinery and wells are situated only 100 yards from the seashore, where we have 30 feet of water. The wells are close to the refinery, which is, of course, a great advantage, and thus we are able to sell very cheaply. On March 15, 1899, Sir Marcus Samuel, in a lecture before the Society of Arts, after describing the work of the Shell Company in the East, especially in Borneo, said: It was intended, when the exploration of the fields was undertaken, to explore for oil which, had it proved of a similar description to that found in Sumatra, would have been specially adapted for illuminating purposes, and I must therefore frankly state that the discovery of liquid fuel in the enormous quantities in which it has been found in these fields was the result rather of chance than of skill. The very first well bored yielded a supply of oil of a character which showed that with very little treating it was an ideal fuel. It is quite clear in countries where liquid fuel can be put down, as it can unquestionably now from Borneo to all ports east of the Suez Canal, at prices which will enable it to successfully compete with coal, its use is quite certain, and that in the immediate future. The company has undertaken the control of the vast fields of the Moeara Enim Company, who have, I believe, a property quite as rich as that being worked by the Shell Company, and that property, it is well known, was practically acquired by the Standard Oil Company; but the Dutch Government interfered, and it is now being controlled, and will be managed, by the Shell Company, to whom, I am happy to say, the Dutch Government's prejudices do not extend. The second enterprise, that of the Koetei Exploration Company, is on the island of Miang, opposite the coast of Koetei. This territory is equally rich in oil. The company's own steamer will shortly come from Singapore, with the object of maintaining a regular service between the island and Samarinda. The capital of the Koetei Exploration Company is $120,000. Near the firm of Sam Samuel & Co., which is working with so much success, a Mr. Stoop has been boring, I believe, for the last two years; but, so far, without success. In Passir, nothing is being done, although the ground gives every indication of being rich oil territory. In Balangan, the Balangan Exploration Company is searching for petroleum. The signs are excellent, but at present no well has been bored, although gas and traces of oil have appeared. Near the oil fields big coal deposits have been discovered, the extent of which will shortly be investigated. In the Tandjong district, the Martapoera Company is at work. This concern has succeeded in striking oil twice, but has not yet bored a well that spouts. These wells will have to be pumped out to determine their richness. They have, for the present, been stopped up in order to prevent loss of oil. In Labuan Mas, the firm Buijn is boring, but no spouting wells have so far been discovered. The ground shows every sign, however, of being as rich in petroleum as Koetei and Balangan. The operations I have mentioned cover a very small part of the enormous island of Borneo, and a boundless field for American capital and energy is here offered. Petroleum, coal, marble, precious metals, and diamonds have been discovered. Wood and water are plentiful, and the only real difficulties are labor and climate. The former is being solved by importing coolies from China and Java; and as for the climate, one must be as careful as possible and trust to luck. In the interior, it is said to be not so bad, and recent developments have shown that most of the tribes of this part of the country are now friendly enough. The native sultans do all they can to encourage enterprise. The Dutch Government is inclined to keep out foreigners, but indications are not lacking that it will abandon that policy. BATAVIA, April 26, 1899. SIDNEY B. EVERETT, Consul. |