Within the past few weeks a considerable demand has perienced from Hongkong not only for local but also for Indian yarns. j It has been so pronounced as to lead merchants to inquire into the cause, and it is now believed that most of these purchases have been on Szechuan account. The suggestion is that they are proceeding by way of Hongkong on account of the recent disturbances on the Yangtze.
Not only is there fighting in Szechuan itself, but during the past few weeks there have been cases of firing on British gunboats and other steamers nearer at hand. This has led to nervousness on the part of merchants, and in spite of the fact that they are talking of a resumption of trade towards the end of August. it appears that traffic by indirect routes is meantime favoured. In the circumstances purchases of local and Indian yarn now being made by Hongkong are stated to be sent on to Yunnanfu and thence to Szechuan. The journey is said to occupy a month and a half—twice that taken by the ordinary route and costing infinitely more.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.