A Chinese View of the Situation: Activity Among the Old Firms Further interesting information with reference to the activity of German merchants in Shanghai is given in an article in the "Sinwanpay," According to this journal, the commercial treaty with Germany has not yet been drafted, but German merchants in Shanghai are very active and their former commercial standing is gradually being restored. Although the Allied nations have made a rule that all German exports must pay an export duty amounting to one-tenth of their value, the quantity of indigo, nails and other merchandize arriving in Shanghai is very large. Substantial quantities are arriving each week, Most of the men who were formerly managers of German export firms have returned to Shanghai, among them the managers of Siemsens and Melchers, while other wel] known companies are now represented. They are endeavouring to resume business, with the assistance of their old compradores. The Pootung wharf of Melchers & Ca, is under the control of the Ministry of Communications and is at present leased by a Japanese firm. The lease expires in August or September next and a German representative of Messrs. Melchers, accompanied by a Chinese, has' left for Peking in the hope of gecuring the lease from the Ministry of Communications, so as to be able to use the wharf for German vessels.
The Board of Directors of the Deutsche Asiatische Bank at Berlin has appointed a Chinese representative at Shanghai in connexion with the opening of a branch office, and temporary accommodation has been secured at No. 51 Kiangse Road. The former compradore of the Bank is assisting in arrangements for the resumption of business, but this cannot be done until the commercial treaty has been signed. It is learned that the Waichaipou will not sign the treaty until the question of reparations has been determined.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.