In the same manner, the export trade from China is also affected.
The British and French are the only ocean going steamers; and the French' lines are very regular. The few conference steamers that are running are finding profitable tonnage in Malaya in rubber and tin, and India also supplies paying cargo. Considerably reduced as the export trade from Ohina is, there are not enough steamers to carry even the cargo at present bargained. It is stated that over 25,000 tons of cargo from Hankow, Tientsin and other northern ports are seeking space, which cannot be obtained at present, at any price.
America's hance.
Usually, the American lines are slack. Now that a large quantity of cargo, even that which used go to Europe, goes through America, and there is a large passenger traffic, all the steamers in this line being fully engaged. As a matter of fact, there are not enough steamers to cope with the present traffic. Further, the route vid Panama was opened during the war, and a large atnottht of cargo to New York, and even Europe, is going by that route.
The Japanese lines are all working as fully as can be expected: but their tonnage is not sufficient to meet the present demand.
I is believed that as the export cargo that is awaiting shipment will be moved as early as possible, the Conference may charter some steamers at an early date. The export trade is very slack, mainly owing to the impossibility of shipping cargo to Europe.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.