The closure of Tiensengkong was considered by the Chinese authorities some time ago but was delayed after the receipt of repeated requests by Chinese merchants, Another request is understood to have been made with {the authorities by local Chinese shipping firms, but it is not hoped to bear any result.
Notice of the closure of the harbour was reported to have been received by Chinese agents at Nantung, who were informed that only passengers would be permitted to land outside the boom beginning March 13.
No fewer than five ships left here on March 12, fully loaded with cargo for the port,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.