HE following extracts from reports covering the last few months received from Tsingtao clearly indicate the serious and unnecessary disabilities and restrictions under which foreign t; ders have been and are attempting to carry on their lawful avocations states the "British Chamber of Commerce Journal," in its December issue.
The extracts given speak for themselves.
Comment is superfluous Every possible obstacle and/or device imaginable has been, and continues to be, employed by the Japanese authorities fo prevent Eritish and neutral shipping from securing the same amenities afforded o Japanese vessels at Tsingtao. For years past British shipping, on both coastal and ocean routes, has held a predominant position in the export and import trade of Tsingtao, and it seems obvious from the tactics employed by the Japanese authorities that their objective is to cust these very important British interests here to the benefit of them-quotation: is much lo than the open market rate, prevailing here, at Tientsin and at Shanghai.
The action of the authorities amounts to exchange control which in turn gives control of trade and commercial enterprise with consequent hindrance to free competition between Japanese and Third nationals, crimination, therefore, appears to be made against British banking and trade, which, owing to the venous restrictions imposed upon cur nationals by the Japanese, are slowly being strangled. selves.
The entrance to the Great Har-hour, where all the Wharves and Warehouses are situated, was closed by a boom on December 18 last by the Chinese authorities before the local Government evacuated. Following the entry of the Japanese on January 10 this year, measures were taken to remove the obstruc-tiens, and while all have not yet been removed, the passage in and out of the Great Hlirbour has beer possible for coastal vessels from March 1 and from June 1 for ocean going vessels regardless of their tonnage.
Notwithstanding that Japanese merchant vessels have been given full use of the Wharves, as early as only 1938, British merchant vessels from the very outset have been prevented—and this embargo is still in force at present—access fo the Great Harbour by the Japanese Naval authorities in spite of requests and individual protests against this arbitrary action on their part is still denied. Captain Ozada—then Chief of the Japanese Naval Mission—in March last stated when pressed for information as to when British vessels would be permitted Wharf facilities that British shipping interests "should have a little more patience"—much emphasis was placed on the word "little." It seemed probable that these facilities would be avail-chie in May. It is now December and no change in the situation has taken place despite frequent and repeated requests by British Shipping Companies to the Naval authorities to allow their vessels the amenities of the Great Harbour Commander Mori—temporarily in charge of the Naval Mission—stated on November 10 that their policy had not altered end he declined to state a date when British vessels would be permitted the use of the Great Hhrbour nor would he give any reasons why this discrimination was being exercised. The Japanese Army Mission have no longer any objections and the Har-hour authorities have definitely stated ihey are in a position to provide British vessels with accommodation at the Wharves, but the main obstade to opening the Wharves to British steamers is probably, the large profits being obtained by the Japanese. monopoly' Lighter und Transport Company, who maintain the sole rigl end unloading of British steamers. This matter has also been the subject of protests.
In August, 1938, the Japanese Navul Mission wished to be in possession of details of all contracts for export already concluded and exporters complied with their request. The egg industry was the only one which was able to register long dated contracts, &nd they are still permitted to.ship against those registrations, thus the value of Tsingtho export trade figures will show returns which íhe Japanese will use as lever to indicate. that British trade has not been unduly affected, but even in this connection it is re-Ported that similar restrictions and a possible monopoly will be applied to this commodity. The fact remains that with the exception of eggs not a single package is permitted to leave this port unless financed by an inoperative scheme through the Japanese banks.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.