The questions and answers in the House of Commons relative to the shipping trade of Tsingtao, indicates, in the absence of official confirmation, that during the month of March a number of Japanese vessels and one German cleared from the port with cargoes direct for Europe and America to the exclusion of British and American shipping. In 1935 and 1936 the proportion of Tsingtao shipments to Europe formerly carried in British ships was 36.62 per cent, there having been a slight diminution in the latter year. It is as well that this information should be given members of, the House of Commons, but it tells only a slight part of the general story of discrimination against British and vessels of other third party neutral Powers which has been going on at Tsingtao ever since that port was occupied by the Japanese. For a very considerable time, on the oft urged score of "military necessity," access to the various wharves was completely denied any other vessels than Japanese. That after many months was relaxed to the extent of making two wharves available, and while there is every reason to be thankful for small mercies, the concession which has been made is obviously insufficient to permit of the trade of Tsingtao being handled in the manner which the importance of the port deserves. This together with currency restrictions, and complete control by the Japanese over the export trade has resulted in a very serious reduction of the trade of the port, has driven [some of it elsewhere and has brought about &n álmost complete stagnation as harmful to the interests of the Japanese themselves as to those of other nationalities at which this discrimination is quite definitely aimed. With at times as many as ten or a dozen berths vacant, foreign neutral shipping has been limited to the use of only two berths with the result that delays are the order of the day, and the task of working cargo rendered much more difficult than would be the case if the Japanese authorities took a fairer view of their responsibilities in this matter.
At no time has there been more shipping than the wharves could handle, and, despite the fact that berths have been vacant, the occupancy of the two wharves allotted to foreign shipping has forced other vessels either to wait for a vacancy, or to discharge cargo and disembark passengers in the back bay anchorage, with all the risks attendant upon occasional bad weather and the like. This in its turn places an unconscionable burden upon the shoulders of shippers, for the difference between handling cargo in the back bay anchorage and at the wharf amounts to no less a sum than 42 cents a picul, neces-sitaring cart haulage between bay and godown of some two-and-a-half miles. Access to wharf godowns is generally refused, and much cargo has to run the risks of inclement weather, which ordinarily would have been moved from ship's side straight into the shelter of the godowns, thereby creating the risk of damage to the cargo which otherwise would have been obviated.
Thus added to absurd exchange restrictions calculated to place definite obstacles in the way of the export trade of the port, are these various trifling annoyances and inconveniences, operating against any chance of success which the exchange regulations might have ensured for the Japanese by making it virtually impossible to carry on that trade from which the Japanese might obtain some of that exchange of which they are in such obvious need. The short-sighted manner in which the Japanese officials in Tsingtao are actually thwarting themselves is one of the more incomprehensible features of a situation which needs a great deal of clarification, for it is becoming increasingly clear that not only are the Japanese actively engaged in doing what they have always said they had not the slightest intention of doing—namely discriminating against third party neutrals—but are actually damaging their own interests at the same time. It is obvious that if they resorted to the policy of placing as little difficulty in the way of trade as could be justified by the circumstances the Japanese search for exchange would be rendered all the easier, and it is demonstrable that it is not only the exchange restrictions but also the discrimination against shipping which is deprive ing them of a commodity of which they are in such patent need.
"These artificial restrictions on ti which is bursting to get into action are by which the Japanese are in fact defeating themselves. The success of their various currency schemes depends to a very great extent upon the movement of trade, and the circulation of money which would result therefrom, and in preventing these things the Japanese are in fact retarding the recovery of the areas under their control, and depriving themselves of the benefits of whatever victories they have secured up to the present. If indeed it is the desire of the Japanese to see a return of prosperity in duty to see that commerce is being acti: conducted, that money is circulating and it is paying the producer to get back to labours. If the latter sees no receiving adequate return fe is not to be expected of hi exert himself and while criminations against British and other foreign shipping may be causing them a certain amount of loss, the greater proportion is being sustained by the Japanese themselves who are thus standing in their own light. It is inconceivable that this aspect of the matter has failed to commend itself to the authorities in Tokyo, or even to the more studious circles of Japanese officialdom in the North, and it can only be believed that those responsible for this reckless policy fail to realize the harm they are doing their own interests and the reproach which can be levelled against them of seeking also to damage neutral interests. A prosperous Tsingtao, indeed a prosperous north China should be one of the chief aims of the Japanese authorities, Prosperity means money, and in the circumstances money must eventually mean exchange, not perhaps at the rate they would like but undoubtedly at a rate which would make it better than no exchange at all. Vacant wharves mean loss of revenue, another fact which appears to be overlooked, and in keeping them idle the Japanese are cutting off their own nose to spite their face. It is, perhaps, idle at this time to repeat protests which have been published time and again, but it should be emphasized that the Japanese are hurting themselves by the irrational policy they are adopting, and, while the hurt may not be completely apparent, the fact that much trade has already deserted the port should be an indication of what they might expect in the future.
Queen Mary's Birthday Queen Mary celebrates her 72nd birthday today, and all loyal Britons will join in the wish that she may be spared many years to enjoy more of them. From the latest reports it does not seem that she is likely to suffer any serious effects as the result of her recent accident, a fact which will be received with much relief by those who esteem the gracious lady who, together with her late husband rendered such enormous services to the British Empire during their long and important reign. It is as well to remember that King George V, and his consort occupied the British throne during the most dramatic period of British history. By their display of quiet courage during those tragic years they did much to maintain the moral of the British people, and to inspire them with the quiet confidence in the outcome of their struggle which was at times, especially during the darker periods, so eminently necessary. Queen Mary, following the death of her husband, did not enter into that retirement which by her labours she so richly deserved, but has continued to work in the public interest in a manner which continues to command the affection, and esteem of those who were formerly her subjects, and has carried on the'good work which she and her husband did while living in that fierce light which is shed upon the throne, Doubtless she is following the un precedent trip which is being made by her son and daughter-in-law in the western hemisphere, and, in common with the whole of the British people, wishes that it may lead to better understandings between Great Britain and the other countries they are visiting. If it does she will rest Content with the knowledge that it is largely due to the training of her illustrious son that those results will have been obtained, and it is because of the enormous services which this noble woman has rendered her country that heartfelt wishes will be expressed throughout the Empire that she may live to enjoy many happy returns of the day.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.