Silk filatures in Shanghai, mostly located in or near the western district which have been forced to suspend operations because of a shortage of cocoons and which recently cherished the hope of reopening for business, are disappointed to learn that the spring crop of cocoons bought from farmers in the interior of Chekiang and Kiangsu cannot be transported to Shanghi.
Japanese authorities are reported to have prohibited the transportation of the cocoons to Shanghai for unknown reasons, and Chinese merchants are negotiating for the purpose of obtaining the adequate supply of cocoons. It is stated that as a result of the improvement made in the method of raising silkworms the spring cocoon crop is said to be æ very good one.
The silk and silkworm raising business in the interior is under the complete control of the Japanese-sponsored Central China Silk Company but previous negotiations resulted in the Shanghai merchants being allowed to purchase cocoons in producing districts individually and freely. To a very large extent, however, the business is stated to be still under the company's control the Shanghai merchants being allowed to collect cocoons from farmers living on the outskirts of occupied districts.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.