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| Shanghai city map (1915) |
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Shanghai, chinese quarter |
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Shanghai, the main trading centre on the Yangtze Kiang, a river valley inhabited by 200 million people and the centre of the extensive trade of this rich Province, which, on the one hand, imports large quantities of opium and manufactured English goods for consumption and, on the other hand, exports the products won from this fertile river valley, primarily tea and silk. Based on this exchange of trade, the large companies and banks had begun to set up businesses here starting in the 1850's, after forfeiture of the monopoly of the East Indian Trading Company.
German companies had also already established a firm footing here, initially smuggled in under the English flag, thanks to the liberal English trade policies at that time. Their later success was primarily due to, besides their industriousness, their Spartan way of life, which made a pleasant contrast to the system of the studiously lavish ways of the ruling English class. ...
Shanghai, laying in a swampy area, had no attractive environs, and all respects were due to the English efficiency that had created a model settlement from this location with all of the achievements of our times. A sewage system, a race track, a promenade accommodating carriages, horses and riders, numerous clubs for regattas on the river, a cricket club, a pitch for "football bowling" and every type of athletic sport. Side by side, English and German club buildings, peers with those in Europe, where theatre performances were held in rotation with concerts, in addition to well-attended balls. ...
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