Biological Anthropology The Natural History of Humankind 4th Edition Stanford Test Bank All Chapters
Biological Anthropology The Natural History of Humankind 4th Edition Stanford Test Bank All Chapters
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Chapter 10: Early Hominins
1. The position of the ________ on the skull can help to determine whether an animal
was a biped or quadruped.
a. lumbar vertebrae
b. brow ridge
c. foramen magnum
d. sagittal crest
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.1: Outline the anatomical changes necessary for Becoming a
Biped.
Topic: Becoming a Biped
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
2. The ________ of a quadruped are long and flat, while those of a biped are short and
flat.
a. ischium
b. ilium
c. sacrum
d. vertebrae
Correct Answer: b
Learning Objective: LO 10.1: Outline the anatomical changes necessary for Becoming a
Biped.
Topic: Becoming a Biped
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
271
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3. The main propulsive force of a biped’s foot comes from the ________.
a. heel
b. arch
c. ankle
d. big toe
Correct Answer: d
Learning Objective: LO 10.1: Outline the anatomical changes necessary for Becoming a
Biped.
Topic: Becoming a Biped
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
4. Modern human arms are ________ than the arms of early hominins.
a. more robust
b. less robust
c. longer
d. more flexible
Correct Answer: b
Learning Objective: LO 10.1: Outline the anatomical changes necessary for Becoming a
Biped.
Topic: Becoming a Biped
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
a. U-shaped; parabolic
b. larger; smaller
c. prognathic; parabolic
d. parabolic; U-shaped
Correct Answer: d
Learning Objective: LO 10.2: Answer the question Will You Know a Hominin When You
See One? by being able to describe the anatomical features that define the hominins.
Topic: Will You Know a Hominin When You See One?
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
272
Copyright © 2017, 2013, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
6. In hominins, the anterior teeth are __________ compared to those of apes.
a. smaller
b. sharper
c. larger
d. similar
Correct Answer: a
Learning Objective: LO 10.2: Answer the question Will You Know a Hominin When You
See One? by being able to describe the anatomical features that define the hominins.
Topic: Will You Know a Hominin When You See One?
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.2: Answer the question Will You Know a Hominin When You
See One? by being able to describe the anatomical features that define the hominins.
Topic: Will You Know a Hominin When You See One?
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
8. The __________ is a space in the tooth row that allows the canine of the lower jaw to
slide past the third premolar in apes and early hominins.
a. maxilla
b. mandible
c. diastema
d. double cusp
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.2: Answer the question Will You Know a Hominin When You
See One? by being able to describe the anatomical features that define the hominins.
Topic: Will You Know a Hominin When You See One?
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
273
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9. Australopithecines show __________.
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.2: Answer the question Will You Know a Hominin When You
See One? by being able to describe the anatomical features that define the hominins.
Topic: Will You Know a Hominin When You See One?
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
10. __________ is a tooth array in which different teeth have different forms and
functions.
a. Homodont
b. Multidental
c. Parabolic dentition
d. Heterodont
Correct Answer: d
Learning Objective: LO 10.2: Answer the question Will You Know a Hominin When You
See One? by being able to describe the anatomical features that define the hominins.
Topic: Will You Know a Hominin When You See One?
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Correct Answer: a
Learning Objective: LO 10.2: Answer the question Will You Know a Hominin When You
See One? by being able to describe the anatomical features that define the hominins.
Topic: Will You Know a Hominin When You See One?
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
274
Copyright © 2017, 2013, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
12. The reduction or loss of cranial crests in hominin species represents __________.
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.2: Answer the question Will You Know a Hominin When You
See One? by being able to describe the anatomical features that define the hominins.
Topic: Will You Know a Hominin When You See One?
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
13. Why has the Great Rift Valley of Africa been so important to paleoanthropologists?
Correct Answer: b
Learning Objective: LO 10.3: Discuss the anatomical characteristics of Ardipithecus and
the First Hominins and the selective pressures that might have favored the origin of
bipedalism.
Topic: Ardipithecus and the First Hominins
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.2: Answer the question Will You Know a Hominin When You
See One? by being able to describe the anatomical features that define the hominins.
Topic: Will You Know a Hominin When You See One?
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
275
Copyright © 2017, 2013, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
15. Molecular evidence suggests that the first signs of hominization should appear
__________.
Correct Answer: a
Learning Objective: LO 10.3: Discuss the anatomical characteristics of Ardipithecus and
the First Hominins and the selective pressures that might have favored the origin of
bipedalism.
Topic: Ardipithecus and the First Hominins
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
16. Why has it been difficult for paleoanthropologists to identify the “earliest” hominin
species?
a. The fossil record for hominins between 10 and 6 million years ago has too many
specimens to classify.
b. No hominin finds date from 7 to 4.4 million years ago.
c. Hominin fossils from the late Miocene are very fragmentary and show only slight
differences from apes.
d. There are no possible candidates still under analysis.
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.3: Discuss the anatomical characteristics of Ardipithecus and
the First Hominins and the selective pressures that might have favored the origin of
bipedalism.
Topic: Ardipithecus and the First Hominins
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
276
Copyright © 2017, 2013, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
17. The Toumai fossil, or Sahelanthropus tchadensis, is unique because __________.
Correct Answer: b
Learning Objective: LO 10.3: Discuss the anatomical characteristics of Ardipithecus and
the First Hominins and the selective pressures that might have favored the origin of
bipedalism.
Topic: Ardipithecus and the First Hominins
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Correct Answer: d
Learning Objective: LO 10.3: Discuss the anatomical characteristics of Ardipithecus and
the First Hominins and the selective pressures that might have favored the origin of
bipedalism.
Topic: Ardipithecus and the First Hominins
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
277
Copyright © 2017, 2013, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
19. Martin Pickford and Brigitte Senut have claimed Orrorin tugenensis to be a biped
based on __________.
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.3: Discuss the anatomical characteristics of Ardipithecus and
the First Hominins and the selective pressures that might have favored the origin of
bipedalism.
Topic: Ardipithecus and the First Hominins
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
20. Ardipithecus ramidus and Ardipithecus kadabba have defied expectations about early
hominins because __________.
Correct Answer: a
Learning Objective: LO 10.3: Discuss the anatomical characteristics of Ardipithecus and
the First Hominins and the selective pressures that might have favored the origin of
bipedalism.
Topic: Ardipithecus and the First Hominins
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
278
Copyright © 2017, 2013, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
21. At present, the most likely candidate for the stem hominin is __________.
a. Australopithecus anamensis
b. Orrorin tugenensis
c. Ardipithecus ramidus
d. Sahelanthropus tchadensis
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.3: Discuss the anatomical characteristics of Ardipithecus and
the First Hominins and the selective pressures that might have favored the origin of
bipedalism.
Topic: Ardipithecus and the First Hominins
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.3: Discuss the anatomical characteristics of Ardipithecus and
the First Hominins and the selective pressures that might have favored the origin of
bipedalism.
Topic: Ardipithecus and the First Hominins
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
a. Australopithecus afarensis
b. Ardipithecus ramidus
c. Australopithecus robustus
d. Australopithecus anamensis
Correct Answer: d
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
279
Copyright © 2017, 2013, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
24. Australopithecus anamensis is more ape-like than other australopithecines because of
its __________.
a. smaller size
b. longer arms and numerous adaptations for brachiation
c. ape-like dentition
d. transitional bipedal adaptations
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
25. Lucy was discovered by Donald Johanson at Hadar, in the Awash Valley of
__________ in 1974. Lucy’s species lived from around __________.
Correct Answer: d
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
280
Copyright © 2017, 2013, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
27. The _________ is a bony crest running lengthwise down the center of the cranium on
the parietal bones for the attachment of the temporalis muscles.
Correct Answer: d
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
28. With respect to cranial capacity and dentition, Australopithecus afarensis may be
considered __________.
Correct Answer: b
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Correct Answer: a
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
281
Copyright © 2017, 2013, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
30. The footprints at Laetoli were made by __________.
a. Australopithecus africanus
b. Australopithecus afarensis
c. Australopithecus robustus
d. Australopithecus boisei
Correct Answer: b
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
31. Although accomplished as a biped, certain features such as curved phalanges in the
toes and fingers suggest that Australopithecus afarensis __________.
Correct Answer: a
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
282
Copyright © 2017, 2013, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
33. Australopithecus afarensis shows ___________ sexual dimorphism.
a. little
b. no
c. extreme
d. average
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
34. __________ of A. afarensis specimens have been found since the discovery of Lucy.
a. Dozens
b. Hundreds
c. Thousands
d. Millions
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
35. The Kenyanthropus platyops find at Lake Turkana, Kenya, although still debated,
could mean that __________.
Correct Answer: a
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
283
Copyright © 2017, 2013, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
36. The oldest known __________ come from Bouri and Gona, Ethiopia and date to
approximately __________.
Correct Answer: b
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
37. Which of the following hominins is associated with the earliest stone tools based on
stratigraphic association?
a. Australopithecus garhi
b. Kenyanthropus platyops
c. Australopithecus afarensis
d. Australopithecus africanus
Correct Answer: a
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
a. Slag
b. Granite
c. Breccia
d. Basalt
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
284
Copyright © 2017, 2013, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
39. How did paleoanthropologists initially receive Dart’s findings on the Taung Child?
Correct Answer: d
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
40. Why are most hominin fossil finds in southern Africa from caves?
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
41. In eastern Africa, fossil finds are often dated using __________ dating techniques,
while in southern Africa, fossils are usually dated using __________ dating techniques.
a. absolute; relative
b. relative; absolute
c. radiocarbon; type-analysis
d. seriation; absolute
Correct Answer: a
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
285
Copyright © 2017, 2013, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
42. Australopithecus africanus has been found throughout __________.
a. central Africa
b. southern Africa
c. eastern Africa
d. western Africa
Correct Answer: b
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
43. In an article in the science journal, Nature, Dart argued that the Taung Child was a
hominin based on __________.
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
44. With a date of 3.67 million years old, the fossil known as __________ would be older
than __________.
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
286
Copyright © 2017, 2013, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
45. Australopithecus africanus is considered to be more derived than Australopithecus
afarensis because __________.
Correct Answer: d
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
46. The other animals at Australopithecus africanus sites suggest that these hominins
were living in __________.
a. water
b. open plains
c. mountainous terrain
d. open woodlands
Correct Answer: d
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
47. The unique anatomical features of robust australopithecines suggest they were
__________.
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
287
Copyright © 2017, 2013, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
48. In order to accommodate massive jaw muscles, robust australopithecines have flared
__________.
a. sagittal crests
b. mandibles
c. brow ridges
d. zygomatic arches
Correct Answer: d
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
49. The robust australopithecines are today sometimes referred to by the genus name
__________.
a. Paranthropus
b. Kenyanthropus
c. Zinjanthropus
d. Orrorin
Correct Answer: a
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
50. Australopithecus sediba has some cranial and pelvic features similar to which
species?
a, Australopithecus aethiopicus
b. Australopithecus boisei
c. Homo erectus
d. Homo sapiens
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
288
Copyright © 2017, 2013, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
51. __________ is the most primitive of the robust australopithecines and possibly the
root ancestor.
a. Australopithecus robustus
b. Australopithecus aethiopicus
c. Australopithecus boisei
d. Australopithecus garhi
Correct Answer: b
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
53. The wear patterns on animal bones associated with Australopithecus robustus suggest
they were used __________.
Correct Answer: b
Learning Objective: LO 10.4: Detail the various species of the genus Australopithecus
and Kin, including their anatomical characteristics, temporal and geographic range.
Topic: Australopithecus and Kin
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
289
Copyright © 2017, 2013, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
54. Australopithecine species that shared the same environments at the same time show
__________.
Correct Answer: c
Learning Objective: LO 10.5: Show your understanding of the implications of the
Australopithecine radiation by discussing the evolutionary relationships among the
species in the genus Australopithecus and begin to explain their evolutionary radiation in
Africa.
Topic: Implications of the Australopithecine Radiation
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
55. Which species were contemporaries on the African continent 2.5 million years ago?
Correct Answer: d
Learning Objective: LO 10.5: Show your understanding of the implications of the
Australopithecine radiation by discussing the evolutionary relationships among the
species in the genus Australopithecus and begin to explain their evolutionary radiation in
Africa.
Topic: Implications of the Australopithecine Radiation
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
290
Copyright © 2017, 2013, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
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country and its language. The manufacturer or the merchant must
take the pains to accommodate a direct import trade to the
exigencies of the local market. As an example, smaller bales and
shorter lengths are requisite in the piece goods. The establishment
of sample warehouses at the treaty ports, and in the more important
trade-centres of the interior, where bales of shirting, cotton and
woollen goods, cases of farming implements, &c., could be opened
and sold for cash, would appeal to the natives. This departure would
avoid the increase in the prime cost of the articles necessitated by
the existing system of transhipment. At present, goods come from
Shanghai to Chi-fu and thence to Chemulpo. They pass then from
the importer to the Chinese merchants, and from them to the Korean
wholesale buyers; these resell them in greatly diminished quantities
to the pedlars and agents, who retail the goods. It would also be
advisable to create consular agencies in Fusan and Won-san.
Official representation at present is confined to an underpaid and
understaffed Legation in Seoul, and a vice-consulate in Chemulpo.
Additional employés should be interchangeable, undertaking either
the vice-consular duties of the ports or the secretarial services of the
Legation.
The bulk of the imports and exports, which pass through the
Customs, comes from China and Japan. The means of transport are
controlled by Japanese; the export trade of the country is entirely in
their hands. This fact alone should appeal to British shipping
interests and to ship-owners. Unfortunately, many years of prosperity
have brought about great changes in the spirit of our nation, and we
no longer show the enterprise and initiative which formerly
distinguished us. This depreciation in the forces of the nation has
promoted a corresponding depression in our trade. We are no longer
the pioneers of commerce; nor have we the capacity and courage of
our forefathers who fostered those interests of which we are now so
neglectful in every quarter of the globe. At the dawn of the twentieth
century, it is amazing to find a country, with a total foreign import and
export trade exceeding two millions and a half sterling for the year
1901 and two millions and three quarters sterling for the year 1902,
whose shores were visited by over ten thousand steam and sailing
trading-vessels in the same period, registering an aggregate tonnage
of more than two million tons, almost untouched by British
merchantmen. Deplorable as this may be, statistics which Mr.
McLeavy Brown has drawn up show that one steamship, chartered
by Chinese and floating the British flag, entered Korean waters in
1900; that four steamers came in each of the years 1901-2, a return
which reveals a steady decline upon the previous years. Since Korea
was opened to trade in 1880, British shipping has visited the country
in the proportion of 1377 tons to every two years. Despite appeals
from our Consuls in Korea to British steamship companies
improvement has been impossible; since no response was evoked
by their efforts, and no service has been established. The
consequence of this is that a valuable opportunity has been allowed
to escape, the Japanese profiting by our indifference.
The trade of Korea is increasing gradually. A steamer, which could
make periodical calls between Shanghai and Won-san, Yokohama
and Vladivostock, taking cargo and passengers to the open ports of
Korea, and touching at Japan upon the journey back, would return
good money upon the venture. British and Chinese merchants would
prefer to ship in a British vessel. The old-fashioned traditions of the
British mercantile service, as to punctuality and despatch, are not
carried out by the steamers of the Nippon Yusen Kaisha and the
Osaka Shosen Kaisha, which call at the ports in Korea. It is almost
impossible to know when the steamers of these companies will
arrive or when they will leave. Little attempt is made to observe their
schedule. The condition of the vessels of the latter company
accredited to the Korean run is filthy. Moreover, this company is
careless of cargo, and quite indifferent to the comforts of its
passengers. The Nippon Yusen Kaisha certainly supplies meals in
foreign style, but the Osaka Shosen Kaisha provides nothing. Plying
between Japan, China and Korea, this company declines to make
any arrangements for foreigners in the matter of food or
accommodation. One experience is enough. Unfortunately,
foreigners are compelled to travel in them, as the steamers of one or
other of the two companies are usually the sole means of
communication between those countries and Korea. There is cargo
and passenger traffic for any company that will organise a regular
steam-service. The profits might be small at first, since the Japanese
prefer to endure their own steamers and to ship under their own flag;
but there are signs that the flourishing condition of the trade of the
country would bring ultimate success.
The establishment of a steamer-service, if only of one or two
steamers, is not the sole hazard by which Japanese competition
might be faced. The climate of Korea is peculiarly suited to fruit-
culture. If this work were taken in hand, the fruit might be tinned or
exported fresh to China, where it would find a ready sale. The fertility
of the soil near Won-san and the abundance of fish in the sea off
that part of the coast, would make that port a suitable export centre
for the creation of a fish and fruit-canning industry under foreign
management. Fish and fruit industries of this description in Japan
are profitable and very bad. Nevertheless, their output is widely
distributed over the Far East. The initiation of these industrial
ventures would require some time, for many difficulties oppress
foreigners, who are anxious to put capital into Korea. In the end, a
modest venture would reap sufficient success to justify the
speculation, while the returns would probably permit an immediate
expansion of the enterprise. There is no doubt about the fish; there is
no doubt about the fruit; but whatever investment of an industrial
character is made in Korea, close and high-class technical
supervision is the necessary accompaniment.
The British merchant in the Far East is the first to condemn his
own Minister and to abuse his own Consul, and he is the very last to
help himself. It may be, however, that the follies of the Imperial
Government, the unreasoning prejudices and foolish blundering of
the Foreign Office, have created this apathy. The drifting and
vacuous policy of Lord Salisbury made it impossible to avert the
decay of our prestige and trade which has set in throughout the Far
East. Official returns establish only too completely the unhappy
predicament in which trade and merchants alike are placed. There is
a general decrease in the volume of the one, and there has been no
sympathetic activity among those engaged in commercial interests
elsewhere to set against it. The deficiency is almost without solution,
so long as bounty-fed manufactures, carried in subsidised bottoms,
are set against the products of an unassisted trade. Competition is
increasing, and foreign manufacturers are themselves now meeting
the requirements of the markets of China. There is little prospect in
the future of the restoration of our former commercial superiority.
Much might be attempted, although it seems almost as if the British
merchant were so bent upon his own damnation, that little could be
done.
The decline of British trade cannot be attributed in any way to the
late disturbances in North China, to the decline in the purchasing
power of the dollar, or to the temporary rise in the market prices.
Japan has become our most formidable competitor. The decrease in
our trade is due entirely to the commercial development and rise of
Japan, who, together with America, has successfully taken from us
markets in which, prior to their appearance, British goods were
supreme. The gravity of the situation in which British trade is placed
cannot be lightly regarded. We still lay claim to the carrying trade of
the Far East; but the figures, which support our pre-eminence in this
direction are totally unreliable. If the true conditions were made
manifest, it would be seen that so far from leading the shipping of the
world in the Far East, Great Britain could claim but a small proportion
of the freights carried. Although we may own the ships, neither our
markets nor our manufactures are associated with their cargoes. It
would be well if the public could grasp this feature of the China trade.
Members of Parliament, ignorant of the deductions which are
necessary before claiming the carrying trade of the Far East—much
less of the Yang-tse and of the China coast—as an asset in our
commercial prosperity, and a sign of vigour of the first magnitude, do
not recognise how unsubstantial is the travesty of affluence which
they so constantly applaud.
BRICK LAYING EXTRAORDINARY