The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1869-08-28
The Isthmus of Suez-The Suez Canal and
the Trade with China.
From the Pail Mall Gazette, June 2s.l

The 1sthmus OF Suez-The Suez Canal and
the Trade with China.
From the Pail Man Gazette, June zsl
The visit OF the yiccroy, obviously connected
with the opening OF the Suez Canal, is a sufh
GENTLY convenient occasion for pointing out some
of the results which the great work Of VI. Lesseps
is likely to produce. No doubt next autumn,
after the festival Of the Inauguration, all the
European papers will be filed with detailed ex-
plantations Of n matter which as yet the greater
Part OF Europe seems TO regard as n thing only
in its infancy. With the exception of Frnce,
which Is interested in the canal in its double
capacity of a proprietor and a merchant who,
through il, must come into the possession OF the
whole trade of Egypt, Austria Is the only country
that has taken any practical steps In anticipation
of the changes the canal must unavoidably pro-
duce in the relations of Europe with Asia, and
more especially with China and Japan. The
Government of Vienna, perfectly aware of the
importance which the port of Trieste is about to
acquire, has sent an important expedition to the
chief places of Eastern Asia, with a view to
inquire into the condition of their trade, as well
rs to introduce samples of Austrian manufactures
into the new markets. The result of this expedi-
ton must be, no doubt, of great Importance to
Austria and its return is looked forward to with
all the more eagerness, as the expedition Is
believed to have been formed in a more ~satisfac-
tory manner than might have been expected Of
bureaucratic Austria. 1t Gems to be composed
of several practical men of unquestionable compe-
tence. No other continental nation has as yet
done anything in this way, although the interests
of all of them are involved in this matter, and
must, We fear, turn to the disadvantage of Eng
land if it will not take any special steps in
accordance with the new circumstances, some of
which we will here indicate.
The impulse which the Suez Canal must give
to the trade of Spain, Italy and Greece may be
left out Of view rs being of mere local interest in
consequence Of the very nature of the chief pro-
ducfa Of thnsa countries Rut If alSD we nut
aside France, which will apply its commercial
energies chiefly and for the first time to the devel-
opment of the Egyptian trade, we shall be obliged
tO admit that the changes likely to take place in
the trade of the rest of Europe will be very con-
indeed. Trieste, Odessa, Taganrog and
the mouth of the Danube must attain in a few
years an Importance that they never possessed
before, and which might easily raise them in
some respects to the rank = of Alarseilles, IL not to
that of Liverpool or Southampton. P~resuming
that two parcels OF the same quality and ut the
same price are consigned to China, the one from
Trieste or Odessa, the other from London, the
former will have all the advantages Of n consider
ably reduced freight, and of about ten to twelve
days less travel. Such conditions must inevitably
benefit the productions of Austria, as well as of
Russia, ut the expense of England, Holland, and
partly of France. To Austria and Russia may be
added also G part of Germany. German factories,
situated Mt q distance of about eight to twelve hours
by rail from Vienna, will obtain all the advant-
ages of a communication with Eastern Asia by
small ships loading Mt Vienna, and sailing down
the Danube, the Black Sea, and the Suez Canal,
any Inconvenience or reshipping. OF
course, great advantages will still be ON the side
Of the best produce but in the trade with Asia
tine price is more looked to than the quality, and
is very likely that this state of things will
for a long time. Moreover, it is not at
all probable that Germany, the trade being estab-
lished, will refrain from improving its produce,
If the demand suggests improvement.
A lately published Russian report on the China
trade, states that the whole of this trade, imports
md exports included, reached the average sum of
2 500 900 ,O0Of. a year, of which the English
share is l ,023, 900, OO0f., and that of Russia only
81 900 ,000f. Overland trade via Siberia Such
, proportion may easily be changed by the Suez
Canal, and if IL will not be SO soon changed i'm
avor of Russia, it IL, mt all events, sure to be
in favor of Germany and Austria. La
he matter of cotton manufactures none of these
countries can compete with England, but both OF
hem can fairly compete in common WOODEN man.
in common cloth, in cheap cutlery and
heap leather goods. German cutlery has lost its
,redit in England and France, but it Will still find
market in China and Japan. As to other pro-
above named, there can be no doubt
hey will be welcomed in Asia, since they find a
eady market in England itself.
Russia can at this moment furnish for the
Jhina trade chiefly two productions-mw wool
nj corn-neither of which are of value for the
markets but we have no guarantee what
yer that in u few years large factories will not
'e established to convert the wool into tissues
mi steam mills TO convert corn into -four, both
Il which will find sale in Eastern Asia. If this
las not been done hitherto it is probably owing
o the fact that these tissues would not find a
market in Europe, and that corn is readily bought
In the s,uth of Russia the whole
rade is in the hands not Of lazy Russians, but of
harp Jews and Greeks, who, i'm the prospect of
be China and Japan markets, will easily under
tand the advantage of converting corn into the
Ighter form of flour and wool into tissues. AS
D the workers for the new wooden manufactures
hey may be found in Germany, if not in Russia
self. I
1t may be said that all these changes will
equIre a large amount OF capital but among
ne Jews and Greeks i'm Russia there is plenty of
loney and, besides, it is well known that whcr-
yer a good profit is to be expected, capital is
ways to be found readily enough.
The opinion prevalent in England that Russia
as no fleet in the Black Sea is exaggerated.
hortly after the Crimean war a large Steam
ompany was established and literally supported
y the Government. The steamers of this COM
there are plenty of Greek, Italian and
.ustrian ships in the Black Sea. But our pres
Ut aim is not so much to point out what the
ucz Canal may do for Russia, as to point out
hat it is likely to do for Germany and Austria ,
as We fear at the expense of England.
l.
Influence of individuals and Events. n.
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