The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-09-27
CHINA'S TRADE.
PROMISED REVIVAL OF CONNER.
CIAL ACTIVITY SET IN.
Both Exports and Imports Show an
Advance-China Has Learned Lit
tie Good From the Late War.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26.-The de-
partment of state is in receipt of a
report on the trade of China for 1894,
prepared by the secretary of the Brit
ish legation at Picking. The most re-
markable feature of this trade for the
year is found in the facts that, not
withstanding the japanese war and
many other untoward circumstances,
good results were obtained and that
promising revival of commercial
prosperity has set in. Both exports
and imports show an advance and the
customs revenue was increased by ev-
cry division of trade with the one ex-
ception of Indian opium. The receipts
from the exports exceeded the maxi
mum collected during the most pros
porous days of the tea trade.
Accounted For.
In accounting for this condition, the
author of the report says no ports
were blockaded during the war, and
the usual calamfties of war were al
most wholly absent. He therefore con-
cludes that the revival was due to
the inherent stanchness of the po-
sition.''
Former stocks of imports have been
absorbed and prices were on the
whole so moderate and safe as to en-
courage orders.
Fluctuations in the value of silver"
says the report, though occurring,
were less violent, and while exposing
the importer to less risk also afforded
more confidence to the exporters. This
is well illustrated by the results of
the years operations almost every ex-
port having done we'll. We may con-
chude that the revival which, under
changed conditions, we expect to con-
tinue. is the natural result of the
range of values having reached
sound and safe basis and of moderate
steadiness in exchange which here had
8 low Standard
Silver Question.
The report quotes expressions of
opinions from various British represent
tatives throughout the Chinese empire.
The coDSul-general at Shanghai touches
upon the silver question in the quota
ton attributed to him. He says that
1.-The stability in the value of silver is
the one desideratum of the foreign
merchant in the far east, and it is
pointed out that fluctuations in it must
really affect the we'll being of the
entire population of the united king
dom. Under the inf1uct of cheap sill
yer, the volume of exports continues to
expand and the European consumer
reaps the benefit of their cheapness in
gold prices. The fall in silver and low
freights have combined to enable the
majority Of the staple exports of China
to be laid down in Europe at about
half the cost at which it could be sold
years ago"
For the increase of foreign trade in
China the report recommends the SUBJ
stitution Of show yards for the costly
circulars now sent there. The report
takes the position that the opening of
the ports of Su Chow and Hang Chou
by the japanese treaty will have very
little influence on the volume and value
OF foreign trade on account of the
absence of the banking and hipping
facilities at those places.
Learned No Good Lesson.
Commenting upon the effect of the
war, the writer of the RepAe says:
Even, as may be the case. China has
learned no lesson by the wa=, vet il
seems scarcely credible that she will
be able to avoid some measure of re-
organization if not merely in self-de-
Tense, at least by the necessity of Dro
viding money for the large indemnity
which must be paid. If China. is ever
to stand alone and cease to be "a vic
tim of any assailant, she must have
new fleet, an honest financial adj
ministration and an army reorganized
after an European model. More than
this she must construct railways. open
mines, build roads and generally de-
velop the great latent resources of the
empire"
The English consul at Che Foo is
quoted as expressing the fear chat
the only lesson which the Chinese will
learn from their misfortunes in the
war with Japan is the need of more
war like material, an increase of hatred
sire than ever to keep them aloof bv
fair means or foul. Instead of mer-
chant steamers he predicts. "thav
will purchase men of war, heavy pnns
instead Of railway plants, and ammnni.
Of