San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-09-26
CHINA DISCUSSED.
REPORT ON HER GENERAL TRADE
LAST YEAR.
The War Had Little Effect on Her
Exports or Imports, Gold or
Silver - Will China Ex-
pand or Contract?

report on the trade OF emma Tor
1894, prepared by the secretary Of
the British legation at Pekin. The
most remarkable feature of this
trade for the year is found In the
fact that Notwithstanding the
Chinese war and many other un-
toward circumstances, good results
are obtained, and that revival of
commercial prosperity has set in.
Both exports and imports show an
advance, and the customs revenue
was increased by every division OF
trade with the one exception of
Indian opium. The receipts from
the exports exceeded the max.
imum collected during the most
prosperous days of the trade. In
accounting for this condition, the
author OF the report says no ports
were blockaded during the war,
and the usual calamities Of war
were almost wholly absent. He
therefore concludes that the re-
vival was due to the inherent
staunchness of the position. Form
or stocks of imports had been alb
sorbed and prices were on the
whole 80 moderate and safe as to
encourage orders.
Fluctuations in the value OF
silver" says the report, though
occurring, were less violent, and
while exposing the imports to less
risk, afforded more confidence to
the exporters. This is well illus
trated by the results OF the years
operations, almost every export
having done we'll. We all con-
cluded that the revival, which, I'M
der changed conditions, we expect
to continue, is the natural result
of the range OF values and safe bus
mess and of steadiness in exchange
which has reached a low standard"
The report quotes expressions Of
opinions from various British rep.
resentatives throughout the Chi
nese empire. The consul. general
at Shanghai touches upon the sill
yer question. In the quotation at
tIJuuUcu w hiIuy hO Sd .ySs Stopii-
ity in the value Of silver is the one
desideratum of the foreign mer-
chant in the far east, and it is
pointed out that fluctuations in 1t
must really affect the weil-being OF
the entire population of the United
Kingdom. Under these influences
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 Eu-
rope at about one-half Of the cost
at which they could be sold years
ago."
For the increase OF foreign trade
in China the report recommends
the substitution of show yards for
the costly circulars now sent there.
The report takes the position that
the opening of the ports of Suchow
and Hung Chou by the Japanese
treaty will have very little infiu-
ence on the volume and value of
foreign trade, on account of the alb
sence of banking and shipping IA
cilities at those places.
Commenting upon the effect OF
the war, the report says: "Even
if, as may be the case, China has
learned a lesson by the war, yet it
seems scarcely credited that she
will be able to avoid measure of
reorganization, il not merely for
self defense at least by the neces-
sity OF providing money for the
indemnity which must be paid. Ii
China is ever to stand alone and
cease to be victim of assailants
she must have new fleet, an
honest financial administration
and an army reorganized after an
European model. More than this,
she must construct railroads, open
mines, build roads and generally
develop the great latent resources
of the empire"
The English consul at Chez Foo
is quoted as expressing the fear
"that the only lesson which the
Chinese will learn from their mis-
fortunes in their war with
Japan is the need OF more
warlike material, an increase
Of hatred for foreign nations and a
greater desire than ever to keep
them aloof by fair means or foul"
Instead Of merchant steamers, he
predicts, "they will purchase men
of-war and heavy guns, instead OF
railway plants, and ammunition
instead of useful machinery"