The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-11-19
TRADE WITH CHINA
tactic Coast States Will
Reap Greatest Benefit.

Nedp dTedteSI Benefit.
THE CELESTIALS ARE WAKING UP
A Good Field for American Money
and MISUNDERSTANDING Re-
forms Expected.
Washington, Nov. 1O.-It has al
ways been held that China was good
field for American enterprise and
American money. Americans who
seek to engage in business enterprises in
China or Japan find themselves handi-
capped by the fact that all their bust
ness in the way of money must be done
through English banking houses
English money finds as good invest.
ment in China as it does elsewhere
English capitalists have their invest
ments in the East covered by the ex.
change through English banking
houses. By the same token Americans
find it much more difficult to secure
foothold in the Eastern countries for
their manufactures and wares, although
sold as cheaply as those manufactured
in England.
While it does not appear that there
has been any change in the matter OF
American banking business, it is a
fact there is change in the matter of
enterprise in China. The son of min
lister DENLY has noted several instances
Of late showing that Americans are be-
ginning to see that there is future
for them in the matter of Chinese
trade and Chinese investment. This
has been especially noticeable in the
matter of ship and railroad building.
Upon this line he says:
Among these, the American Trad
ing Company, of New York, London,
Yokohama and Shanghai, has been the
longest in the field. In addition to it's
usual business Of exporting and i'm
porting, this company has recently be-
come the agent Of the Cramp Ship
building Company and of the Union
iron works. 1t also represents an
American railroad syndicate, and has
submitted bids for the building of a
railroad from Soochow to Chinkiang,
and for the building of an electric
tramwsy in the foreign concessions at
Shanghai. These bids have not as
yet been accepted. During the past
winter this company was also agent
for an American banking syndicate,
and entered into negotiations for
a loan to China. 1t is this same
company that has secured a conces-
sion for a railroad from Chemulpo to
Seoul, in Corea, and that has sold two
ships on behalf Of the Cramp COM
pany to the Japanese government.
''Mr. A. w. Bash, Of Port Town
send, Wash, is the representative at
Peking of a wealthy combination Of
capitalists in New York, who wish to
secure railroad, mining and other con-
tracts in China. The syndicate has or.
ganized a company called the Ameri-
can China Development Company, in
corporated under the laws of the state
of New Jersey. Their plans are far.
reaching and comprehensive, but they
have not yet beeen brought to suffi-
GENTLY definite form to justify report
thereon. 1t is supposed. however.
that they will confine their attention
to North China, and that they have at
present no projects south Of the Yang
tse river.
1.-THE Bethlehem iron works have
been represented in Peking during the
winter by Captain Zalinski, U. s. A.,
retired. This company wishes to OBJ
tain orders for coast defenses, armor-
plates, disappearing guns, amumni.
ton. etc., and its agent also submitted
to the yamen plans for submarine
boats. The yamen seems at present
disinclined to enter on naval recon.
struction, against which they are
strongly advised by Sir Robert Hart,
inspector. general Of customs. The
foreign customs revenue is now almost
entirely pledged to pay the Russian
French and German-English loans OF
200, 200, 900 taels. A further indebted.
ness of $4,000, 900 taels, on similar
terms, would require to meet it the
balance of customs revenue now re-
manning, and would leave China with
out revenue from this source for many
years to come. Want of funds will
prevent the purchase Of large feet or
great investment in coast defenses.
American methods and American in
vestments would no doubt do great
deal to stimulate trade with China. It
is, of course, known that anything that
would increase the business with China
would be of immense advantages to
the Pacific slope, as the trade with the
Orient must be carried on from the Pa
cifio coast It il known that a great
deal Of big industries, such as railroad
building, shipbuilding, and in fact
anything Of a modern character, must
of necessity draw from the outside
world, and the United States could
best supply such demands. and in turn
these supplies would be taken from the
coast states.
Chicago Stock Exchange Reopened.
Chicago, Nov. 9.-After having been
closed for over three months, the Chi
cago stock exchange reopened today.
Though one or two small failures were
expected they failed to materialize,
most trades held in allegiance by the
closing Of the exchange having been
amioably settled.
Ran Down by Car.