The record-union., 1897-10-17

exporters with ready and accessible
means of securing all kinds of informa-
ton relative to the markets of the far
East
For, he ayers, there is ''woful lack
of accurate knowledge in the United
States about this great field of trade
opportunities which reaches from Ba-
tavia, in Java, to Vladivostock, in Pa
cFfic Siberia, and covers a coast line
of nearly 1000 miles It represents a
population of 5000O0,0o0 has already
a foreign trade of nearly 81 900. 900, 900.
possesses ten times the shipping of our
own Pacific Coast and boasts of several
ports whose respective populations ex-
ceed those of our Atlantic cities, with
the possible exception of New York,
and where the number of vessels en-
tering and clearing exceeds that of
any Atlantic port exclusive of New
York
In this commercial museum he would
have placed useful and representative
exhibits of ID what Japan, China.
Korea, Eastern Siberia, Manchuria,
Formosa, Indo-china, Siam, Straits
Settlements, Java, Borneo and Philip
pines are now importing, including C2)
prices at which products are sold to the
| consumer by the retailer, to the retail
er by the wholesaler, and to the whole
saler by the exporting firms of Eu-
| rope and other lands; CD amount i'm
ported Of each class Of goods, how
| packed, and how placed on the mar
ket; I'D characteristics and features
Of the local market, conditions of de-
mand and supply: 90 different specific
qualities and classes of goods as well
| as the general line; 90 methods of do
ing business, remitting payments, ne
gotiating exchange; G) customs
charges or duties and other Govern
| 90 names of reliable firms handling
each kind of imports; C9) names of
banking houses; Q0) names of steam
| ship companies running to the port,
os
QD and, finally, any other data that
| might be of use to the American ex-
porter.
These subdivisions he has made from
extensive and particular inquiry in the
East, and on the basis of very many
inquiries made of him by letter from
New York, San Francisco and other
centers of trade. The exhibits that
should be placed in such a museum
can be readily obtained and shipped
| at small cost, SO as to show exactly
what competition must be met in style
and quality. A study of these samples
as we'll as of price lists, would provide
the exporter with accurate information
| to determine how, if at all, he should
enter the field. By steady renewal, OF
as occasion demands, the samples can
be made constantly expository of the
exact condition of demand in the fan
East, and of the rivalry with which
American manufacturers and exporters
must contend.
He thinks that an expenditure OF
| $25,O00 would equip such a museum
with the necessary samples from the
leading markets of Yokohama and
Kobe, in Japan; Vladivostock in East
ern Siberia; ChemuIpo in Korea; Niu-
chwang, Tien-tsin, Shanghai, Hankow
| and Canton, in China; Hongkong and
Singapore, British colonies; Saigon, in
Indo-Cnina; Bangkok, in Siam; Ba-
tavia, in Java, and Manila, in the Phil
ippines
The expense of maintenance and re-
newal he places at $4,000 or $4,000
annually. San Francisco is suggested
at the seat of this museum, because OF
its location and its relation with the
Asian Pacific. He says that it now re-
quires three months for an American
manufacturer to receive a reply to in
quiries sent to Asiatic ports, but the
| desired information could be obtained
! IN such a museum, or through it, in
from ten to twelve days. And very
much to the same end Mr.. Barrett sets
forth fortifying his argument with the
| exa nple of the Philadelphia museum
which has direct support from the city
gov9rnment-which has proved SO con-
spicuously successful in promoting
trade with the Atlantic Coast of our
country.
He thinks that the cities of Sacra-
nento, Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Port
land, Los Angeles and others should
| cooperate with San Francisco in the
| establishment Of such an institution
as living, practical bureau of infor-
nation and promotion of trade He de-
clares that he has had extensive cor
| respondence on the subject. and has
made personal inquiry in many quar-
ters, and in not a single instance has
he received other than warm approval
| of the scheme. Here then is something
that is worthy Of consideration by the
manufacturers and exporters of the
country, but more especially of the
Pacific Slope cities. The question is
VIII the Minister'S suggestion fall upon
| barren ground?
WHAT A CRUEL BLOW.
/ Charles and Daniel Frohman and AL
]