New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-16
blessing. He's fine old gentleman, and I'm
gad met HIM.

Letters from Mr. Congar. Minister to China,
just received here. but written before the tragic
events Of the last few weeks had occurred, tell
Of the pleasure his family take in the life there
and note the rapid progress the Celestial King
dom is making toward civilization. All OF his
dispatches to the State Department have until
recently called attention to this. and in the last
report received by the State Department from
Consul Buringame Johnson Annoy he re-
counts at length the new conditions Of trade In
China ard says that changes are now taking
place there rapidly than at any previous
period In her history. Mr. Johnson did not prob
ably foresee the wonderful changes which fol-
lowed soon after the writing Of his report. and
In the light Of these changes what this American
Consul had to say before they were made is In
terestng.
In June last the rivers were opened to foreign
craft for the first time. and already from the
principal ports numerous steam launches have
been commissioned for inland traffic and a revo-
luton in internal trade will follow. Modihca
lions In the collection of likin dues, which per-
nit the breaking OF bulk and dlsposing OF
part of the cargo before the final destination is
reached, have rendered ad litional aid 10 the
foreign merchant. Chinese merchants are be
ginning 20 realize that the increased CONNER
cal facilities given foreigners also result in
benefit TO them. and encourage a liberal con-
struction Of all trade regulations
The volume Of foreign trade with China for
1891 exceeded that OF 1896 by over 32,000,0D0
haikwan taes. The value Of United States trade
in China during the year represents ID per cent
Of the total trade of all nations is double that
Of Germany, and Is second only 10 that Of Great
Britain. This advanced position Of American
trade in the empire Is the result Of efforts ex
IL oil
no longer holds the first place The most valu
able branch OF American trade with China Is
now that of cotton goods. over 100000 in
cotton fabrics were exported during the year.
equal to about 40 per cent Of the total exports
OF cotton goods from the United States. The
American drills and snirtings preferred by
the Chinese as they are heavier and said 10 be
more durable As cotton is almost exclusively
worn by the natives. the market here for Ameri-
can cotton fabrics can easily be made equal to
that Of all other foreign markets combined
Mr. Johnson also advocates the Introduction
Of corn -four and shows how 1t can be accom-
pshed. He says:
The means OF introducing the corn hour &C.
serves special mention The Chinese are $40"
to originate new methods Of cooking. but readily
copy an idea which pleases their fancy. Inc
cooks like all artisans here. are organized into
guilds Thousands Of people eat at the puonc
restaurants Whatever Is served at these res
taurants will soon become a popular dish II
few dozen Of these cooks were taught how 70
prepare corn flour for food in some simple IN
expensive manner, and were given the flour al
an especially low price as an inducement lot
them 10 serve II. it would not be long before
all the cooks in that community would be using
H. But unless some systematic effort is made
20 introduce It. it will never enter into the Dill
OF fare in China
American canned goods according 10 Mr. Fow-
er are slowly gaining foothold. The DIM
Guilty encountered here as In other lines lies
in the scarcity OF American merchants. special
advertising agents and the lack OF dispose
ton on the part OF American manufacturers and
exporters 10 cater to the peculiar wants Of the
Chinese trade.