The evening times., 1899-09-28

The competition for the prospective trade
of the Philippines. and Manila especially,
has been growing stronger daily since the
surrender of that city to Admiral Dewey.
The fact is youched for by Consul General
Wildman at Hongkong, who has made an
other exhaustive report to the State De-
partment on the subject. This report was
given to the public this morning. The COM
mercial situation of the islands is re-
viewed quite extensively by Mr.. Wildman.
AS result of the war;" he says, 1.-The
eyes of the world have been turned toward
the Philippine Islands and China. The
British Chamber of Commerce early realiZ-
cd that their trade supremacy in the Far
East was soon to be contested by the
United States. They sent to China Lord
Charles Beresford as their representative
who appeared before all the chambers of
commerce on this coast, and told them
plainly that if England wished to main
tain her commercial prestige in the Far
East her resident merchants in the Far
East must cooperate actively with the
English manufacturers at home, and that
the English steamship companies must be
prepared to make some little sacrifices for
time in order to meet the changed con-
ditions brought about by the new competi-
tor in the field.
During the tour of this celebrated Eng
lishman, there was a great deal said on
political topics and the open door and
sphere Of influence policies were exhsus-
lively discussed. But l believe that the
great benefit to be derived from Lord
Charles Beresford's visit will be CONNER
cial rather than political, and that the en-
9rQ6fie 10 hp fef ha W a.
ters OF British trade, will have lasting
effect America has also had a commission
on this coast, sent out by the Philadelphia
Museum, which, while 1t worked in quiet
er way, will be OF immense advantage to
oEr exporters. Its representatives made
themselves as well acquainted as possible
with the complex conditions of Asiatic
trade, and returned to America with their
minds filled with the needs of this coast,
and with the general principles which gov
ern trade relations here.
If may be permitted to make a COM
parison between the trade operations of
the English, Germans, and Americans /
would say that the Americans are less dar-
ing and less confident than the other two.
The idea of even our largest manufactur-
ers seems to be that they cannot COM
mence on this coast in small way and on
a paying basis.
There is only one way for American
manufacturers TO win their way here, and
that is TO thoroughly study the market,
decide whether their goods are suitable
and then establish a house or agency
large enough to command the respect of
the great Chinese Hongs, and the consid-
Grafton of the English or German firms
that have been established here for years
After the American firms have decided
tn tor h T- N1rlra II lr
advise them to establish a big wholesale
and retail emporium in Hongkong. the
larger the better. 1t would have to be on
modern lines, modelled to some extent up
on our large establishments in the United
States. If the store were made attract
i've, Chinese from all over the coast would
flock in. AS they never buy without first
seeing the article, the advantage of such
an arrangement would be immediate"