New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-15
CYCLING IN THE PHILIPPINES.
CONSUL-GENERAL wILDMAN TELLS OF THE

BICYCLE IN HONG KONG AND THE
NEW AMERICAN COLONIES
Rounsevele Wldman the Consul General at Hong
Kong. says some interesting things in his report
just received at Washington. Regarding the ef
forts Of the American bicycle manufacturers 10
attract foreign trade, nc says
To understand this market thoroughly 1t is neces-
sary to describe the highway conditions OF the col
sea level are terraces Broken BY flights Of steps:
cycling purposes Consequently. the available roads
are reduced to two: although there are numerous
the island. The favorite. and in fact only. road
for % borders h the hr66 6 front s apd aSGS
surface. and is beautifully kept up The view and
comes sweeping in from the ocean is most refresh
ing. Every evening from 3 until I o'clock 1t Is
lot OF machines ever seen Bicycles Of al dates
run side by side The other road referred to Is
miles long This road contains some heavy grades:
which strong rider can an taxi but they DO not
This Is free port consequently rs m house Dmy
real importers of bicycles alt1ough there are two
few on sale On the other hand. every firm. from
the largest the smallest. handles bicycles for th9
convenience of customers who are scattered all
over China and the Philippine Islands. Possibly
half Of those which are IN use here We're
probably two-thrds OF all the machines IN use mere err,
are American. There is no faVOTite make. ana all
wheels have equal chances In this market; InPre
has been little money spent In advertising any
particular make. in consequence OF which they an
go under the generic name Of bicycles. and are
NOT distinguished by names. The Chinese, who are
becoming the largest users Of bicycles this coast
are utterly Indifferent TO name or reputation ,
To reterate what have repeatedly written bl-
cycle manufacturers. what this market demands Is
a low-grade lOw-priced machne-one that would
sell for say $50 gold in America wholesale. II you
add saw g 80 freight from New YORK 10 HONG
Kong the machine could be sold here at nice
profit The high grades Of American machines are
al present selling in this market for $50 Mexican
and where could be sold at this price one nun
dyed al the cheaper figure would find a market
n is NOT necessary that the machine should even
inst as good a price the 1899. consider inns a
magnifcent field for bicycle manufacturers TO un-
load ali their old stock. do not overlook the rev
enthusiastic riders here who are always. IN TOUCH
with the latest improvements. but am referring 20
the market as a whole All bicycles should De
fitted with brakes lamps and bells. as the streels
are with rickshaws and sedan chairs anu
darkness comes almost without warning. since
Inc occunation OF Manila by the Americans. there
here as Hong Kong has for years been the FEEDER
for the Philippine Islands as well as Its ware,
house In time Of course. agencies Will be opened
in Manila for bicycles but until that time arrives
Hong Kong will be the distributing centre. st.,
would not advise bicycle makers 10 sen InuIs-
criminatey TO the unknown individual purchaser CI
credit az there no collection agencies he,e
The same conditions exist with regard 10 Dcycies
as 10 ali other shipments. the shipper craving LOT
his shipment and negotiating his draft through
ba nk with complete documents attached