The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-11

Imports FROM FOrmOkn, SCyIOn
and Japan VIII Prevent a Famine
NEW YORK. July 10.-Tea is the next
domestic problem that the housekeeper is
likely to have trouble about. Trusts are
not responsible for it. but threatened war
In China, which. il 1t becomes a reality.
may bring about a tea famine. Already
the price has advanced since the Boxers
began their turmoil. and there are even
vague rumors down town that importers
are trying to rush a quantity into this
country to hold against the time when
the herb which cheers. but not inebriates
Is locked fast in its own country.
Whether or not tea merchants are trying
70 secure lot none out of half dozen in
teryiewed would say. Indeed, they all de-
MED 1t. but as none would care TO show Ills
hand in what is bound to be speculation
the denial may be taken with some grains
OF saline seasoning, particularly as one i'm
porter IL known to have invested $500, DOC
last week In tea. on which he banks to
make a big profit.
The state Of the tea market and the
quantity which America can get hold OF
depends not only on war. but several other
contingencies. One importer, who request
ed that his name be not used, said that q
declaration OF war would not necessarily
stop the tea export. for the Chinaman was
q canny business man and would hustle
his crop out of the country with a good
deal more chance Of success than would
attend the efforts Of some other nationali-
ties. Then, too. II was said, that as long
as the trouble was confined to Northern
China tea wouldn't be affected, for the
greater part is raised in the south and is
shipped from Shanghai and Hongkong.
which are far removed from Pekin.
An Anxious Importer.
Another particularly wary importer ex-
pressed grave anxiety as to the ability Of
the powers to keep the peace among them
selves when once they step into China,
and 1t didn't make any difference to tea
who was fighting. he said. Just as long
rs anyone fought it made tea risky and
threatened the export.
He It was who took a most serious view
Of the matter made graver by the fact that
there is only six months supply on hand
here. After that, famine, unless the new
crop comes in.
Famine literally will scarcely happen.
FOR q certain amount of tea comes from
India and Ceylon. besides Formosa (which
latter is now Japanese territory, but IL
lie SO little comparatively as to permit
famine prices. which would not effect my
lady's afternoon cup. but would deprive
Bridget Of hers for breakfast as effect
ually as though it didn't exist.
A serious danger which threatens the
crop is through neglect, 1t is said. Should
war be declared the heather Chinese will
cease tending his plants and picking bios
SONS, and Join the ranks to fight for he
generally won't know what. That being
the case it would take the plants at least
six months careful nursing to recover, and
what would the Americans do then, poor
things!
OF the six large importers interviewed
On the subject only two were willing that
their names should be used. Others SEEM
ed to feel that any opinion on the tea
market was so speculative In the present
dearth OF news from China that they cid
not care TO commit themselves. In Front
Street. which is the tea section. every
man seemed to have one eye on his husi-
ness and the other out, on his neighbor
to see what he was going to do about 1t,
and one and all said they wished they
knew what would happen. AS it is they
while they hope for good tidings. One
who was unusually optimistic even said
that half OF this years crop was already
on the way over here, but none was found
to agree with him, and another remarked
that he was talking through his hat"
New Crop Being Shipped.
Members OF the China and Japan Trad
ing Company talked quite frankly of their
views, which they said were merely cpin-
ions, as with no definite news from China
they were totally unable to form cecis-
ions.
THE new crop is already being ship
ped from China" / was told there, land
as the southern ports are yet unaffected.
there has been no difficult. in getting it
away. II tea famine comes 1t could not
be until next year, for 1t takes six months
for US here to be affected by export condi-
lions in China. But 1t may happen. In
war there is always such possibility.
II depends entirely upon the Chinese abil-
fly to tie up the ports.
THE present trouble has already made
the prices advance, and If conditions grow
worse 1t will send them up still more
The greater part of the tea crop is grown
IN southern China. and as far as We know
all that country is still tranquil. If the
probably get along all right.
An enormous quantity Of tea is raised
on the island Of Formosa, which is Japan
ese territory, you know. but there's this
much; which those people begin killing
there's no telling where they'll end, and
they're Just as likely to break out there
as any place. That would be very serious
for the tea market.
THE advance in price, OF course, was to
be expected, particularly as tea has never
before been SO cheap as a little while ago.
or not importers are trying to
rush quantity over here on speculation
against a famine We don't know. That
would be an individual proceeding on his
own opinion.
"Of what will happen We can form no idea
with the meagre news that We get now
A famine isn't impossible"
One of the Oldest importers on Front
Street took an extremely serious view OF
the situation. Asking that his name be
not used, he said:
Tea will be affected Just as far as this
trouble spreads or II war is declared. OF
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