The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-25
OUR TRADE WITH CHINA
ITS GROWTH WITH THREE PORTS
THAT r. NOW IN DANGER.
Tien-Tsin, New-ChanE and Che-Foo
All Important Points for Ex-
porters and Importers.
pecial to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, June A--Tien-Tsin
New-Chwang, and Che-Foo, which are
mentioned as the points of greatest activity
and danger. aside from Picking. the capital,
in the present roubles in China, are espe-
cially important in relation TO American
trade in that country. They are in the
northern part of the country and 10 is in
them that American goods seem to be in
the greatest favor. The growth of our
trade in that section is described somewhat
in detail by a recent publication Of the
Treasury Bureau of Statistics, which de-
scribes Tien-Tsin as the most important
city Of northern China, being located at the
head of the Gulf of Pe-Chi-Li, and but
eighty miles from the capital, Picking, with
which 1t is connected by water and by a
railway line. Another completed railway
line runs enthusiastically to Shanhai-
Kwan. and an elaborate railway system is
projected southwark from this point
through the populous provinces of Shan
Tung and Kiang-Su to connect Tien-Tsin
with Shanghai. In addition TO these, the
Grand canal. the most important of the
great artificial waterways of China, has for
centuries connected Tien-Tsin with the
Yang-Tse Kiang and Shanghai. It's popu-
lation is in round numbers 1000, 600, and its
imports, which in 1883 were less than %, 0O0,-
900 haikwan taels, were In 1897 more than
SO, 000,O 900 haikwan taels, having thus nearly
doubled during the decade. The commits
sioner of customs, Mr.. Alfred Hippisley,
writing in 1888 of the 1897 trade, calls atten-
ton TO the Importance of American trade
at that port, and adds that 1t is the only
trade which increased in 1898. over that OF
1897. saying that American drills, American
sheetings and American kerosene had espe-
cially increased in imports during the year,
while the cotton goods from other countries
were showing a decrease. Another inter
esting fact TO which he calls attention is
that the new railway line recently built 70
connect Tien-Tsin with Picking is already
proving extremely popular with the
Chinese. On this subject he says: lit is
astonishing how speedily Chinese, despite
their reputed conservatism, adapt them
selves to a new environment and make the
most OF increased transport facilities Of
fered them. Already Picking fruit is sent
direct TO Taku for shipment south, and
Picking is similarly supplied with southern
fruit. and traffic generally developed sc
rapidly that Ii soon became necessary &c
double the line"
Consul Reade, of the United States. SAYS
that Tien-Tsin ranks in commercial inn
pOrtance next to Shanghai and Canton. and
In a report TO the State Department, says
'Tien-Tsin. by its geographical position. Is
the point of accumulation and distribution
of all merchandise destined for the United
States or intended for consumption in the
northern provinces of China Direct ship
ments from the United States 10 Tien-Tsir
are impracticable, IL being in all cases more
advantageous TO ship TO Shanghai or Hong
Kong and then tranship 10 the steamers OF
light draft that ply between those ports anc
Tien-Tsin."
Che-Foo is considered an extremely i'm
pcrtant treaty port by reason Of the con
slant and growing demand for American
goods at that point. II is located on tn,
gulf of Pe-Chi-Li. comparatively nea'
TO Tien-Tsin, but nearer 10 tbs
British port Wei-Ha-WeL and il,
importance 10 American interest.
is pictured by Consul Fowler in q
report TO the State Department in which h'
says: 1T is satisfactory 10 see that during
the six months under review the following
American goods show a gain over the sam
period of 1896: Drills, 1924 pieces, sheet
ings. Ill, 040 pieces: kerosene oil. 9i2. go gal
Ions. 1t is worthy of note that OF tn,
thirty-six classes OF foreign merchandise
showing a gain in the table OF imports
twenty-seven are imported from gold stand
ard countries and only nine from Asia oil
silver standard countries; this in spite OF
the enhanced values due To the tremendou'
fall I'm silver. OF the twenty-five classes o.
foreign merchandise that show a declin,
eight are imports from gold countries ans
fourteen from silver standard countries.
New-Chang, while q comparatively small