The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-02
CHINA's FOREIGN TRADE.
Extracts From the Report of the I'M
periaI Customs Service.


periaI Customs Service.
The foreign trade Of China In 1899. ant
especially the effect OF the railways upor
business in the section where the present
disturbances are in progress. is discussed
in the annual report OF the Imperial Gus
| toms Service Of that country, Just received
by the Treasury Bureau Of Statistics. The
following are extracts from the report:
The foreign trade of China during the
year 1893 was characterized by an aston
fshing development. and merchants, both
foreign and native. made handsome profits
IN almost every branch. The political sit
uation. although still unsettled. gave rise
to no immediate fears; exchange remained
remarkably steady; the rice crop was
abundant; the spring weather during the
critical period for the silkworms was un-
usually favorable. and except for re-
crudescence OF piracy on the West River,
there were no disturbances to check the
trade. The gratifying result was that the
year beat all previous records and showed
| an advance without precedent
! The total trade was valued at Hafkwan
taels 46o53s. 2Ss. rise of Haikwan taels
91,916.S05 on 1898. and more than double
the figures for 1890. The internal trade
| Of the country was also unusually brisk,
and the important changes which will be-
brought about by the extension of rail-
ways have already been proved Nieu-
chwang and Tlentsin have promptly re-
sponded to the stimulus Of better means
OF communication, and the trade at these
ports has leaped forward. although the
former suffered from a severe outbreak
OF plague. 1t Is found that Immediately
trains begin to run districts through which
there was comparatively little traffic. such
as between Paoting and Pekin, suddenly
commence to hum with life and activity,
and there springs up a fiourishing trade
which was formerly undreamed of and i'm
possible for want Of cheap transport.
The Russian line has been completed az
far north as Moukden. and the extraordi-
nary richness Of Manchuria will soon be-
come evident. The Lu-Han Railway. FROM
Pekin to Hankow, makes steady progress
Within six months it Is expected that
trains will be running as far south as
Chingting
As what was written last year Concern
ing China's foreign trade was criticised In
some quarters as too optimistic. ir may be-
we'll to point out that the report dealt with
the condition and prospects Of the COM
merce as affecting China's national inter-
ests and prosperity. and not from the point
OF view Of the individual foreign merchant,
who finds the volume of trade too RESTRICT
ed for the amount Of competition encoun-
tered 1t Is true that the trade, when the
possibilities are considered. Is of small
dimensions; but the future is distinctly
bright, if the results to be expected from
the coming railways are calculated The
Chinese. from the highest to the lowest,
are traders by instinct, and are prompt to
take advantage OF every opportunity Of
profit
To form an idea Of what future pros
poets are. 1t is fair to make q comparison
with India. The areas Of the two EN-
pires are almost Identical, and their prod
ucts very similar, but China has larger.
a more Industrious. and more Intelligent
population; while. on the whole, the coun-
try is probably more fertile and possesses
greater mineral resources In the former
country trade Is assisted by good roads.
and lightness or absence Of tax
alton; in the latter. at present. 1t Is ham,
pered by directly opposite conditions. The
result is that the exports from India are
worth three times the exports from China
With equal opportunities, which the build
ing Of railways and opening Of mines will
bring about. this discrepancy should dis
appear Inc year 1883. mas SEOWn IN .
striking manner what an advance Is made
when circumstances are propitious. AS will
De shown later on. the year was favorable
10 exports and We have as a result to
'ecord in each direction the highest fig
Tres ever reached.
The net value OF the import trade was
Iaikwan taels 264. 74S. 456. being an advance
" Haikwan taels 50. 1853, 122 over the prev
Gus year. and double the figures for 1890.
- oil frI-
% 50. leo piculs. and realized most remun-
,rative prices. Both importers and native
lealers made large profits. The reason for
his remarkable increase in trade which
has been steadily dying out was probably
Tue to bad crops Of the native drug. The
Chinese Government has been warned Of
he evils which are resulting from the i'm
proper use Of this drug. and steps are now
being taken to have the importation re-
s:Ficted.
The trade in cotton goods, which had re-
NAMED practically stationary for three
years. made q great advance. the value
having risen from Haikwan tasls ,i.ffs.S24
to Haikwan taeIs 1C3, 1855, CAS-. 1t would be
tedious to Darticularize all the gains
which will be found on reference to the
table Of imports. where it will be seen
hat every article mentioned. with the ex-
.eption OF grey shirtings insignificant de-
.rease), TCioths, English and Dutch
cans, ard English yarn, was imported in
quantities exceeding the figures for 1888.
As regards the falling of CT T-Cloths. it Is
explained tia; their piece is being taken
by what are generally known in the trade
IS "Continentals," which are included in
,ur returns under the heading Of sheet
ngs 1t will be observed that English
meetings showed an advance from 523. 1856
20 r;a ard h.. in. raS h..
scribed partly to continentals and partly
o the higher prices which have prevailed
n the United States. American skeetings
ose again. from s.i33.s91 to 3,s7o.qs3
,ieces.
Speaking generally, the year commenced
With small stocks on hand. and demand
vas brisk. short cotton crop through
tut the world gradually raised prices. but
contracts for delivery IN China were made
% far in advance that importers were
,ble to lay down their goods at prices
which realized handsome profits Toward
he close of the year higher prices tended
o check business. and it Is possible thst
Importers may have TO face some delay
II disposing OF the irnportations which ar
i've at dearer rates. The feature iso5c
worthy of note was tie continued sdTance
II American and japanese goods. the lat
er especially showing very rapid deFei-
,pment. The class OF white shirtinss
low imported is greatly superior to what
anne formerly. the people demanding a
better article.
The Importation Of sundries rose in vaius
ron, Haikwan taels S9.353.602 to Haikwan
aels III. 637. s97. and it is interesting 20
Office the share in this increase taken
" articles showing progress in wealth
nd a desire for comfort and luxury. Can
les cigars and cigarettes. CLOCKS anu
md IyIiSS. lanilS.