The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-04-28
TRADE wITH CHINA.
Some Pertinent Suggestions on That
Subject From the Chinese
Minister


BOSTON. April 97.-In his speech at
the banquet OF the National Association
OF Manufacturers last night, WI Ting
Fang. the Chinese minister, said:
THAT the trade of this country with
China has been rapidly increased with
in the last few years is borne out by
the statistics published every year, but
il is not generally known and IL is
fact which should be remembered that
our merchants are the only exporters
of your goods to China.
Take for instance the case Of -four.
All that is sent to China is upon order
FIRST received at the mills in this coun-
try This shows you clearly the inn
portance and necessity of allowing the
Chinese merchants and traders to have
free and friendly intercourse with the
manufacturers and merchants Of this
country.
IF Chinese merchants could come
more freely to this country and see how
things are done in your business estab-
nshments it would certainly give them
better idea of American enterprise
and energy and impress them with
great respect for American methods.
They could also see many things which
are new to them, ascertain their utility
and their uses and would then pur-
chase them.
1aI 70 nd /
with great reluctance, that no such
facilities are afforded to Chinese Gus
toners to come to this country. Ameri-
can manufacturers may have agents in
China to sell their goods. But Chinese
merchants certainly ought to know best
what is most suitable for their home
markets. II they could enter this
country without unnecessary restric-
tons they might be in a better position
to select not only what they came to
buy but also carry home with them a |
great many things which they had no |
intention of buying at the outset.
1T seems to me that self interest
alone ought to point out the best course
for the Americans to follow. If you
should wish to increase your trade with |
China every obstacle in the way Of free
intercourse between the two countries
should be removed. AS the progress
Of civilization has levelled one natural
barrier after another in order that the
peoples of the earth may be drawn to-
ic
tainly contrary 20 the spirit Of the
times to erect artificial ones by means
of hostile legislation.
with a growing commerce between
China and the United States the ques-
ton of transportation will no doubt
come more and more to the front. IN
days not very long past the American
flag was a common sight among the
shipping OF Hong Kong and other
Chinese ports. Now it is conspicuous
by it's absence. If Americans are to |
make good their claim to a due share |
of the commercial advantages in China, |
it Is essential that they should revive |
their carrying trade in Chinese waters. !
1 have been informed that more goods
have been offered of late to the steam
ship companies at San Francisco than
they can possibly carry with the linn
ited facilities at their command. The
result is that the freight rates to the
Orient have taken sharp rise. The
exporters from the eastern states can
not but be injuriously affected.
IF an isthmian canal were in opera
ton connecting the waters Of the At
lantic with those of the Pacific such |
congestion of traffic at any point on
the Pacific coast would be at once re-
lieved But unfortunately, the day is
still far distant when steamers can
pass from ocean to ocean across the
Central American isthmus. In the
meanwhile the time and tide of trade