The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-13
SEEKING TRADE IN THE ORIENT.
Industrial Commission VIII He Of
Great Benefit to America,

New York Mall and Express
With the enactment of the bill authariz-
ing the president 10 appoint a commission
to study Industrial and commercial condi-
tions in China and Japan, the senate has
provided an agency which is bound 70 be
a powerful aid in ext ending American trade
interests in the Far East This commits
sion is 10 consist OF five members. one each
from the Eastern, Middle, Southern. West
ern and Pacific coast states, whose .iuty 3.
shall be TO spend at least one year in an
investigation of the markets of China
Japan and adjacent countries and TO as
certain what Of the products of our farms
mills and workshops may be sold there
and how these should be manufactured
packed and shipped. az well as the proper
methods OF trunsa sting the business 81 as
to largely increase their use and consuulp-
ton" These commissioners are each to
receive a salary not exceeding 5000 per
year; they are to have the active cc-opera-
ton of American consular and diplomatic
representatives in all the countries they
may visit, and Il is stipulated that they
shall enter upon the performance Of their
duties at the earliest practicable date
The creation of this commission-for we
cannot doubt that the action of the senate
will be promptly ratified by the house-is a
practical recognition OF the fact that we
must look to the Orient for the future
EXPANSION OF our foreign commerce. In
the countries bordering on the Pacific ocean
there are more than 500. co., 600 Inhabitants
and It IS among them that We must seek
new markets for the products OF our farms
mines and factories The growth Of our
exports to China and Japan. while steady
and substantial. is not az great as 1t should
he and will be. with proper efforts TO ex-
tend st. Our exports TO China for the year
1899 amounted to s14. 437. 42o an increase of
x.-ttl
the percentage Of gain has been maintain
ed ever since 1s9s OF the whole volume.
slo.27s,4Sf represented sales OF cotton cloth
and our shipments OF general merchandise
were Si3161 less than those for 1895
Our exports to Japan have increased from
s5.22S.643 In 1890 to ST. os4 ess in 1899 but the
volume for the last named year was ss1o0.-
s53 less than the total for 1888, thus show
ing that our trade interests In the japanese
markets have not been as carefully looked
after as they should be. Japan has as IL
by magic become 4 competitor OF the
United States and Great Britain I'm the vast
markets of Chira. She is nation of arts
ans and mechanics. whose Industrial devei-
opment is RAPIDLY transforming her into
powerful rival OF the western world Chin.
containing one-fourth q the population Of
the entire world Is the field where we must
find new markets for the products Of cur
agriculture and industry. and IL we would
succeed II must he through persistent. ra-
tional. organized effort to ascertain the
needs of those distant races and how 10
supply them mere cheapIy, more promptly
and more satisfactorily than our comneti-
tors can
1t Is to accomplish these purposes that
the proposed commission has been devised
The method is.new to us, but NOT to other
nations. Germany has already sent such n
commission to China, while France and
England have each sent two. and those
nations are now enjoying the tremendous
advantages derived from definite knowl-
edege OF the requirements and possibilities
Of the Oriental markets A years study
of trade conditions In the Far East by a
commission representing all sections and
industries OF the United States would he
of incalculable value to American trade
for 1t is only by following the example Of
ether countries that we can hope to COM
mand our just share OF the unfolding CON-
merce of Asia.