The Hawaiian gazette., 1901-09-03
WHEN THE DOOR OPENED.

WHEN THE DOOR OPENED.
The latest publication by the bureau
| of statistics at Washington Is mainly
devoted TO a review of the worlds trade
with China. Previous to 1912 China had
no trade treaties whatever with foreign
countries, and her commerce with the
rest of the world was of desultory
kind OF the beginning of American
trade with the Flowery kingdom 1t is
related that in 1884 a vessel sailed
from New York for Canton and com
peted the round trip in fifteen months.
She carried American goods and return
| ed with Chinese products, and the Ven
ture was so successful that trade was
established which grew until 1t was sec
ond alone to that of Great Britain.
, However. it was not until after the
opium war" in 1912 that China per-
mitted foreigners to land on her shores
and engage in business. Previous 10
that the foreigner who approached FOR
trade purposes was compelled to 90
business through the hong merchants
who maintained warehouses at the rev
ports where foreigners were permitted
to land their goods. One of the conse-
uuents of the opium war was the open
ng Of four ports where foreigners might
live This was followed by commercial
treaties with several powers, including
the United States. And this in turn LED
in 1883 to the acceptance of foreign min
listers by the Chinese court. And since
then a little has been gained each year
against the insularity of the Chinese
people until the whole empire may ne
said to be opened up to foreign trade,
at least so far as the consent OF the
Chinese government goes. In 1900, de-
: spite the falling off due to the Boxer
rebellion, the United States exported
goods to the value OF SEA 1000, 600 to emma
and took from there goods to the value
OF s2S, 1000, 900. In China the balance of
trade Is still against W, but our eX-
ports are growing fast, having more
than doubled during the past few
years.
When England had secured certain
commercial rights as the result of her
opium war, President John Tyler re-
!, solved to get the same rights for the
= merchants and seamen of the United
I States. So he sent Caleb Gushing as
, ambassador extraordinary with power
. to negotiate trade treaty with the
: authority with which Mr.. Cushing was
= equipped Is unique enough to he mos
, Interesting. Its stilted yet childlike die.
, ton irresistibly recalls the Indian ora
tory so faithfully set down In the schoo
readers of fifty years ago. We are re-
!, minded of some such scene as Pow
!, haitian and his braves assembled arounc
. the council fire. as an emissary of thu
II ,i.,t,, tall
. them what the coming of the palefac'
;, means.
" Il. John Tyler President of tn
United States" commences this mes
sage to the Chinese emperor send yo'
this letter of peace and Friendship
. signed by my own hand.
II hope your health Is good. Chln
is a great empire extending over
great part of the world. The Chimes
. are numerous. You have millions an
" millions of subjects. The twenty 81
> United states are as large as China
y, though our people are not so numerous
- The rising sun looks upon the grea
mountains and rivers of China, Whe
. he sets, he looks upon mountains an
rivers equally large in the Unite
States. Our territory extends fror
. ocean to ocean, and on the west we ar
=. divided from your dOminons only b.
- the sea. Leaving the mouth of one o
our great rivers and going CONSTANT
>, toward the setting sun, We sail to ia
pan and the Yellow Sea,
!, NOW my words are that the govern
ments of two such great countrie
should be at peace. II is proper an
according to the will of heaven. tina
they should respect each other and 'ac
/ wisely. ! therefore send to your cour
l. Caleb Gushing, one of the wise an
lie learned men of my country. on hi
lie first arrival In China he will inquire 70
e your health. He has strict orders to 6
y to your great city of Picking and Their
II to deliver this letter. He will have wit
$ him secretaries and interpreters.
10 The Chinese love to trade with GU
81 people and to sell them tea and silk. 70
II which our people pay silver. and some
n times other articles. But il the Chimes
$. and Americans trade, there should b
At rules, so that they shall not break you
p laws or our laws. Our minister, Gale
ID Gushing, is authorized to make a treat
y to regulate trade. Let 1t be just. lie
lie there be no unfair advantage on eithe
I, side. Let the people trade, not only a
$, Canton, but also at Annoy, Nigp,
Of Shanghai, Fuchau, and all other place
g. as may offer profitable exchanges bot