The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-10-08
CHINA'S PURCHASES ABROAD.
The CcIeS1iaIS Buy More Cheap Than
Expensive Articles.

A list Of the articles manufactured in
other countries and now being used in
China has been received at the State De
partmeut from Henry r. Miller. the
United States Consul at Niuchwang. Mr.
Miller I'm explaining the list says that
one OF the marked features of the trade
i'm most things is the inferior quality or 1
the goods. Cheapuess seems to be the /
predominating characteristic This is es-
peciaIly true of japanese productions
The American Consul. commenting on /
the subject adds.
The Japanese are initiating a vast 4
number Of foreign goods and putting "a /
cheaper quality on the market. they are /
especially shrewd in imitation of brands I
Something Of the expansion and diversi- .
fication OF the trade Of Japan Will be OBJ
served from the great variety of things
she sells 60 China. She understands the
nature and character of The thinese'
makes a close study of the requirements,
and caters TO the peculiar artistic taste on
+ the masses and their desire for very cheap
goods.
1T is one Of the traits of the Chimes TO
handle the things they use very careiuiy.
/ and hence cheap and poorly made articles
will last much longer in service than with
most people. Goods made ia China would
. be Of little value for use 10y Americans.
/ This characteristic makes the Chinese
market 70. fimsy gaudy. and cheap
/ things a good one i'm many lines II IS
not. however. applicable TO all branches,
for the trademark of substantial ana
I satisfactory products has a greater ''-uS
. here than in most countries
The Chinese have an intense love TOT
pictures and artistic ornameutaton sueh
as flowers and figures on hand mirrors
wash basins. pitchers. etc Those dtsit-
ing to manufacture for the Chinese trace
sh0uId make a careful study of this tralI
/ OF their character. as In most things u
will materially improve the sale 81 thelr
goods Articles that are TO be sold IN
packages should always be ornamented 10
suit the Chinese taste
The strength Of the Chinese regard FOR
ornaments and pictures Of cheap nature
will be appreciated by observing the sale
upon the streets Of every Chinese city or
pictures and posters. such as are spread
broadcast all over the United States free
while tho trade in some of the things
mentioned I'm this list is quite limited. IN
others il is very extensive for instance
the sale Of matches amounts 10 about
: 250Gg1 haikwan taels Gl.61eC'D annual
IN. Other goods sell as follows annually;
Soap. 1914 900. umbrellas S2SS.o39; mirrors,
81. COO candles S252,O0o; clocks, S2gS5}J'
handkerchlefs. $4,000. towels. Sl95i'o'
watches. $3.50; needles. $4,000. flour, 81
{ 1 go 600 glassware. SIS65U5; analine dyes.
I s.. 262 leo. nails. S2Z3 900. old iron, horse
81 | shoes etc. S6l6,Oa.
There is a constant Increase in the va
| riety Of imports into China, and one OF
I the causes Of success In French trade, ana
I still more in German trade, is the atten-
ton given to the desires and wants OF
{ the Chinese in regard 20 small lines OF
no n-Frsl ~ q D
- / and packages. The number OF Germans
To- | I'm China who are establishing themselves
y in business is increasing very tas'.
= : '-One of the most serious mistakes maze
by United States manufacturers Is tnat
> they too readily trust their business 90
e the hands Of foreigners, many Of whom
o. have never been in our country and care
, nothing about il beyond the special me
ID Of goods they handle II Is perfectly nal
r. ural for them, when "a chance lot lFalt
= in any other line comes before lhenl' 20
Z introduce the goods FROM their own coun-
: 1 try. If the American goods now solo IN
China were handled entirely by American
8 | firms. I am convinced that the SAFE
b Z would be increased > per cent
i, ! One Of the peculiar features Or ms
q, trade IN China IS the great gaahllly o.
1 old iron tmpOrted-plates, tuoes. "dBDl
e / tires. hOrseshoes- railway spikes wire
rope hoops. and general scrap iron I'M!
| is worked over. welded together. ana pu
10 10 various uses IN the small blacksmith
= I shops throughout the country II Mus
e. trates the intense economy OF the peoph
!
r Il would emphasize the value or care
= full study Of Chinese ideas and prejudice
~ in matters Of advertising; for instan 2, II
~ condensed milk. The Chinese have n
,s ides that milk revives the youthful pow
o.. ers and that 10 has special virtue as win
ter food for old people Pictures an
10 characters illustrating this idea. as We
he as the value OF II Tor BABY 1000 W"
re 4 wi bout doubt Increase the sale
Proper advertising is Of immense Valu
in China. for fads and prejudices are NOR
.fsf0r her
~ 1T is an easy matter TO send 70 'h-h
ID | an article that viii not be used Tor li
be | stance, spoons made according 70 me Loi
"a oigu model are disllked. while those mao
- / after tine Chinese form are lncreaslh
ST ...-bS counrrv is being flooded Wit
ct | frauds and limitations. for instance, q
r ! American brand Of Eagle milk has grow
10 be- very popular with the ChlueSe. IN
/ limitations of IL are put upon tht NJ ~
ct from Japan and Holland. ana even SlIstlla
De- I hal is manufacturing an Imitation oi
,5 ! has the exact eagle Of the Eagle bran
~, on the can. bps IS printed BuZzard Dran'
The Chinese who cannot read are caUsi
&c by the figure Of the eagle
C. Another case was discovered Wntre
L. can Of fruit was marked small 1llllpi =! u
- ! Bartlett pears. The can c0nla.heu U
il rhtsp hard inferior pear OF CHINA, ar
.e- examination revealed the fact in3J u
1T. Z imitation was put up IN ShauSiat. !
ne avoid such limitations. every brand Shpu
have Chinese characters on the iaH-is, at
fbess labels should be properly record'
and protected at the United states col
| sulate. ..
sHongkong and Canton are putting
fr,llts vegetables fish. birds etc, IN III
~, for the Chinese trade, and l9ese goo
the - sacrfriug an extended market. a
apps Therefore inclined 10 the opinion tnat the
let are possibilities for considerable trade
for -. rrear line of canned fruits. SUI
the as would he counted culls IN the init
Ons Ststes Most Chinese fruits are coar
ieir ana of poor flavor, and are in every "
low -+,--..sl8 by the culls Of IN. Pacific Goa
fr-rits Chaapness is the main feature
tbl food supply Of China. as well as
most things consumed by the Chimes
and whatever as imported mere must TIA
! this as its primary virtue