The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-07-17
.CHINA'S
O""~ NEEDS
Louis G. Clarke Tells of the
Requirements of the ORR
ent.
Portland Business Man Who
Has Just Returned From
the Far East.

According TO Louis O.. Clarke, Of the
firm Of Woodward, Clarke & Co., Of Port
land, who returned from four months
trip through China and Japan, th he trade
Of the Orinental cor Dtries, and more es'
pecally ef China, must be developed by
Americans, if they would have it. In
other words, the impression Of many
that the trade is there by going for IL, is
an erroneous one.
Mr.. Clarke made the trip in the inter.
est Of business as we'll as pleasure, and
took advantage o! the opportunity, as
far az possible. to examine into the trade
conditions Of China and Japan. lie says
there is a large country which must be
developed before any large amount Of
the trade conditions and other matters
which will prove Of interest to the people
of Portland, as we'll as along the Pacific
Coast, he said:
"The establishment Of the Portland
Asiatic steamship line meaLs more TO
Portland than the casual observer would
think. While onr shipping interest TO
the Orient has been large, il was mainly
of tramp nature, which has not served
10 advertise Portland in the Far East to
any extent. The business of the Orient
will come 10 us eventually through this
channel.
"China is not, however, in condition
to bring us much trade only as We take
her products. So you can see that in
this do all position wssmust hustle to
obtain the trade. The poverty Of the
country is inconceivable. In the large
cities, some Of the principal streets are
clean anu look we'll, but 90 into the
native quaaters and no tongue could tell
Of the poverty which exists. China is a
country second to none, but the Chinese
still continne TO till their land in the
most primitive fashion. What they
lack s direction. The sooner they are
directed, the sooner will the county be
developed. When you go into Chinese
city proper, the filth is appalling. They
must be trained in a different channel,
il they are TO make the most out Of their
country. A change OF government is
what they require. With the proper
change, they might govern themselves.
"The Chinese could use our manu-.
iactured products, but not at once, ~
they are too poor. There are many
millions Of peoplen these two countries,
aud il is with them, and not with the
foreigners, that we must look for
our future trade. There 10 a miscon
ception on the part Of many people in
the United States as TO what can be
done, The people are so poor that they
cannot send outside their own local
markets for anything, not even provis-
ions. They might use our dried prunes,
but only an inferior quality, as they can
not afford to pay for the best prunes and
other dried fruits.
"The war In china does not seem to
have harmed the country to any great
eXtent, 20 far as could see. OF all out.
side countries the Americans are the
most welcomed. As to the part we took
in the war. they evidently realize that
the part we played was essential and
that we acted in good faith. Especially
in Japan, although the natives are not
fond OF foreigners, the people of this
country are welcomed
81 find the better class of the Chinese
are bright and make good merchants.
visited some large drug stores, and in
Shanghai they have store in which
there is Chinese prescription depart.
ment, The majority of the Chinese own
their own stores, OF place of business,
and are doing we'll. The country has a
great future, when il shall be directed. 4"
Mr.. Clark also stopped al Manila, where
he says the trade conditions are good.
lie returned from theOrient 10y the Nip.
pom Maru to San Francisco, and then
came North, lie is delighted with his
| trip and Is looking we'll although some
IasaN Il