The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-17
TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE II, 1902.
.WAITINGORlENIAL TRADE
IT is RIPE FOR UNITED STATES
But Customers Must he Catered to-
s Original Packages Too
Large Usually.

hSpecial to The Journal.
Tacoma, Wash, June 17.-There has
just arrived from China traveller who
can give the Minneapolis millers and
others valuable pointers about securing
trade in the orient.
Americana fail to recognize the trade
situation in the orient, and are allowing
their competitors to outstrip them in Sc
curing the rich prizes which are there
for the asking said Leon Brock, Of
Shanghai. Mr.. Brock IS interested in the
establishment of new industry in China.
He is on his way home after purchasing
| thousands of dollars worth of machin-
cry for the installation of a plant for the
manufacture of certain kinds Of building
material. He is enthusiastic over the
results which Americans might accom-
plish. but blames the people of the United
States for their negligence in graspingl
the reality before them and in allowing
their old world competitors to secure such
strong hold on the eastern markets
Many of the reasons which he advances
for his assertions are new, but all seem
we'll founded. He says also that the kind
ly feeling towards Americans in Siberia
might be the means of upbuilding trade
100 times its present proportions. Said
he: sas
Why should England, for instance, supply
So per cent of the cotton shipped to China?
trade, and why do we not have it? The
truth is this, that if the people Of China did
not insist they would have no American
goods. 1t is the general opinion that China
as whole is exhibited in miniature in the
Chinatown of any western city. but this is
far from the case. Many large and flourish
ing cities exist in the Chinese empire. and
these will take millions and millions of dol
lars worth yes billions Of dollars worth of
foreign goods. To supply market of this
kind the merchants must accommodate them
selves to the desires of their patrons. This
is the reason in a measure why Americans
have not made a greater impression on the
eastern market That is the reason Siberian
oil, which will not burn, Is sold in many times
the quantity in which good American oil is
sold -.....,. $. -
..- Tip to Millers. III
The oil is not put in cans which suit the
Chinese trade The -four we sell is not put in
packages convenient. and this is the fault
| throughout. Yet the Americans say: Here is
our flour, and here is our OIL Take 1T as we
give 1t to you or leave It,. The size Of the
package suits and why not you?"
In this we are making grave mistake.
Tho principal method Of communication with
| the interior districts is by housetoats poled
up the small streams. On these boats are
loaded goods for the interior and they are
sold from the boat at every hamlet and viii
ldSS ne NHlueSe COIlSlueT themselves wealthy
people, but compared with us, of course, they
are not. The Chinese laborer comes down
to the boat and wants say 2 cents worth of
oil. Which will he take, the Russian product
| which is of the lowest grade imaginable, but
| OF which he can buy 2-cent can, aor the
| American oil Of excellent Quality and in a.
| five gallon tin, the price Of which would rep
| resent several weeks work on the part Of the
| laborer? He has no choice. 's..- 80 $
1t is the same way with -four Practically
| the only sacks Of this commodity shipped are
the ffty-pound Any variation in this is an
| increase rather than diminution. The illus
| trations cover practically all the goods shipped
| to the orient from America s-s'E.s
German and English Methods. u
| Now the Germans and even the English viii!
| do what we Will not condescend to do. If the
| Chinese want n-pound or a fve-pound
sack Of -four they will supply It rather than
| lose the trade. Through this method the Ger
mans particularly have established themselves
| in China in spite Of the fact that their goods
| are Of an inferior quality. In China per
haps there are 400, 900 900 people, all dressed E
cotton garments. When these people buy
goods they do not want bolts of 1000 yards
they want small parcels of ten yards But
| American cotton goods are shipped solely In
the large bolts, and Of the raw cotton in 240-
pound bales. Our fault here is very easy to
| be seen. -, - .a' - = ~
| Siberians Like America. !.
| Mr.. Brock says the siberians remen-
Der and appreciate to this day the favor
plying food years ago during the great
famine. The grain, canned goods and
other supplies donated by the United
States government, individuals and COM