The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-05-01
AMERICA SHOULDl
WATCH RUSSIANS
Interests VIII Suffer Unless
ManChuria is Opened
CONSUL MILLER REPORTS
He Says Russian Merchants Are Enjoy
ing More Privileges Than Others
and Are Gradually Getting
Upper Hand There.
CONSUL MILLER REPORTS

Washington, April 3O.-How the COM
mercial interests of the United States in
Manchuria may be safeguarded against
future international complications and
our trade In that country maintained and
increased, is told in report received to-
day at the state department from Unit
ed States Consul Miller at New Chwang
He says Russia In the end will practical
ly dominate the commercial and indus
trial affairs of Manchuria unless Other
countries have in every way equal facil-
tiles. American trade in Manchuria to-
day consists principally of cotton goods,
kerosene and flour, and is largely in ex-
cess of that of any other country. 1t Isl
estimated that our exports to Manchu1
ria will equal eight million taels or IS per-
cent of all foreign Imports In order
that this commercial supremacy may BIZ
maintained, Consul Miller has made thu
following recommendation to the depart
ment,
Consul's Recommendation.
1. Establishment by American manufas
turers of an export agent in ManchuriA
who shall sell directly to the native
firms instead of to Shanghai and Hong
Kong.
2. That the Washington government
urge the opening of all Manchuria to the
trade of the world "as free to us as to
Russia, or any other country
3. That new consul general be added
to the American consular SERVICES its
head to be known as the United StBke~
consul general for ManchuriS.
III these things are rco DONE" Mr..
Miller continues, ut IL very clear to my
mind that the entire mining interests of
Manchuria, together with whatever trade
is desired by Russian merchants, will be
entirely in their hands. Russian mer-
chants are already strong In the kero-
sene trade and are laying plans to cap
ture the flour and cotton goods trade.
Russia has a commissioner of the rank
of a consul general In Manchuria having
great influence with the present Chinese
officials. Russian banks doing busi-
ness in all the principal cities, and these
banks have a commercial branch buying
and selling merchandise.
Russians Are Very Industrious.
Russian subjects are building flour
mills, factories, meat-packing plants and
opening mines throughout Manchuria,
while some of our citizens complain that
they are not permitted the same priv
ileges. The commercial department OF
the Russo Chinese bank Is doing business
in all the interior cities of Manchuria,
while our citizens are prohibited on ac-
count of our treaty with China; and UNI
less this condition is altered our trade.
instead of expanding, as the natural
conditions would Justify, Will be con-
tracted and driven out by Russian goods.
1t is the manifest purpose of some Rus
sian manufacturers to Initiate American
made goods and brands"
The consul is of the opinion that Man
churia, Mongolia and Siberia are des-
tined soon to become enormous grain
growing districts.
Foreign imports N"v~
increased during tn
rate ranging from
reaching the high
year just passed
all products for
says, would increa
for years to come.
past decade, and
churia could be
and industry of
mines opened there would be. he. pre-
diets. a growth of prosperity astonishing