Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1903-05-01
Report of Consul Miller Regard
ing Our Commercial Inter
ests in That Country.
HOW BEST TO MAINTAIN THEM
Russia Tries to Monopolize Business.
Unless Condition is Changed Our
Trade Will Be Contracted and
Driven Out.

Washington, May How the com
mercial interests of the United States
in Manchuria may be safeguarded
against future international compiled.
tons and our trade in that country
maintained and increased is told in q
report received at the state depart
ment from United States Consul Mil
Ter, at New Chwang. He says Russia,
/ in the end, will practically dominate
the commercial and industrial affairs
! of Manchuria unless other countries
have in every way equal facilities.
American trade in Manchuria today
consists principally of cotton goods,
kerosene and flour, and is largely in
| excess of that of any other country.
1t is estimated that our exports to
Manchuria will equal 100000 taels,
or 35 per cent of all foreign imports.
In order that this commercial SUI
premacy may be maintained Consul
Miller has made the following recon-
| nendations to the department:
First, Establishment by American
manufacturers of an export agent in
Manchuria, who shall sell directly to
the native firms instead of to Shang-
hal and Hong Kong.
Second, That the Washington gov.
eminent urge the opening of all Man
ehuria to the trade of the world, "as
free to us as to Russia or any other
country"
Third, That a new consul general
be added to the American consular
service, its head to be known as the
United States consul general for Man
churia.
"If these things are not DONE" Mr..
Miller continues, 1T is very clear 70
my mind that the entire mining In
terests of Manchuria, together with
whatever trade is desired by Russian
merchants. will be entirely in their
hands. Russian merchants are al
ready strong in the kerosene trade
and are laying plans to capture the
flour and cotton goods trade. Russia
has a commissioner of the rank of
consul general in Manchuria, having
great influence with the present Chi
nese officials Russian banks are
doing business in all the principalities
! and these banks have commercial
branches buying and selling merchan-
disc Russian subjects are building
-four mills, factories, meat packing
plants and opening mines throughout
Manchuria, while some of our citizens
complain that they are not permitted
the same privileges. The commercial
department of the Russo Chinese
bank is doing business in all the in
terror cities of Manchuria, while our
citizens are prohibited on account OF
our treaty with China, and unless this
condition is altered our trade, instead
of expanding as the natural conditions
would justify, will be contracted and
driven out by Russian goods 1t is
the manifest purpose of some Rus
sian manufacturers to initiate Ameri-
can-made goods and brands"
The consul is of opinion that Man
churia, Mongolia and Siberia are des-
tined soon 10 become enormous grain
growing districts.
Foreign imports into Mapchuria
have increased during the past 10
years at a rate ranging from 100 to
500 per cent reaching the high water
mark in the year just passed. Free
expectation of all products for the flu
ture, Mr.. Miller says, would increase
trade development for years to come
as greatly rs in the past decade, and
If, in addition, Manehuria could be
made free TO commerce and industry
OF all people and their mines opened.
there would be, he predicts, a growth
OF prosperity astonishing to China and
the world.