The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1905-09-22
OPEN DOOR IN CHINA.
POLICY is ASSURED As RESULT
OF RUSSL4N-L4PANESE WAR.
Statistics of the Year Indicate the
Enormous Market Opened for
American Goods in Manchuria.

!
With the close Of the Russo-Japanes,
war the "open door" in Manchuria was
assured for all time Russia had TOLD
/ the world that she would see that the
| trade Of Manchuria would be kept free
I TO all nations alike, and that in the
event of her victory the United States
need never fear trade discrimination
there. But while Russia has a tradi,
tional friendship for this country the
policies of the nation do not inspire
confidence that there will be no dis
elimination against our goods under
any circumstances.
But with the victories of war de-
clared in favor of Japan and with the
present status of Manchuria fixed for
all time in favor of Chinese sovereign
ty, the world is assured that there will
be an open door there for the trade of
all nations. To the United States, and
especially for the States of the South,
there should be q feeling of congratu-
lation over this aspect of the situation,
and the fruition of Secretary Hays
most cherished hopes.
Great Increase in Trade.
The trade of the United States with
China has been going forward with
bounding strides in recent years. The
larger part of that trade is with Man
churia, which constitutes about one
tenth of Chinese territory and is locat-
ed along her northern boundary line
About half of that trade is in cotton
and the consumption of coarse cotton
goods manufactured chiefly in the
South is constantly increasing. The
boycott of Chinese merchants is the
only occurrence that has tended to
hamper that trade. and it is expected
that American tact will, in the neal
future, succeed in lifting the ban that
has been placed on these goods which
the Chinese want and which can be Sc
cured by them from this country
cheaper than from anywhere else.
During July the United States sold
to China goods worth about four mil
lions of dollars. During that same
month of the previous year the sales
amounted to less than half of that value.
During the seven months ending last
July we sold to China over thirty
seven millions worth of goods, which
was about four times the amount of
our exports there during the same
period of the previous year. Those fig
ures indicate the rapidity of the trade
advances that have been made by
American manufacturers in China.
Like American Goods.
The people of Manchuria, living in
cool climate, prefer the coarse and
strong cotton weave that is turned out
by the mills of the Southern states,
while the inhabitants of the southern
provinces buy the finer fabrics sent
there from England. The American
trade advantages that have been
gained in China have done much to
fire the imagination of the manufac- |
turers of this country, who have long |
been told of the wonderful market that
awaits American products of all kinds
in China, but who have only recently |
had a demonstration of the nature of
hat market.
Not only is there established an
open door" in Manchuria, but the
rade of all China is open to the ma
ions of the world. The duty on goods
China does not exceed five per
,ent ad valorum, except ON opium.
which trade the Empire desires to dis
courage. On many articles the duty is
ess than five per cent. 1t is levied
Wholly for the purpose of raising
evenue.
The Chinese Boycott.
But at the moment when the "open
oor" has been established officially
n Manchuria the merchants them
elves have determined to boycott
american goods in retaliation for the
xclusive policy toward the Chinese
hat has been adopted by the United
Itates and for so long has been en-
Orced. When the managers of the
louisiana Purchase Exposition invited
nina. to send exhibits to the worlds
air they did not dream that that act
Yould result in trade disadvantages
or America. The Chinese responded |,
b the invitation literally. Among
hose who came to attend the fair were !
Many wealthy Chinese merchants and ,,
zen of high standing at their homes.
hey may have heard of our laws from
theirs, but when they came in contact
18th Uncle Sans immigration agents
hey were Inundated by being treated
4 a manner they saw was not used to-
ard men Of any other race. They
naliy went home thoroughly mad.
hey were influential members of the
reat commercial guilds Of China, and
hey stirred up such a feeling of dis
Ike for the United States that it was
OF difficult for them to conduct boy
Dtt against American goods and to ex-
md it to all parts of the Empire.
win Overcome Discrimination.
It is confidently believed in official
Ircles that the diplomacy of the Presi-
ent will be adequate to the emergency
/ this case as ii has been in others
borrower, so long as superior Ameri |
m goods can be furnished at low ]
rices. ii is at the most a question of
me when they will triumph. T. p
)tt is not a matter that the Chinese
overnment can absolutely control. but
Is believed the Government will do [
Iuch to overcome its effects, and that 9
i the near future the trade of the |
nited States with the Chinese Empire /
i'll continue to grow at the same won e
arful rate that has characterig
the past. q