New-York tribune., 1907-01-29
BOYCOTT INEFFECTIVE.
Other Nations Trade lcith China
Loses, Consul General Renorts.

Washington. Jan. 2S-In a special report to the
State Department the trade relations between
the United States and China Consul General
Rodgers, at Shanghai SAYS that the boycott has
had nothing to do with the falling of OF trade In
proof of his assertion he says that trade with other
nations. where no boycott was involved shows a
corresponding shrinkage for a similar period Of
tlme. The subject was deemed TO be Of such I'M
portance that the State Department to-day gave
out the following statement regarding It
James L. Rodgers American Consul General az
.suhH Slans uhH Shna, IN dispatch to the State De-
bss InTn aated december a. says his attention
papers stating that the great falling off in Amer
does not verify his conclusions expressed in a re-
Po.I ! on the trade IN China In 1875. that the boy
cot on American goods had had little or no effect
, MI Rodgers states definitely and positively thar
sy me boycott had nothing whatever to do with the
RIeseHt trade conditions as between China and
america, with the single reservation thai there
American flour entering China through Hong Kong
Inquiry made by the consul general has deveI-
oped these facts: The surplus Of cotton piece
goods which remained after the close Of the year
1915. and which still further Increased by the
ueilVefleS under contracts made in December 1905.
and January. l906. has furnished the supply with
which Shanghai and Northern China merchants
have met the small and diminished demand from
ManchurIa. region constituting the natural mar
ket for American cotton goods. and whers the boy
cctt never existed. When the impediments To for
eign trade in Manchuria owing 10 Japanese war
occupation and other causes connected herewith
J..
IN the early spring Of 1895 II became certain that
there would be great shTinkage IN imports. not
only from America. but from other natOUS To the
commercial situation in Manchuria added that
or all Northern China. and especially the Ydng-tse
valley where the surplus goods of all kinds. i'm
ported principally by spectators, who hoped run
the b!ockade in the north. We're worked of at
prices favorable to tho Chinese. thus overlooking
the country for time when the Chinese through
crop failures and nigh prices, had little money for
Injuries. necessities.
Present day investigation. says the consul gen
eTaL discloses that the trade OF England with
China through Shanghai is in the same proportion
as the American. and such is understood to be the
rule with the other commercial nations. And yet,
IN some things particularly metals and machinery,
America has gained.
AS further instance 20 show the absurdity OF
the statement 70 the bOycOtt's effect trade
Mr.. Rodgers cites the report that the Standard oil
company IN China Will have the largest years
business in It's history Although this conclusion.
he says Is brought about by the high price OF sil
Yer which has obtained thus enabling large gains
In the conversion. Il Is understood that the vOlUme
or business done by the company was greater. yet
American kerosene was the chief object Of attack
during the boycott period.
Mr.. Rodgers states that. under the most favora-
Die conditions from now II VIII take China
many months TO restore normal conditions OF trade
from those OF and subsequent to the war in Man
churia-