The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-03-31
CHINA'S BUSINESS CHANCES
EXPLAINED BY u. S. CONSUL
Warns Young Men of This Country Not to Go to Far
East in Search OF PoStions-Social Environ
ment Chief Drawback

Wilbur T. Gracey. United States con
sui at Tsingtau. China. has forwarded
TO the Department Of Commerce and
Labor a letter, in which he warns
young men in America not TO go to
China TO look for work. There are few
opportunities in the Far East. he writes,
and the only safe way TO secure employ
ment there Is to get a contract Nstth some
reliable firm at a price that VIZ in
sure an income as large as would be
necessary to live in New York.
Mr.. Gracey says;
''China may be a land OF opportunity
to the business man with money, but
any young man who is willing to work
viii find better opportunities every day
in the large american cities Many
young men leave their homes in the
United States, snip as stowaways. work
their passage 10 China, or spend their
last few dollars Tor tickets, in the hope
Of stepping into good positions on their
arrival in the Far East. and are sur
prised TO find that all positions are
filed.
Social Distinction.
If a young man lands from America
in Shanghai unknown, it moy be safely
said that it is impossible for hum to Sc
cure even a temporary position. After
floating about the city for weekE or
months he may possibly be taken on
as a clerk in a store. or by the nHperi1l
customs of China on what is knowl az
the outdoor STAFF These men c>rre-
spond to the customs inspectors In
America Ohey examine all the cargo
coming and going), but are given diff
ferent social position from that Of such
a Government employee in the United
States. They are not allowed 10 be
come members Of the social, rowing,
or other clubs. nor do they
associate with the young business men
Of the port
Practically every position in the Far
East is already filed, or II there is a
vacancy it viii be filled by some young
man brought out by the firm directly
from home. The lower positions in
business firms. such as office boys. care
who can be obtained at salaries that
would not be sufficient 10 keep an
American boy in clothes. They arc good
accountants. can be depended upon 10
NIL clerical positions in a competent
and are silent assistants, aware
OF their position merely as assistants.
At home a young man can enter a firm
as office hoy. and If he has ability may
rise 70 the position Of manager uT
owner Of the business, losing no posi-
ton In society from the fact tha, he
began al the bottom.
In China II a man begins in the out
door stan' Of the customs he may rise
to the head Of the outdoor staff but
from the outdoor 70 indoor service. so
that II is impossible for him to be pro-
NOTED above a certain grade.
Should Have Position.
There Is only one condition on which
any young man should come to China
and that is when he has an assured
position or a contract with a firm. 1t
is not sufficient that a friend in
China has written that he can give him
a position, OF secure a position for him.
II must be understood what the posi-
ton really is, what would be the social
OF one occupying it-that is
whether he would be looked down upon
by other men in businessman how the
compensation is TO be paid. Further
more. IL Is of the utmost importance
that, when an assured position IS found,
the young man has sufficient ph ysical
ability 10 Withstand the peculiarly try
ing climatic conditions of the Far East.
AT the present time money goes no
further in China than in any other part
o. the world, the days Of cheap living in
the Orient have passed, and when a man
Is offered a salary Of 500 a month he
should find out II the 500 is in American
dollars or in the varying silver currency
Of China. II the salary is paid in
American money he viii find that, owing
10 the eXigencies of exchange. in one
month 500 gold Will bring about ESQ
In local China dollars, while a year
later. at a different rate Of exchange. it
may equal $3.50.
when at the latte rate, however.
It's purchasing power viii be little bet
ter than the $3.50 Of a year before, and
when the 800 gold again degenerates
10 $50 local currency. aS-it is liable TO
DO, he finds that the price of every
hing has advanced and the purchasing
power Of his money has dropped to its
original status. In other words, he is
losing $50 a month.
Suggestive Pointers.
Exchange is the bugbear Of the nan
Of limited means in China. and when
I man Is told that he will receive a
certain salary In China he should in
stitute some inquiries along the fol-
owing lines:
First, il should be learned II the
prospective employer is a man attached
% q responsible firm. This can be dis