The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-11-15

vastly benefit therefrom. They will
eventually see that, while foreign goods
are being forced through consuming
channels, the exploitation of their
varied resources for expectation would
rapidly enrich her exchequer.
Statistics of any sort are hard to OBJ
tain in China, and in so far as trade is
concerned, it is impossible to estimate
the extent, unless it be through the
customs reports, which are incomplete
from the point of consumption.
The principal trade of China is that
interchangeable between the eighteen
provinces and is naturally of more i'm
portance to China than is that of the
foreign importations. The commodities
of one province are highly acceptable
to the people of another, and the sys-
TEN is highly reciprocal. Certain rich
merchants and guilds engage in tue
wholesale trade, and even certain of
the old families are engaged on the
business of speeialties, of domestic i'm
portation. The foreign trade of China
is, of course, increasing rapidly, and
while much of it is passing into new
hands. there is an apparent struggle
\
of influence by some of the European
nations, and the competition between
these countries on the one hand and
Japan on the other, promises to grow
in Importance from year to year.
Mistake Of Americans.
1t is rarely that an American repre-
senting foreign firm comes to China,
or at least ventures away from .Shang-
hal in the interest of his principal, but
should the unexpected happen, which
is occasional, they have failed to call
at the consulate either to register or
to make inquiries concerning the pos
sibilities of the market with reference
to their goods.
This apparent indifference may be due
to the inherent confidence of the Amer
lean commercial pathfinder in his abil-
ity to work out his commercial success,
or to the belief that the consul is either
ignorant of existing conditions com
mereially and industrially, or that he
is too busy to give him the attention
he requires. 1t matters not how well
fortified a salesman may be in his own
country, either as to the nature or the
quality of his goods and their partieu-
lar adaptation for this market, or his
peculiar fitness to demonstrate their
merits intelligently. his introduction to
the China trade win force the convic-
ton that the prevailing competition has
created new demands for him to meet
before he can entertain the hOp3 Of
placing an order.
National prejudices or those of long
standing may have to be removed; local
characteristics and tastes as TO quality,
eolors. etc. may have to be consulted;
certain trade concessions may have to
be made, and innumerabie other ele-
ments might enter into the probability
of success; elements and characteristics
better known to the consul than TO
one visiting within his jurisdiction for
the first time; besides. an introduction
from d consular officer IN China carries
with il a token of confidence, and IS
construed bv the Chinese who hold con-
sular officers in such high esteem, as
a recommendation. In any event, what
ever knowledge Of business conditions
the consul may impaFt concerning
his Jurisdiction. win be of great aid
to the harbinger Of America Is CONNER
cial and industrial supremacy. Sales
men of other nations do not overlook
this important step, and the measure
Of success they seem to enjoy woald
indicate that the information received
j. Of material benefit to them.
What foreign consuls can do Amer
lean officers can do, and / believe more
effectively. His advice, valuable by
reason Of his local experience and am
bition to introduce his home manufac
tured articles into his district, viii con
vince the person interested, that the
same time is money" principle that
characterizes the energetic and hust-
ling commercial advance man at home,
would be interpreted abroad as being