The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-10-30
Cotton Goods In Manchuria.


consul r.. s. Greene, OF Harbin.
finds that there is much interest in
the status of the cotton goods trade
of Manchuria. He says: 1.-THE neces-
sity Of taking measures not only to
extend, but even to preserve the ex.
listing market for American cotton
goods in China should be brought
clearly to the attention Of American
manufacturers. The situation in Man
churia requires special notice, where
the Japanese are energetically intro
ducing their sheetings, shirtings, and
drills. The leading mills have COM
bined for this purpose and have ap-
pointed as agents the Mitsui Bussan
Kaisha. which has offices in all the
leading cities Of Manchuria, and con-
ducts an exclusive business in both
exports and imports. The cotton
goods are shipped on consignment di-
rect to the branches of this company
in the principal market towns, and
special banking arrangements have
been made. so that the heavy loss by
exchange ordinarily incurred in maxi
ing payments OF remittances in Man
churia is reduced to minimum.
while the money necessary to finance
the business Is advanced at unusually
low rates.
Thus the Chinese merchant in the
interior who wishes to buy few
bales OF sheetings finds the Japanese
article for sale in his own city at a
price which seems to him very rea-
sonable. He can examine the gods
and take delivery Immediately If he
wishes. or he can order from sample
for future delivery. On the other
hand, If he prefers American goods.
he will probably have to order them
from Newchwang. On account Of the
chaotic condition Of the currency in
Manchuria. he has to pay not only
the Newchwang merchants commits
sion, but also a considerable premium
on his remittance. But the New
chwang merchant himself has bought
the goods, not from the manufactur-
er, but from an importer in Shang-
hal, whose expenses and commission
are added to the cost Of the cloth. A
very heavy loss by exchange between
Shanghai and Newchwang has also
to be included Consequently, by the
time the goods have reached the trad
er in the interior their prices seem
unreasonably high. compared with the
Japanese goods, even considering
their superior quality.
1.-THE remedy is simply for Ameri-
can manufacturers to follow the ex-
ample of the Japanese and go after
the business themselves. To speak
only Of the Manchurian market, the
manufacturers of several of the most
popular chops should combine to
send we'll qualified agent, acouaint
ed with Chinese business, to reside.
says. at Kuangchengtzu, the principal
cotton-goods emporium of the three
eastern provinces. From there he
could go by rail in "a hours or less to
Newchwang, Dalny, Mukden, Lao
yang, Hsinmintun, or Kirin, and An
tung, Tstsihar and intermediate
points would be within reach. AT
kuangchengtzu a small stock of the
goods most in demand should be kept
under the immediate supervision of
the agent, and arrangements could be
made with reliable firm in Dalny
to act as warehouse agents to receive
shipments and forward them as re-
quired to various points in the in
terror. BY travelling from town to
town with a good compradore the
agent could get and keep in touch
with the leading merchants in each
place. Once the business is we'll start
ed an effort should be made to keep
prices as stable as possible, even at
the cost Of some loss by fluctuations
OF exchange. With reasonable care
losses and gains by exchange can be
made to balance.
Unless the manufacturers get af-
ter the business themselves very soon
the Japanese goods will be so strong
ly intrenched that 1t will be difficult
to supplant them. At present Amer
lean goods are we'll and favorably
EN- of this start. There can be no