Grand Forks daily herald., 1916-02-23
TRADE QUESTION
IS NOT LIKED
Committee Comments I'm
favorably on ',rnerican
Trade in ( :1a.

Shanghai, Feb. 23.-In it's report at
the recent annual meeting of the
American association Of China the
executive committee Of that organiza-
ton commented unfavorably on Amer
lean trade conditions in China for the
year 1916. The report says:
1.-THE year has not been favorable
for the importation Of American cot
ton goods A low exchange rate and
advancing freight rates on one hand,
and the absence of norrhal demand Mt
this end account for the unfortunate
state of affairs.
Demands Improved.
There was an improvement in tho
demand for cotton goods in the spring
but 1t melted away in consequence of
the strained conditions which the de
mands' by Japan brought about. BY
the time this scare had in q measure
subsided we had the monarchy move
ment to disturb again the confidence
Of the native banks and merchants
credits needed to facilitate trade with
interior points, for practically the
whole year, and the business that has
been done has been on a cash basis
and thus therefore limited to hand-to-
mouth transactions.
Formerly the Pacific coast sent
large shipments of fiour to China. but
the advance in the price of wheat and
the scarcity of tonnage make 1t i'm
possible to compete with the native
mills at present.
"Sundry imports from America are
becoming more diversified and the in
terruption Of shipments from Europe
has led to increased business in our
goods. Chemicals and food products,
metals, machinery and electrical sup
plies may be mentioned among the
in to1
mand.
During the year the Pacific Mail
Steamship company discontinued their
oriental service and closed their offices
in the east. The steamers taken from
this trade have been transferred to
the Atlantic 1t Is reported that one
or more American lines will be estab-
lished to run between San Francisco
and the far east. but at the moment
definite information on the subject Is
wanting.
THE absence Of American ships has
during this year, been Il source Of in
convenience and loss to American
merchants that we can only hope it
will press home the fact of the heavy
handicap to American trade caused by
our being without ships that fly our
flag. Our merchants in many cases
have not been able to carry out their
engagements by reason of not having
been able to secure tonnage, as the
shipping companies Of other nation
alities have Disseminated in favor of
their own people. 1t has not been
matter Of first come first served. but
first and last the space has gone to
merchants whose nationality was that
OF the ships.
This is matter which this asso-
citation has repeatedly brought to the
attention Of our authorities and it is
to be hoped that the conditions which
the war in Europe has so emphatically
at home-conditions which directly
effect our trade. even to the extent Of
taking 1t out Of our hands and pre-
senting 1t to our competitors-will
hasten the day when we shall again
see our ships in these ports. and our
merchants saved the humiliations Of
1915.
while our government sends COM
issions and special agents to report
~ trade conditions for the purpose of
stimulating our foreign trade, it is a
subject of wonderment that obstacles
continue to hamper American ship
ping. Instances can be given where
American merchants have had to can
Gel contracts and to see their business
taken out Of their hands by competi-
tors who could ship in the steamers
OF their country which have been clos
ed to others Notwithstanding the
publicity that has been given to this
state of affairs. it would appear that
even more is wanted to awaken the
people at home to the folly Of seek
ing foreign trade while ignoring the
requirements necessary to make it
successful"
DR.. A. 8. Ransom was elected presi-
dent of the association succeeding W.
A. Reed. Other officers named were:
F, ]. Raven. vice president; DR.. w. r.
Findley. secretary, and J. w. Gallag-
her. treasurer.