Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-24
UNITED STATES
COMMERCE WITH
CHINA NORMAL
Many Obstacles Placed in the
way Of Shipping American.
ProductS} Impossible to Sc
cure Adequate Tonnage,
tA..ecIatsd Pres. corre.pondenes.,

| tAssOciafed Irese correspondence
| Shanghai. Jan. 25.---ln its report at
the recent annual meeting of the
American Association of China the
executive committee of that organiza-
ton commented unfavorablys on Amer
lean trade conditions in China for the
lyear 1915.
The report says
The year has not been favorable
for the importation Of American cot
ion goods. A low exchange rate and
advancing freight rates on one hand,
and the absence of normal demand at
this end account for the unfortunate
state of affairs.
There was an improvement in the
demand for cotton goods in the spring,
but it melted away in consequence of
the strained conditions which the de-
mands' by Japan brought about BY
the time this scare had in measure
subsidized we had the monarchy move
ment to disturb again the confidence
Iof the native banks and merchants
The banks have refused to issue the
credits needed to facilitate trade with
interior points, for practically the
whole year, and the business that has
been done was on a cash basis and
thus therefore limited to, hand-to-
mouth transactions.
Formerly the Pacific coast sent
the advance in the price Of wheat and
the scarcity Of tonnage make it impos-
sible to compete with the native mills
at present
"Sundry imports from America are
becoming more diversified and the
interruption of shipments from Eu-
rope has led to increased business in
our goods. Chemicals and food prod
ucts. metals machinery and electrical
supplies may be mentioned among the
lines that have been in special de-
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-
lshed to run between San Francisco
and the far east but at the moment
definite Information on the subject is
wanting.
Tonnage Il Scarce.
The absence of American ships has,
during this year, been u source OF
such Inconvenience and loss to Amer
lean merchants that we can only hope
ii 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
being able to secure tonnage, as the
shipping companies of other national
tiles have discriminate i'm favor of
their own people. II has not been n
matter of first come first served, but
whose nationality was that
of the ships
This Is Il matter which this ASSOC
citation has repeatedly brought to the !
attention of our authorities and il is |
to be hoped that the conditions which |
the war in Europe has so emphatcally |
brought to the attention of our peo-
pie at home-eonditions which direct |
~ affect our trade, even to the extent !
Of taking it out of our hands and pre- !,
senting II to our competitors--will has !
ten the day when we shall again see !
our ships in these ports. and our mcr- |
chants saved the humiliations Of 1915. !
American Shipping IIampcred.
while our government sends com /
missions and special agents to report /
on trade conditions for the purpose Of I
our foreign trade, it is Il |
subject of wonderment that obstacles I
continue to hamper American ship /
ping. Instances can be given where /
american merchants have had to can
eel contracts and to see their business i
aken out Of their hands by COMPETE
ors who could ship in the steamers of I
heir country which have been closed |
o others, Notwithstanding the pub
lefty that has been given TO this state /
If affairs, it would appear that even
more is wanted to awaken the people
It home to the folly of seeking foreign
rade while ignoring the requirements
necessary to make 1t successful
Dr. A. S. Ransom was elected presi-
lent of the association, succeeding W.
\ Reed. Other officers named We're:
4. j. Raven. vice president; DR.. w. ,
T. Findlcy. secretary, and Mr.. J. w.
Gallagher treasurer.