The sun., 1919-07-02

ders from Chinese Importers II Is rec
ognized that there are few important
commodities for which n demand cannot
be created IN China with time and proper
methods. Shanghai. for instance, is
cosmopolitan city with a fair foreign
population and constitutes market for
most of the articles ordinarily sold In
a large American city.
In shanghai and in the forty seven
other treaty ports It Is possible for
American companies to conduct busl-
ness under their State charters, regis
terins at the American Consulate for
the district In which they are too
operate.
AS to the best opportunities for sell
ing American products In China, In
staple manufactures, such as cotton
goods, our market Is mainly limited
to certain of the better grades. In
the case of a few raw materials and
partly manufactured goods the
abundance of our resources gives us
a good share of Chlna's trade under
normal conditions. Among these are
mineral oil products, iron and steel
products and lumber. The most I'm
portant classes, however, consist OF
machinery and speciality lines, which
need only the right kind OF Introduction
work and efficient selling methods. Not
only do they present the best chance
to meet foreign competition but the
volume of business Is perceptibly
growing.
An investment field OF the first
order, China IL eager to welcome
American capital in the development Of
railroads and port works, public utilities
on a smaller scale, mineral resources
and manufacturing enterprises. Natr-
rally the bulk of the purchases ensuing
from these projects will be made from
tho Investing countries. Great Britain 3
wonderful foreign trade was built upon
its Investments abroad and Its large
merca ntile marine. These factors have
gained for Great Britain Its generous
share of the trade of China
Friendly to United states.
Although we have some s,rong COM
petitors in the Chinese market, its size
gives an opportunity to all to dispose
Of their products. The statement was
made at a foreign trade meeting re-
Gently that the United States Is the
only nation that has never made any
effort to exploit China. That Is an
other reason for the friendship existing
between them.
Trading with China presents problems
rot encountered elsewhere in the world
markets To obtain for the American
manufacturer and exporter Information
| that will guide him in entering the Chi.
nese field the Bureau Of Foreign ano
Domestic Commerce has increased III
staff in the Orient. Besides the Amer
| lean commercial attache at Pekin, three
| trade commissioners are now In China
| for the purpose of making special inves
tizations. Opportunities for various line'
have been studied and the reports are
available in printed form. Ut is nov
planned to nave more permanent repre-
sentatives Of the bureau in China, Il
take care of particular problems o
| American firms as they arise and watcl
more closely the openings for American
goods as they develop. The files OF thu
Far Eastern division Of the bureau a
] Wa shington contain valuable fund o
! Information to which any American
manufacturer may readily gain access
lie would do well to communicate will
| this 4 vision first and obtain further de
tails II ON the men in the field.