Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-05-04
TRADE BOOM IN FAR EAST
IS Seen BY jim HILL
Banks VIII Be Established and
Assistance Given to the
Exporters.
NORTHWEST IS NOW READY
ilans Are Undc- Way to Exchange
Cotton for Tt $ and Spices From
China and any Other Eastern
Lands.

NE" YORK. May 3.-Jamcs j. Hill
possessed facilities and financial
strength which were necessary IL he
intended to build up very large in
ternational trade with the Far East,
especially with China
lie looked for large markets in China
Tor American products. particularly
lumber. wheat and cotton goods. and
lie felt tain that the United States
would accept silks. tea and other COM
modities produced in China In sufficient
amounts to balance our exports to
that country.
Therefore. he began to establish in
ternational trade relations with the
Far East from our Pacific Coast, be-
ieving that trade in time would cx-
coed the exports from California
lie had demonstrated the practical
t o,ai,y OF his plan when the govern
commission. refused to permit him to
grant special railroad rates. which
we're necessary II this commerce were
rinn Was Original.
From one point OF view Mr. Hills
.orecast OF the possibilities of foreign
commerce with the Far East was the
nrst plan OF that kind ever advocated
TIC expected. By means of his railrods
70 obtain commodities in great
amounts. especially cotton In the Mis-
aiss,ppi Vale. and from the South
ported TO China and Japan
IN return he saw his way clear. he
,honSht TO bring the commodities of
ASIA and Japan across the Pacific to
ne Ear West. the Middle West and
me Mississippi.
Tho Interstate Commerce Commits
sion may have been JUSTIFIED under the
law In restraining Mr.. Hill from grant
ing tho special rates. but that ruling
upon a large scale.
weeks ago the report was circula ted
Of large financial interests in the Mis-
s!sEtppi VALLEY which. IL carried out
would establish a strong banking in
sti,ution. established for the purpose
Oh STIMULATING, export trade. which
wou!d De oased upon products OF the
Mississippi Valley.
Banks to lie Estnbiished.
This organization seems now to have
passed beyond the point Of preliminary
CONSIDERATION. The bank is 20 be es-
tab!ished. It's capital may be as high
az s:i.00o.0eo.
IL Is not probable that the govern
ment at Washington. through any OF it's
bureaus. VIII step In and lay a heavy
hand upon the proposition such as was
done when Mr.. Hi undertook TO es,ab-
!ish vast Pacific commerce.
IL has been reported that not only
the AGRICULTURAL. but the Industrial in
tercsts OF the Northwest are preparing
to establish a great foreign trade.
The Northwest is convinced that It's
commodities may obtain excellent for
cign markets. That idea seems to
have developed spontaneously through
OUT that region. IL may be that 1t be-
came known that banks OF the Mis-
siss'ppi Valley were preparing TO es,ab-
fish powerful institution with view
TO stimulating trade.
East In hack sliding.
In the East there seems to be small
comprehension OF the energy and per-
sis,ence with which men from New
Orleans as far north as ST. Paul are
Undertaking TO meet the wonderful
opportunities which have opened up
TO them. liarbor facilities arc being
perfected upon very large scale at
New Orleans.
Commerce which will originate or
terminate in the Mississippi Valley
ultimately viii find that the harbors OF
the Pacific coast furnish excellent IA
cilities whereby American vessels oan
transport produce from the Mississ ippi
Valley and the West, and return laden
cd with comm oditics which have been
obtained in the Far East.
This new movement. which is repre-
scented by the Mississippi Valley AS
ISOLATION. an association which is to
become one OF the most influential in
obtaining and maintaining commerce.
both domestic and foreign. does not
mean competition with the seaports.
even with the banks Of the Atlantic
coast.