New-York tribune., 1920-11-28
China Anxious
For L. S. Goods.
Banker Finds
Present Unfavorable Eco
nomic Conditions Should
Not Discourage Plans
for Trade, Says Aspden
Returns From the Orient
British and Germans VIII
Offer Americans PLENTY
of Competition, He Asserts

America. The door to the development
Of great market for American prod
rcts is open to American business in
terests if only they will try to meet
the peculiar needs and requirements
CT the Chinese
Conditions are unfavorahle in China
IT the moment De1ation in its world
envcloping movement has wrought
great unsettlement in business and in
oustry in the Far East. Most lines of
enterprise are sta Gnant in the proce SIS
of ilquidation. Little is oeing export
ed from China, because the rest Of the
world IS not buying there. and since
he cannot buy for his rwn needs at
the normal rates. But the situation is
not at all dlscouraging, and China's re
Covery from its economic troubles will
cIen up vast market in the not dis
tant future.
These are among the observations
brought back from four months trip
tn the Orient by T. Frederick Aspdcn,
v president Of the Park Union For
e'gn Banking Corporation. The bank
}as branches in Shanghai, Yokohama
his time in the Far East in China and
Japan. He found the whole of the
Ftl East involved IN the troubles Incl
GENITAL to imitation, but he returned
horeful of the outcome, especially as
regards China.
Business at Standstill
"Business in China" said Mr.. Aspden
yesterday. "is practically at q stand
still. Exports have dried up because
the rest of the world is not buying
IL, .l,,
other large export ports, are sailing
light, standing gh in the water be-
cause Of the lack Of carroes. Goods
are piled high in many of the centers
of distribution such as Tiensicn and
Hankow. Here are goods destined for
foreign markets as we'll as goods from
foreign markets which were to be sent
into the interior of China. China has
poor warehouse facilities and the goods
are spread all over. But despite the
business uncertainty believe that
China will work out Of her present
difficulties once things become more
stabilized.
"And China offers great market in
the future if we will onl take hold
of it intelligcntly. The Germans are
already actively getting back t. work
in China, recovering the markets they
lost during the war. The British are
also active, so that competition is
growing keen These people know how
to meet requirements Of the Chinese
market and seek to do So 1t is up
to American business interests if they
are really sincere about developing the
Chinese market TO do the same. We
Americans should try to learn what is
wanted and should not try to force
our goods down the throats Of the
Chinese. They are friendly to us and
much of the business is ours if it is
only handled properly"
Make Poor Impression
According to Mr.. Aspden, a poor I'M
preston has been made by certain
American interests who have shipped
goods to China in manner that dis
pleased the Chinese. For instance
goods have been packed in a way that
did not meet with the approval of the
purchaser, and in many eases goods
have gone through to China. arriving
there in poor condition. This is only
one of the many complaints that the
Chinese have against American meth
DDS Of doing business. And the com
plants are Justified in many cases, in
the opinion of the banker
"lf we want this business" said Mr.
Aspdan, 1--WE must cater to China
would like to see US go out there and
endeavor to meet their needs # we
do so we can build up a great business
in the future. There is no doubt as TO
our aAiliiy to finance any business
with China that is deserving"
Sees Evidence Of Famine
While in China Mr.. Aspden saw many
evidences of the great famine which
has swept northern Chinese districts
in devastating manner In some re-
gions there has been no rain in two
years, and the soil is absolutely dry.
These are agricultural districts, whore
the Chinese farmer lives from hand to
mouth, laying little or nothing aside
from year to year. The result is that
when tie crons fail famine is nevita-
BILE. While Mr.. Aspden was in China
there we're days that the number of
refugees from the famine stricken dis
tricts swarmed into ITEMS n at a rate
said to approximate 10 OO0 day From
there they were being distributed to
other more fortunate parts of the
country. Southern China is in good
condition. so far as crops go, having
had prosperous year.
Mr.. Aspden while in japan found it
to be the opinion Of bankngg leaders
there that II would take q vcar or two,
at the most, for the island empire TO
work out Of its present financial and
economic troubles. JaDan's difficulties
are the result Of speculation, over
trading and unscttlcment in the no.
Ntical field. The bankers are putting
forth strenuous efforts to solve the
pressing problems Of the day bat ad
NIT that recovery will be slow and
painful.