The evening world., 1922-05-18
UnUieIdY
China
COM M e RCE.
By Maubert st. Georges
Copyright, 1922 (New York Evening
World) by Press Publishing Co.

The Chinese are a commercial race.
Ingrained in them by countless gene
rations of bargaining is the desire for
gain. II transaction of any kind is
made by 81 Chinaman, 1t is certain
that he is making a profit. Moreover.
no nation on earth is as tenacious of
its customs as the Chinese. AS a re-
suit, business is carried on in manner
well-nigh impossible for the average
Western merchant to understand.
No matter where any goods come
from, no matter where they are
bound, merchandise entering China
is handled by the Chinese themselves.
Practically all the foreign merchants
in China have their native compra-
dore through whom all transactions
with the Chinese are made. Very
often these deals are not profitable
to the merchant, but the compradore
always makes his commission, and
whether the foreigner makes money
or not the native is sure to get rich.
Suppose Chinaman wants to in
stall some new machinery. He goes to
one of these middlemen and asks him
to buy for him. The middleman goes
to a foreigner with his order and gets
a very good commission from both
buyer and seller. In his own interest
he orders whatever is most expensive
regardless of requirements. General
ly the manufacturer knows quite well
that the goods will be unsuitable, but
what does he care? Complaints may
be made, but he is certain to get his
1 H.. q
common thing to see expensive ma
chinery rusting and rotting in the
open, result of the modern methods
imported BY the Chinese.
Such Is the new commerce that
the foreigner can see in China these
days. Luckily. however, it affects
only a small part of the people, that
part which. living on the coast, has
been westernized.
The great majority of the people.
however, live inland and these, lit
tie farmers and merchants, carry on
their business with but scant inter-
est for the politics that cause so much
excitement among their more civil
lied brethren. These people have
evolved among themselves an eco
nomic system that has been work
ing efficiently for centuries.
Neglected by their Government,
looked upon by local officials as At
only for taxation, they have been
forced to help themselves. They have
brought into existence a highly or
ganized banking system, credit is ex-
tensively used and pawning Is con-
sidered a reputable means OF obtain
ing money.
Most interesting Of all are their
voluntary loan associations. Having
nothing to offer as security for loan
that would enable them to venture to
enlarge their affairs. half a dozen men
who have an Insignificant yearly sur
plus of say 800 will pool this into one
sum. Then they will take turns year
| ly at using the total sum, each guar
Ianteeing to refund the amount at the
end of the year.
It is these men who have given the
Chinaman the reputation of being
honest in his affairs, honorable in
his transactions and prompt in his
payments. Even to-day, in spite OF
the disorganization that might give
| him an excuse to be otherwise, he
maintains his reputation for COM
mercial integrity and remains alooi
from the civilizing influence that
seems to have seized the small grour
of politicians, soldiers and traders or
the coast