Search

The article describes the political situation in China through the perspective of the author who was doing business in the country. In the past 12 years from 1927, foreign trade in China increased 300 per cent despite its civil war. Troops headed by Chang Tso Lin was trying to displace the Cantonese from Hankow. The author reveals a private account of Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugen Chen who approached Americans in order that they may resume business and open up factories in starving areas.

The article explores the decline of the precious metal called silver. According to the author, a primary economic curiosity of the age is the drop of silver from the so-called semi-superstitious value level given to it through its link with gold to its proper commodity price range. The author cites the shift towards the gold standard in China and India. The author adds that there are few real silver mines which can be operated with silver under fifty cents per ounce.

Photographs of road building projects in China in February 1930 are presented.

The article examines U.S. export trade focusing on Far Eastern trade as of March 15, 1930. Attention is paid to the export of manufactured goods such as electrical equipment, the export of tin and rubber to southeastern Asia including China, Japan, and Australia. The business conditions in China focusing on Shanghai and Manchuria, as well as the development of the textile industry are also discussed. The economic conditions in Japan are addressed as well.

The article reports on the decline in commodity prices in the U.S. and its upward movement upon reaching resistance points in some cases. Among the factors that contributed to the decline in prices are the increased selling in China and the accumulation of silver stocks in India. The prices of silver bullion as well as copper export price have declined. Prices of cotton went down and wheat also went under the 77 U.S. cents level.

The article discusses some of the factors which influence the price of silver during the world-wide economic depression of 1929-1931. The reduction of the price of silver compared to its pre-World War I price is discussed, as well as the world-wide consumption of silver. Fluctuations in the quality and supply of silver affecting price are discussed. The effects of hoarding in India, price depreciation in Mexico and South America, and foreign trade in China on the price of silver and purchasing power are also examined.

The article discusses the effect of national movements toward economic self-sufficiency on the value of exports from the United States in 1931. Topics mentioned include statistics for American exports in 1914, 1930, and 1931, the statement of the Indian Merchants' Chamber commercial association urging consumers in India to buy only Indian-made products, and the establishment of a central planning commission in China after the Soviet model.

The article discusses economic issues being settled by the League of Nations regarding the conflict between China and Japan on the control of Mukden, the capital of the Chinese region of Manchuria. Information on Japanese investments in Manchuria is presented, noting that the Japanese nationals who operate businesses in the region are continuously demanding for protection of their business. The interest of other countries like the U.S. and Soviet Union in the economic opportunities in Manchuria is also described.

The article offers an update on international trade as of October 1931. Currency hoarding and political issues are a cause of concern throughout Europe. The French business community is showing a lack of confidence in the U.S., Germany and England as it foresees financial and political crises in these countries. The trade relations between Japan and China are being affected by various factors including flood and famine in China and the claim by Japan that the Chinese government is responsible for anti-Japanese movements.

This section offers news briefs on international business as of November 25, 1931. The 2 percent import tax to be added to present duties in France will not be applied to raw materials but will be increased to 4 percent on semi-manufactures and to 6 percent on manufactures. There has been an increase in demand for larger imports and dollar exchange in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay. Japanese goods are being boycotted in China.

The article discusses the use of economic sanctioning in international relations. In particular the League of Nations is highlighted for its use of economic sanctions to prevent armed conflict. Economic sanctions were first provided for internationally through the Covenant of the League of Nations. The League of Nations is an international organization established in 1919 as a result of the Paris Peace Conference following World War I. The League of Nations is attempting to effect an amicable settlement between China and Japan. Japan is considered particularly vulnerable because of its dependence on foreign imports.

The article reports on the growing interest by British business in the bright industrial prospects in China after the Chinese Ministry of Industries unveiled a 10-year industrial development plan.

The article reports that Japan has discovered a way to produce oil from coal gathered from Japanese mines in Manchuria through the use of the Fushun colliery.

The article offers information on the latest developments in Far East which include drive by the Japanese soldiers in Manchukuo against the organized robbery by vagabond Chinese soldiers, criticism of Japan's policy in Manchukuo by smaller countries in the League of Nations and construction of an aluminium plant in Shanghai, China.

The article offers new briefs related to the business scenario of the Asian countries including Japan, and China. A China Merchants' stock exchange was opened in Shanghai, China, with the aim of dealing in Chinese government bonds, and the stocks of leading Chinese banks, public utilities, and similar securities. According to the representatives of the Ford Motor Co. in Japan the company is considering the establishment of a manufacturing plant within the country.

The article reports on the decision of the administration of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to end the negotiations with the Soviet Union for a new debt settlement and trade agreement in 1935. The factors which influenced the U.S. decision on the issue include the assurance made by Japanese officials that Japan has no bad intentions for the U.S. and the positive outlook for the Chinese Eastern Railway problem. A loan of 100 million U.S. dollars was also asked by the Russians.

The article reports that Otis Elevator Co. has installed the first escalators in Shanghai, China at the Sun Department Store.

This section offers global business news briefs. The Soviet Union will purchase rail equipment with the near completion of the transsiberian rail line in the Japanese-controlled Manchukuo in the Far East. China will create a Central Trust Purchasing Department at the Central Trust of China to consolidate all national, provincial and municipal government purchases under one department. Colombia ratified a new trade agreement with the U.S. and signed a new trade treaty with Guatemala.

This section offers world news briefs related to business as of May 1936. Japan is continuing with its plans for economic penetration on mainland Asia, which include the operations of Japanese shipping companies in Chinese waters. Brazil has completed the shipment of its first cargo of iron ore to Cardiff, Wales. The Soviet Union will send out a commission to study the production of typewriters abroad.

The article reports on the latest business developments and activities outside of the U.S. as of December 26, 1936. It claims that the global business climate is strong, with solid performance in such countries as Chile, Great Britain and Japan. It cites that the only major threat to the booming economy is the possibility of war as shown in the public threat of Germany against the Soviet Union and the volatile situation in China. The situations in the global mining and agricultural industries, among others, are also cited.

This section offers news briefs regarding events related to business in various parts of the world as of July 1937. The conflict between Japan and China at Peiping is not likely to start a world war between the U.S. and Great Britain. In France, the Chautemps-Bonnet fiscal reform plan has been found to be inadequate to be really effective while causing an increase in living costs. The slight rise in industrial shares in Great Britain in the previous week has slowed down.

This section offers news briefs related to businesses outside the U.S. as of September 1937. Exporters in Germany fear drastic decline in their performance since an outbreak of hostilities in Shanghai, China was reported. Businesses in London, England expect an improvement in their income despite the increased materials costs during the year. The Russian government launched a program which aims to promote the daily production of several commodities like coal, steel and oil.

The article comments on the involvement of the U.S. in the Chinese-Japanese War in 1937. It criticizes U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt for his failure to enact the U.S. neutrality policy that the U.S. Congress has approved. The author argues that the President must know the powers that he possesses and the restrictions that hamper him to implement the law that was supported by most of the U.S. people.

The article discusses Japanese trade prohibitions on 300 categories of imports, details of which are to be revealed on October 10, 1937. It explains that Japan needs to defray the costs of a longer, more expensive military campaign in China. American exporters anxiously wait for the details having sold more than 200 million U.S. dollars' worth of goods to Japan, U.S.' third top importer in 1936. Japan assures that the total business placed in the U.S. is not likely to be reduced, but there will be shifts in materials imported such as cuts in raw cotton.

The article focuses on the trade difficulties experienced by China in the U.S. in 1937 due to the demands raised by Japan regarding rights and powers. Topics discussed include China's nearly 1 billion U.S. dollar-worth of foreign loan obligations in different countries including the U.S., Great Britain, and France, the possibility of Japan controlling all ports and communication including Manchuria, and the effects of the trade disputes to Chinese economy.

The article focuses on the independence of the Philippines in the light of the expansion of the Japanese in Asia. The Japanese have already conquered the Chinese capital Nanking, Manchuria, and a territory along the border of Mongolia. The Philippines is set to receive its independence from the U.S. on July 4, 1946 under the U.S. Tydings-McDuffie Act. Former Philippine Vice-Governor Ralston Hayden believes that when the free trade agreement between the country and the U.S. ends, an economic disaster is seen.

The article offers information on Chinese decoy tanks that Japanese forces near Nanking, China wasted shells, bombs, and machine gun bullets.

This section offers international business news briefs. Japan announced that it will open a central bank in Peking, China which will lay the groundwork for monetary reform in all of China under Japanese occupation. The provincial government of Quebec has purchased a gold mine to be used as a practical training school for young miners. English River Pulp Co. will start construction of a large pulp and paper plant in Northern Ontario.

The article focuses on the undertaking of Japan to build a new colonial empire in China as of February 1938. It mentions Kochu Koshi (China Development Co.) president Shinji Sogo who supposes that he can attract American capital into joint venture with the Japanese in the new empire. Also cited are the company's major schemes for the future under the protection of the Japanese. A brief background of Sogo is provided.

The article analyzes the possible impact of the Japanese government's enactment of a law that empowers the government to take over business during an emergency such as war. The law is of interest to the U.S. because of the substantial flow of U.S. goods to Japan and the similarity of the law to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's emergency-power proposal. The law also affects Japan's trade relations with China.

This section offers news briefs on business and politics in countries other than the U.S. as of March 1938. The Japanese government announced that China is establishing an autonomous state in Central China with Nanking as capital. The signing of a new trade pact between Great Britain and Italy signals the possibility of a more significant agreement between the two countries. Great Britain bought Soviet goods worth 113 million U.S. dollars and sold goods worth 40 million U.S. dollars to Russia in 1937.

This article points out that U.S. businesses operating in China will be at a competitive disadvantage with Japanese businesses. Japanese military occupation of Chinese cities, such as Shanghai, has enabled Japanese businesses to dominate the competition from foreign businesses such as the U.S.'s. U.S. businesses that are expected or have already posted losses are the Universal Leaf Tobacco Co., National City Bank of New York and American Express Co.

The article offers information on the growing power of Japan and declining power of Canton, China and Hankow in Wuhan, China. It states that China is inefficient in coping up with the military readiness of Japan. It mentions that this has affected the commercial markets of China. It highlights that Japan has added several people in the raw material industry.

The article reports that Pacific Northwest lumber exporters are likely to lose trade with Japan and parts of China.

The article offers news briefs related to business relations of China with Japan, which include, discontentment of Japan over the credit of 5,000,000 euros given by Great Britain to China, the illegitimation of old Chinese currency by Japan, and the shopping done by Japanese businessmen in the U.S. for plant equipment.