The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-04

Our Commerce with Japan.
It is admitted by those best capable OF
judging that the most remarkable exhibit,
in all respects. made by any OF the foreign
countries represented at the Centennial
by Japan. Not less remarkable, it appears,
is the display now made by that wonderful
people in the international Exhibition at
Paris. In the graphic account Of the open
ing of the French Exhibition given to our
readers in our issue OF the I'D ult the
HfnALD correspondent stated rs follows
'Japan furnishes incontestably the most
attractive and brilliant show in the Exhibit
ton, not alone quaint and beautiful. but
useful, showing evidence in color and form
that even Japan Yields IN influence on
European art The only department really
ready, with every nail in its place, is that
devoted to Japan and China"
These facts afford fotd for very serious
reflections. 1t is but few years since
Japan was first opened to commercial and
industrial intercourse with the outside
world. Yet what remarkable signs of prog
ress, as we judge Of progress, do we behold
The inquiry may well arise, Are we or are
they to be the winners in the competition
we have opened? In this point of view
careful study Of the facts regarding the
trade we have thus far had with Japan will
be useful and interesting. We published in
our columns yesterday statement OF that
commerce from it's commencement down to
~ x;xca Ac b,,cinocy on
ton the result. it will be seen, is very far
from being to our advantage.
The commerce Of the United States with
Japan dates from the year 1859. In that
year it amopnted to but $685. The follow
ing year it was less than $500, 600, and up to
1866 it had not reached $3.50, 600 per annum.
In the fiscal year 1866 the total exchanges
suddenly increased to $2,300,000, aud in
1873 their value reached 1890. 600. The
following year there was a decline to
So, $50, 900, and since then an increase has
again taken place to SIG, GOO, 600 in 1876 and
1877. Very great fluctuations, it will be OBJ
served, have taken place during this short
period.
But there is another feature which is to
be noticed. The total imports into the
United States from japan du-ing the last
fiscal year amounted to the value of
free OF duty. On the other hand, our ex-
ports to Japan amounted only to the value
of 1924, SS4. of which 81 per cent, or
81, 672 538, wns in specie, and but s., 252, BAG.
or 40 per cent, in merchandise.
Thus while Japan sold to us last year to
the value Of upward Of $4,000, 900 Of her
products nearly all Of which came in free
Of duty. we sold to Japan of oil our prod
ucts only to the value OF s1,250, 600, ex-
elusive Of specie. Our total exports to
Japan, including specie, during the Ave
years ended Juno 80, 1876. averaged only
ten cents per capita per annum of the
population Of that country, which is stated
to be over 33,0OO,0OO, or more than
three-fourths Of the present population
Of the United States. A moro unfayor-
able showing than these statements pre-
sent could scarcely BIO imagined. 1t would
certainly appear that the japanese have
manifested more ability or more enterprise
in the trade between the two countries, so
far, than we have OF our total commerce
with Japan it further appears that only AZ
per cent was carried in American vessels.
England's commerce with japan tor the
five years ended June 80, 1875, was not SO
large as our own, but her exports
averaged $40, $50, 139 per annum, while
her imports averaged but $2,S50,OOO
per annum, thus showing great
advantage over our own trade with
that country. The total imports from all
countries into Japan for the year 1876 are
officially stated to have amounted to
SIS, 743, ia, of which Great Britain and her
possessions furnished in value S15. OO0, 900
France und China, 81. 1000, and the
United States only to the value of
81, 100, 900. The value of the cotton fabrics
imported into Japan that year is stated to
have been 81, 600. 600; Of manufactured iron
about s7,OOO,0O0 and OF woollen fabrics.
s3,Oo0,OO
1t is certainly evident, therefore. that d
basis for trade with the United States is not
wanting Considering our proximity to
Japan, our cAiSShb isShAtAeo ~ 'scAH coAA-
munication and the fact that we can pro-
duce these articles as cheaply as England,
| it is difficult to see any valid reason why
our export trade to that country should not
be largely increased. That VIC should buy
their products to the value Of sl4. 000 600
per ann um, and sell to them Of our own only
to the value OF 81. 250, 600, is state Of things
| that should not be allowed to continue. Nor
is it gratifying to our pride, as the country
which claims TO have opened japan to inter
course with the outer world, to find that the
advantages of that trade are certainly as yet
in other hands than our own.
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