The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-30
TRADING WITH JAPAN.
Some Figures Shown: How Much OF IL
We Do-Imports and Exports.

Governor Hubbard tells me that we
buy moro from Japan than any other
foreign ration. Last year, SAID nc,
our imports from this country
amounted TO q, 600, 600 japanese dol
lars. or about lG, 900, 900 American dol
lars. We bought 81, coo, 600 worth Of
her raw silk, and nearly ZOO, coo
worth Of her teas The fair checks Of
our ladies were cooled last year with
1870 worth of japanese fans, and
our noses were wiped with ssh, 600
worth of japanese silk handkerchieis,.
We buy nearly $500, 0o0 worth OF
porcelain every year, and our imports
Of bamboo ware amount to fl0z, 200 OF
Japanese money. We buy more than
twice rs much off Japan as any cthes
! country, and our imports are !.cFa.s
inc every year. In 1857 VIC bought
81. 500. 900 more goods than IN 1855,
and the United States will probably
continue TO be Japan's best customer"
"What are the chief articles OF ex.
mort from the United States TO Japani'
asked.
Kerosene oil leads the list" was
the reply. Half Of the japanese ma,
ton lights its houses with our coal oil
lamps. and we sold in 1886 over 81, =
600, 00O worth of coal oil TO Japan.
There has been a falling off this year
in this, but the export is still large
Then the American clock ispopular in
Japan, and you may see thousands Of
them in Toxic. The common Office
clock, which hangs upon the wall, Is
very popular, and one sale Of clocks
here amounts to 100000 japanese dol
lars year. Many a japanese baby l.
now brought up on American con
denscd milk, and s5J, 600 worth was
sold last year. We sell sole leather.
books. machinery and provisions, and
Japan bought $94, 600 worth OF our
flour last year. Their figures arc small,
but American foreign trade is in it,
infancy. and it has a world yet to con
ouer Here in the east there are 600,
600, 900 OF people who require more OF
less OF some kinds of goods, which
American brains. push and capital can
furnish at a profit, and in Japan there
arc 100000 Of people who are
ready TO fake from America what sbe
has to sell that fits her needs whenever
they can buy it as cheaply Of her as Of
other nations. We sell to north China
Sc, OO0, 600 worth of cotton sheetlngs q
year, and this in the teeth of the
manufacturing nations of Europe.
Japan is much more accessible 10 us
Why should we not sell 10 here
How much do We selll' asked
"None, replied Governor Hubbard.
"Thc American cottons do not enter
the Japanese markets. We do moi
make the cheap and light article OF
cotton required Try the japanese. a
slight change in the factories how
ever. would adapt them TO this class of
goods, and there is no doubt but that
our American mills can get limited
market here when they are forced to
look abroad for foreign trade. They
will then have TO sell their goods II
close competition with England. We
are Japan's nearest foreign ncighbor.
We have the cotton at our doors, and
| our factories are i'm operation japan
raises some cotton, but IT Is cf an IN
ferior quality. 1t seems TO me that
foreign trade offers the solution Of
many Of the labor and capital troubles
of the United States. When the home
markets are glGtted and factories
closed for want Of demand, this for
cign trade could eat up some Of the
surplus and keep The mills from rest
ing.
Japan buys" Governor Hubbard
went on, "$5l coo, 000 worth ot goods
year from foreign nations II sells
in round $50, coo, 600 worth of goods
abroad, and its imports ale thus nearly
81, 600, 600 less than It, exports. The
needs Of the nation will grow with tho
new civilization, and an increased de.
mand for our productions will be the
result. Among the chief things 1t now
/ buvs are steam engines, clocks,
watches hats aud caps, iron, steel,
window glass, sugar, wooden and cot
ton yarns. It's importations Of cotton
| warns last wear were e, COO 600, and II
bought $500 600 worth Of wines. II
sells abroad about forty different arti
cles, and some Of these Will be new &c
you. IL cainphor ther: is an export
of 81, 00O, 600 and in cdttlc fish a like
amount. Japan sells s., coo, 600 worth
of copper a year, and it has one Of The
largest copper mines in the world. 1t
sells 81 O0O,0 worth of porcelain
81. 600. coo worth of silk handkerchiefs,
and s., 600, coo worth Of tea. We buy
nearly all of the Japan tea that goes
abroad. The sales OF raw silk amount
to $40, 000, 900 year, and of cocoona
10 $500, GOO year. i. sells $500, 00o
worth of mushrooms and $1,000 COG
worth Of rice. The trade Of the country
is susceptible OF increase, and Japan is
by no means at The end Of its material
development. Prank G. Carpenters
Letter.
One Cause of Rain storms.
A correspondent Of the Northwest