Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-07-13
TRADE wlTn JAPAN.


TRADE WITH JAPAN
rntsses Ing Facts srcm Uaitsa stste. Nh
lister Hubbsrtts Report
The trade reportros Richard b. Hub
bard. United States Munster to Japan,
some interesting facts re-
1ating to our trade with that ennntrv.
It appears that the exports from J apan
to the United Ssatcs in 1885 anounted
to $15. 613 1858 81. while orr imports
there were bit 81 725. 1sf 76. leaving
balance Of trade srainst fiie United
States OF S12 8S7, 5Sl1 10. During the
same year the exports to Great Britain
were hat -, 4II,973 81, while their inn
ports to japan amounted to 912
42l.53, balance Of frade in favor of
England Of SO, 0O3, Az. 92. The ts.ai
trade Will, Germany was only $2.129-
58607 but with the balance In favor
of Germany u 81, POI. 729 81. while the
trade with France was IS. 065, IT'S. I5,
with the balance in favor Of Japan Of
s., 406. 0i5.61. Over fourteen millions
out of the fifteen millions Of dollars OF
Japanese imports into the United
States are admitted free Of duty. Thus,
il appears, That while the United States
buys more tlfan fifteen millions an
nually, England buys only about two
millions. and yet the United States
sells less than three millions in return,
while England sells more than twelve
millions.
In commenting on this state of 4af-
fairs the Minister says: 'sThe fault is
not with our Government, whose liber-
al policy has been. and is now, to adj
nit duty free through our custom-
house over fourteen millions Of the sif-
teen millions Of imports to the United
States from Japan. 1t is not chargea-
Bile to the want Of good neighborhood
and the most cordial relations Between
our respective people. 1t can rot be
-chargeable to the Government of Ja-
pan certainly in any invidious desire
to court the favors Of European pow
ers for political reasons. by encourage
ing larger import trade from some
other nations than from the United
States. -. Rather, is it not attri-
butable to the supineness of our Amer
+ lean merchants and manufacturers
both of cotton and wooden and iron
and steel. to the sad decadence of the
American merchant marine; once the
| pride of the Republic. which leaves the
ocean highways of commerce to the
| ships of other nations to bear products
to the world's markets?
Notwithstanding our greatlexports.
American products of the field and
loom, of our iron and cotton and wool
en- mills, etc. outside of petroleum oil
| (Which could not be had anywhere
else on earth heretofore). we see the
| gold and silver of Japan going to Eng
land and Germany principally for
market, and the patronage incident to
1 great public works of internal inn
provements committed mostly to Ell
ropean manufacturers. iron men, and
engineers.
The cause of all this want of re-
ciprocity of trade has been found at
the doors of our own people. who had
never until recently made and en-
deayor to create an export trade to
the East, and especially to Japan"
| The report intimates that iron, steel
and machinery, and that class of
goods, can be sent as cheap and
cheaper from the States as from En-
gland or Germany, and concludes with
the prediction that the pluck. energy
and sagacity of the Americans may
vet increase the trade between the
two countries. while it at the same time
reduces the balance of trade. if not
changing it entirely in III sir favor
Not the least interesting portion of
the pamphlet is the comments of the
Japanese press, translations from
which accompany the report. in which
the friendliest spirit is manifested TO-
ward the United States, while claim
ing that the present state of the trade
between the two countries is entirely
the fault of the United States for not
seizing the opportunities presented to
them. Oh 'cago Times.