Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-07-10
WASHINGTON CyLLINGS.
General ]. B. JOhnStOn'S Successor
is Appointed.
AN EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS-.
Eccentricities OF a Western Caller
at the White House-A
ConsIIl's Advice.
WASHINGTON CyLLINGS.
AN EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS-.
SOUND ADVICE.

The Consul at Japan Makes Some Good
Points in His Report.
WASHINGTON, July 9th-Consul Jeningen
at Osaka, Japan, in his report to the State
Department under date OF February 9th
last, has the following about Japanese coal:
In May last a firm in San Francisco
commenced to import coalItfrom Osaka,
Hiogo, and the trade indicates an increase.
Up to January last it had imported about
1900 tons, and from reports received here
the Japanese coal gives satisfaction. 1t is
principally bituminous, but there are one
or two mines claimed to contain anthracite
coal, and the matter is receiving the atten-
ton of experts.
The coal is bought from the natives at
so much per ton, to which must be added
the cost of transportation to the open ports
where the foreigner can load it on their
ships.
Ii is an industry that is growing and
promises to figure largely in the list of
Japanese exports. While japanese coal
may not be as good as Australian or Ameri-
can coal yet as Japan is nearer to the Pa
cific slope than Australia, the difference in
price and freight will possibly offset
the quality, and cause the inhabitants of the
slope when purchasing coal from foreign
countries to look to Japan for future sup
plies.
The output of coal in Japan at present
amounts to 10000 tons per annum.
There Is no export duty on coal"
He then makes the following pertinent
suggestion
in one of nay reports l directed atten-
ton to the number and names of the diff
ferent steamship lines that stopped at this
port for freight. Nearly every nationality
in commercial importance except the
United States sends its flag here, and much
OF the freight that formerly went to Yoko-
hama and was reshipped there for San
Francisco by the American line is now
carried to Vancouver by the Canadian Pa
cific steamers flying the British flag This
line connects with the Canadian Pacific
railroad, which has its terminal point at
Vancouver, and both the railway and
steamship lines are heavily subsidized by
the British Government
In the treightage of tea alone there were
100000 pounds lost last year to the
steamers that carry freight to San Fran
cisco, to be transported To the different
parts OF the United States over American
railways. This loss was a gain to the Pa
ciic and Canadian steamers and to the Ca
madam railroad.
There can be no better proof of the great
energy Of the American companies when
they float, unaided, the American flag in
Tue lace OF the influence ana wealth OF the
British Government. | would submit again
the advisabi!ity of the American company
arranging TO have its steamers stop at
this port. Another observation in connec-
nection with the agency which, while not
of a commercial character in itself. will
prove instrumental in advancing Ameri-
can interests in the East will not be out of
place IN this report. AT all important
treaty ports in the East, where there are
British residents and merchants there are
one or more newspapers edited by one of
that nationality, and whatever can advance
there its interest is sure TO appear in print.
This is proper aud legitimate, and believe
is one of the most powerful agencies in be-
half of commercial supremacy.
American merchants are not inferior to
the merchants of any nation in intelli-
gence, industry and moral standing, and if
the manufacturers and merchants of the
United States would establish at Yoko-
hama, Japan, and at Shanghai, China,
vigorous and Intellectual press, and sus-
tain it, the cost would be less than the
sums that they spend on travelling agents
and for circulars, and far more effectual in
bringing to the attention of the Asiatic
buyers the advantages of their machinery,
goods and prices.
There IS not newspaper or commercial
journal published anywhere in the East
under the direction of American influence.