The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-06
GREAT MILLS OF THE ORIENT.
Wharton Barker Tells of Chinese and
Japanese Industries.
Philadelphia Times.

fnllaceIpnla Times.
Wharton Barker, prominent in Philadel-
phia mercantile life, who has been identified
with several movements for the develop
ment Of the resources of the interior of
China, has Just returned from another trip
to the Celestial empire and Japan.
He left Shanghai on Oct. u on the steamer
Empress OF China, and arrived at Vancou-
eighteen days. He reached this city Mon
day night. Yesterday afternoon he spoke of
the industrial activity and progressive spir-
1t OF the people of Japan, and the persever-
s.It was a great sight" he said, Ito wit
ness the immense cotton mills of Osak, a
city of 100000 inhabitants, near Kobe. the
seat of the cotton manufacturing industry
OF Japan, well as the wooden mills, spin
dies and looms, running day and night, to
supply not only the wants OF Japan, but of
Europe and other countries as well. Their
chief product at present consists OF kind
OF cotton fabric, which is used by us in
They expect not only to increase their ex-
port to Europe, but also in America, and
the manufacturers. foreign and domestic,
are elated over the prospects OF great prof
its, which they fully hope to realize within
the next few years.
They also manufacture a speciality or
rugs after the order Of those manufactured
in this city, which they originally took for
a pattern. Surgical instruments are being
made there at about one-tenth of the cost
Of similar instruments in Europe. They
have arrived at such degree or perfec-
ton In the manufacture of these that 1t is
impossible to distinguish the japanese prod
uct from the European.
II spent the greater part OF my time In
China, where / noticed that the people
tSs Ms bsr as to the
apathy In political matters and very little of
what Americans call patriotism. there Is a
universal spirit OF industry and persever-
ence exhibited which surpasses that of any
American. The kitchen gardening and
farming. although done with poor tools,
would put TO shame tnat seen on the model
o., Of orf~.
or even those Of Belgium. In these gardens
l saw growing all the vegetables known to
us, and many with which We are not faml-
lar Their gardening and farming are not
affected by drouth. because of q very thor
ough and not scientific system of irrigation,
a system that would be prohibitory with us
because OF the expense of labor, which here
properly commands adequate compensation.
'As an illustration OF the low standard OF
wages, first-class farm laborer receives
but 81 per month. which keeps him in a way
satisfactory to himself. although in AFFECT
filth With this ridiculous sum he even
clothes himself decently. Very few people
are to be seen in rags, and these only
among class such as the opium fiend. who
Is utterly worthless and very much like our
American drunkard.
1.-THE filth of all their cities, Picking espe-
cially, outside Of the range of foreign infiu-
ence, is frightful to behold. Yet with all
this filth It Is easy to find beautiful and
costly fabrics and surroundings such as one
would expect to see in the homes of the
rich. One passes frequently from a street
FOUL with refuSe into residence or I'M
maculate cleanliness.
China. as well as Japan, is awakening tC
the position her cheap labor, her productive
soil. her mineral wealth give her, And the
Chinese have also erected a number of cot.
ton mills for the purpose of supplying their
own people with the cotton clothes which
heretofore were brought from America and
Europe. They are contemplating the cree.
ton Of wooden mills I'm which to manufact.
ure carpets and rugs for American and
European markets. They now know thai
about 50 per cent. of the carpet woods USED
in those countries are obtained from China
and they expect soon to ship that WOO
manufactured into carpets, instead of the
raw material They must. though. in the
beginning have superintendent familiar
with such machinery as is used in America
and Europe. They will have great difficulty
I'm finding men whom they are willing t6
trust. as they are OF an exceedingly sus-
picious nature.
THE government OF China Is. of course
very weak. But whether the present
dynasty continues or whether some Chinese
revolution succeeds in changing the person.
mel OF the government. whether the
European powers agree upon the partition
OF China, industrially and commercially
China will remain one great. compact mass
The European and American parts of the
world must accept the conditions that exist
and protect themselves from Asiatic com
petition or sink in time, and not Ions
time at that, TO the Asiatic level. In my
judgment. the course OF America Is plain
We should recognize the quantity theory
OF money. rc-establish bimet allism immedi.
ately and enact tariff laws that viii protect
American labor