The Washington times., 1895-06-07
JAPAN PEDDLING In KOREA
Proposed Method of Fostering Her
Trade in the Kingdom.
Consul General Jernigau Points Out
How American CommercetnC China
Could Be Advanced.

Consul General Jernigan, at Shanghai,
China, has sent to the State Department
his sobservations upon the commerce between
Japan and China and Korea, which he says
will present new phases as a result of the
termination of hostilities Mr.. Jernigan
Igives the views of Mr. oteri, ex-Japanese
minister TO China and Korea and now mem
Der of the priyy council of Japan.
The competition among Japanese mer-
chants for Korean trade is characterized
by Mr.. Oteri as vicious, who says their
attempt to ndersell each other has demor
allied trade. SO great was the rush of
Japanese merchants and goods into Korea
that difficulty wGs experienced in securing
personal accommodations and storage.
AS the japanese troops marched into the
interior the anticipated demand for mer-
chandise was not realized and then began
the ruinous underselling. Mr. Jernigan
says that from the attitude of Mr.. Oteri
''the inference is clear that he entertains
the commendable ambition of making japan
the chief reservoir OF Korean wants. "
In order to escape repetition of mis-
takes, Mr.. Oteri recommends the organiZa-
ton of the Japanese merchants into what
in the United States would be called q
trust, for the purpose of selling goods to
Korea and retail goods on easy terms to
petty agents. The present condition OF
Korea is represented as being suited TO
itinerant peddlers, and by means Of such
agents Japan may hope to penetrate every
corner of the Korean peninsula.
Inmaking his suggestions about China Mr..
Oteri advises his countrymen 20 be care
ful in selecting proper districts for com
mercial transactions Southern China is
regarded as of more importance than north
| ern China, but the former field is more
| generally covered by foreign merchants.
| In northern China the markets are COM
| paratiYely untouched and the inhabitants
| simpler. The ostentation displayed in
| Japan is not advised i'll dealing with China
| men, as displays in newly-opened shops
| are looked on as signs Of speculation, and
| have a tendency of lettering customers.
A large credit system is necess airy. Chinese
| merchants are said to be honest, but desire
| to make periodical payments. Mr.. Jernigan
| calls attention to the fact that there is
not in China or Japan banking institution
conducted by American capital and
| Americans
"The establishment of q bank in China
or Japan by American capitalists would"
he said, "at least give color OF permanency
to American enterprise in Asia. With
country Incompatible in resources and
acknowledged to he the wealthiest in the
world the question may be well asked
why should not American capitalists
recognize a primary principle in the ex-
tension of the trade relations OF their
country
Great Britain, France, and Germany
have banks in China and Japan and the
merchants of these countries are supported
by the banking institutions of their own
| countries and they have been dividing the
profits of Asiatic commerce. American
merchants in Asia have no such encourage
meut and are compelled to transact their
business through foreign banks. Not many
years ago the American interest was of
first consideration at Shanghai and Ameri-
can commerce whitened Asiatic seas.
Now other nations are pushing ahead,
| although geographically the United States
should dominate and supply with the over
productions of their fertile fields the
Asia"