The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-11
FACTORIES IN JAPAN.
A Talk With Okuma. the John
Sherman of the Orient.
CHANCE FOR AMERICAN CAPITAL.
Girls Work for s Cents Day Who Are
as Skiilfui as Those Who Get 81
In This Country.
Tokyo Letter in Chicago Record.

ert system or government, and
shaped tAe financial policy that
has since been followed. He has
held portfolios in several cabinets, and
was minister of foreign affairs four years
ago and made series OF treaties with
the United States and European powers,
similar 10 those which have recently been
concluded with Great Britain, Russia and
our own government. No man in Japan,
except Count Ito. the present prime min
lister, or Count Inouye, who has recently
returned from the Korean mission. has
been so active "a a leader. and although
he is not a member OF the present gov
ernment. Count Okuma is still regarded
as one OF the ablest statesmen in the en-
pire and one Of the most ardent apostles
Of progress. The political party, or
rather the faction, OF which he is the
leader are called the Progressionists, and
their criticism OF the present administra-
ton is chiefly that IL does not so so far
and so fast in the adoption OF modern
ideas and methods as the welfare of the
country demands.
With Mr.. Masujima. one Of the most
prominent lawyers of Japan. as inter-
prefer. called upon Count Okuma today
and asked what suggestion he could make
to the merchants and manufacturers of
the United States in regard 10 the extern
sion OF their trade ia Japan. He re-
marked that the market for foreign mer-
chandise in Japan was growing more and
more limited every day. but there was a
grand opportunity for the introduction OF
American machinery and for the sale OF
our raw products, such as iron. cotton
and wool.
Japan Is undergoing an industrial revo-
luton" said Count Okuma. similar TO
the political revolution which has occu-
pied our attention for the last quarter Of
a century. Old ideas and methods which
hKrrz 81 30 g.
centuries are being gradually discarded
and new ideas and methods are being in
troduced. Manual labor is being sup
planted by machinery. and our manufac-
turers are seeking the most economical
and perfect methods of producing their
goods. AS you know already, this revoIu-
ton has affected the textile industry thus
far moro than any other. but it will very
soon invade other branches of manufac-
turing. and Japan will soon become one
Of the greatest workshops In the world
for we have all of the conditions neces-
sary, with the exception of raw cotton,
iron and some other materials which
your people should furnish u.s. I should
be very glad to see large increase I'm
our trade with the United States
What methods can you suggest TO
bring about that increase?"
81 am not a practical man. replied
Count Okuma, "and i am not sufficiently
familiar with the details OF manufacture
ing TO be a wise adviser. I have a gen.
eral knowledge only. Our country is
still young. Our manufacturing indus
tries. Judged by modern standards. are
still In their infancy and such conditions
always offer opportunities for profitable
investments and for the sale of all forms
of machinery that are required by mod
ern methods OF manufacturing. II will
be years before the demand Is supplied or
Ar1fA IL .f LII. tr,nfx
own machinery We have very skillful
artisans, perhaps the most skillful In the
world but they have never been trained
I'm mechanics. and for some time yet must
depend upon foreign inventors and for
eign experience to supply them with the
machinery they need and teach them
how to use ii. Our people learn very
rapidly. but they still require instruction
in the applied sciences.
''ro meet the new order of things"
continued Count Okuma. ''our first great
requisite is capital, and the second is ex-
perience. and the people OF the United
States can furnish us both. The new
treaty will soon go into effect which gives
them equal advantages and opportunities
with our own citizens. and we shall hope
10 see many Of your enterprising business
men bringing their money and their ma
chinery over here TO add to our wealth
as well as their own"
Would advise them to establish inde-
pendent factories or organize companies
In connection with your citizens?"
~ should think IL would be better to
combine. Our people know the local mar
ket and the condition OF labor better than
yours while your people have a better
understanding OF the use of machinery
and the foreign demand. should think
better results could be accomplished by
mixed companies. the shares being dis
seffx ed g,RTh 81 rfts &C
might aid in the success OF the enter
prise but IL would be we'll for the In
vestors Of the United States 10 bring with
them a few men OF experience to act as
superintendent and feremen. at least
until competent japanese are educated TO
perform such duties. Our people are am
bilious and quick TO seize upon new ideas,
but al first they would be less capable of
managing matters economically and so
as 70 produce the best results"
The experience OF the iron foundry to
which I have alluded in previous letter
was referred 10 as an illustration of the
ambition Of the japanese, as we'll as the
unfortunate results that often follow in
experience.
then asked his excellency how soon
Japan would he ready 10 compete with
the United States and other manufacture
ing nations I'm the markets OF the world
al do not think there will ever be any
close competition between tho United
States and Japan" he replied, but with
IN twenty-five years ! expect to see our
manufacturers I'm control Of the Asiatic
market BY that time we shall be able TO
furnish nearly everything that is re-
CURED on that continent and IL will be a
serious competition for England. France.
Germany and other European countries.
II will be some years longer before we
will lie able TO compete with them in ma
chinery. We haven't that so well in
hand bat In fabrics and almost every
thing else we shall be able to begin ex-
porting very soon. Japan has a great
future as a manufacturing nation. but its
natural rivals are in Europe. not in the
United States particularly II your coun-
try retains its protective policy we may
not come In competition with you az all"
~ understand that your government in
tends to adopt a protective policy as soon
as the new treaties go into effect and
you are able TO make your own tariff"
Il hone not am not a proteetionist.
and ] should regret to see the introduce
ton of such a policy I'm Japan have
no doubt that IL Will be expedlent for as.
after the new treaties go into effect, 10
in,nosa higher duties upcn tobacco. wines.
snirtts and articles Of luxury fer revenue.
but not for protection. ! am opposed 20
taxing the necessaries Of life and to the
doctrine ef protective tarifs'
Us rot the present government con-
tenpiattnE such policy
There is no settled policy In the pres
ent government. but its tendency Is in
favor % protection. and an attempt viii
he made 20 adopt II. but u will not sue
coed THE ministers OF finance and agri-
culture and commerce are protectionists.
but their IDEAS are not popular. There
are also a number OF political leaders ad-
vocating "a protective tariff. but the peo-
81 ali Z xzh M