The herald., 1895-01-05
SATURDAY MORNING
,ply the moss ad vancsd Western knowl.

apply the most advanced Western knowl.
edge and civilization.
1t has trained an army. the recent per
formances CT which have recsived the
praise OF military authorities. 1t has
constructed and equipped navy which
insures the island even against inya-
sien by the European powers, unable 20
act in concert through their own jeal-
ousies. 1t has established factories and
subsidized private enterprises. The rail-
road and the telegraph are Recognized as
vital instruments OF national power.
Conscious OF its strength, il enters upon
campaign of conquest, and, trained in
political sublety, it seeks to heal die
ference OF domestic political parties by
a successful military campaign.
China stands apart in its denial OF all
progress. II has refused to receive the
skill and experience OF the west.
Here we have three canditione-India
developed by foreign capital, Japan de-
veloped by its own efforts and China
retrogressive in it's exclusiveness. What
has been the effect on the export trade
OF the three. taking the United States
as basis for comparison?
In 1921 the imports into the United
States from British India were 81. $50. 1893
There was little progress until 1852,
when 81 225 04l was touched. In 1893
the imports were $25. 1868 .554. In 1921
the imports from China were So, Ill 1852.
In 1852 the Imports had reached &c.,
500, 1000; in 1898. $50 $50 535.
Since 1871 Chinese trade has remain
ed about the same. In 1859 we imported
from Japan less than 100000; in 1893.
s27. asa. 22o. and Japanese export trade
to the United States has shown a nearly
unbroken increase in that period. 1t is
since 1852 that eastern exports to the
United States have become important.
The establishment OF treaty ports, the
settlement of California, the trade over
the isthmus and the construction OF the
Pacific railroads have proved important
factors in this development.
In addition to this, the fiscal policy OF
the United States has favored imports
from the east. More than 70 per cent
OF the total imports are admitted free of
duty. Tea. raw silk, crude camphor,
China mating. hides and skins, spices,
coffee. and seed oils, are all imported
without duty. No obstacle exists to the
growth OF eastern trade with the United
States on the part of this country. The
possibilities are coextensive with our
domestic market for eastern products.
The actually is limited only by the
competition Of other countries.
For the frat time since diplomatic re-
lations were begun, the United States
recognizes Japan as a sovereign state,
and our trade with the east naturally.
and uDder existing conditions, promised
to be concentrated in Japan. The issue
of the war may enforce this promise
Japan may seek to play in Asia the role
OF Great Britain in Europe. With the
prestige of victory, che has it in her
grasp to hold the balance of power in
Asia. VIVA. handful OF men, backed
up by this prestige. can accomplish in q
population OF vast numbers has been
ehown by English experience in India.
II Japan cannot hold the political gov
eminent OF China, she is in position to
exploit it commercially. 1t is in the
light OF the possible future dominance
of Japan in Asia that our new treaty
with Japan is to be com mended from
every point Of view.
Locally, the facts and opinions con-
tanned in the paper OF Mr.. Ford are OF
vast importance in estimating the pos.
abilities OF Los Angeles az q distrib.
uting point for the trade of the orient.
The tremendous increase OF this trade
is an unansverab.e argument in favor
of immediate aud persistent effort to
make San Pedro the import harbor OF
the Pacific coast, and the Utah railroad
one OF the lines tor transportation OF
the traffic. These three possibilities
with the completion of the Nicaragua
canal, are assurance OF a future for
Southern California that cannot be
equaled by any country where this
EASTERN trade has conferred. The con-
summation OF efforts now in progress
will produce results surpassing the
pslmy period Of the Venetian republic
and the age when the Mediterranean
was the imperial mart OF the worlds
commerce. 1t will shift the trade CEN
ters and revolutionizs the traffic of the
twentieth century.