The San Francisco call., 1895-12-18

land, as well as in Scotland. The informa
ton which he has gathered abroad, he
hopes so he said yesterday, to put to the
best possible use in his own country.
He also considers Japan ripe field for
Christian teachers. The doctor is exceed
ingly well informed on the commercial
and other interests of japan. He regrets,
so he says, that there is not greater trade
between that empire and the United
States.
"People on the Pacific Coast wonder"
he said, that Japan does not buy more
goods in this country. 1t is easily ex
planned. 1t is because the freight rates
are so high between the two countries.
The result is that England has been get
ting nearly all the business.
"We can get goods from England for
practically one-third of the freight tariff
that we can from America. 1t is much the
same with passenger rates. When | am in
New York, as was the other day, can
20 from that city across the Atlantic to
Liverpool and on around east to my home
in Toxic for $40.
"Bu: to cross the American continent to
San Francisco and go on to Toxic. though
the distance is only about one-third as
great, am obliged to pay $500. So, too, 1
can cross the Atlantic from New York to
Liverpool and back for $45. But if 1 want
to cross the Pacific from San Francisco to
Toxic and return l must pay about $3.50.
1t is such contrasts as these standing out
hard against us that cause us to buy Eng
lish goods and travel by way of England.
'lf | am in New York and want to send
little package of goods to Toxic, the cost
by way of Liverpool will be only about one
third what it would be via this City. There
is big difference against business here, no
matter how you look tit. If these freight
and passenger rates could be reduced,
Japan would very gladly trade to far
greater extent with America.
There are many new agricultural pro-
ductions and mechanical contrivances from
America in Japan, but they are almost all
imported through English merchants.
Japan has also spent several hundred
thousand dollars for fancy chickens, horses
and hogs, in the United States; the cattle
coming largely from Nevada, Wyoming,
California and such States as Indiana and
Kentucky. They were all obtained through
English merchants, aided by few specu-
lators in Toxic. We now buy also cotton
from the Southern States, through the
London merchants.
1.-THE West Virginia and Alabama iron
will be imported in japan from this coun-
try, but it will be through London, / sup
pose.
"In my own opinion. San Francisco is
no longer the first port for trade between
the United States and Japan. 1t is already
manifested in japanese travellers and ship
| ments of the japanese merchants, for both
import and export. They do it through
London and the Suez canal generally, for
it is about one-half the rates Of the Pacific.
If they need to make haste they ship from
| Vancouver instead of San Francisco.
Japanese travellers and visitors come to
the United States now by Vancouver and
return by Europe or the same.
"Many Japanese come here because the
wages are better than any other part of the
country, but the trading is not. The over
land railroad rates and the steamship rates
should therefore be lowered.
''You have certainly fine opportunity
to get the trade of Japan. The cotton and
iron Of the Southern States, which Japan
is now about ready to import. should all
| come here via the Union and South
ern Pacific roads. 1t will, and the
business of San Francisco will be enor-
mously increased, if only the railroads and
| steamships will reduce traffic charges, so
that our country can get what it needs di-
rect from you"
Mr.. Takado will sail for home Saturday
in the City OF Peking.