The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-28
NEW RAILWAYS IN JAAPN.
"A Double Line to BE Constructed Be-
tween Tokyo and Kobe.
British Board of Trade journal

British Board of Trade Journal.
The Belgian vice consul at Yokohama
reports that railway construction in Jap
an, interrupted for time by the war has
again come TO the front since the conclu-
sion OF the peace with China. A sum of
100000 yen (silver yen, 524 cents on Oc-
tober /. 1850 has already been voted for
the construction of a double line from
Tokyo TO Kobe. This line is $50 English
miles long. and passes through the COM
mercial and Industrial centers OF japan
Yokohama, Kyoto. Osaka and Kobe
The japanese people take great inter
est in the extension Of their railway sys-
TEN. Before the war companies were be-
ing formed TO take up the railways run by
the government. but when war was de
clared IL was feared that the loans issued
for the struggle with China and fioated
in the interior Of the country. would i'm
pede the circulation OF capital and absorb
all the resources of Japan. and. in conse-
quence, at the close OF last year. the con-
struction OF most OF the new lines was
suspended for a time.
When IL was seen that the war would
probably not have any serious effect on
the trade and finance Of Japan. commerce
and Industry received new impetus be
fore the conclusion OF hostilities and now
this activity is seen in the construction Of
railways. numerous lines being projected
figures state that in March. 1885 there
were in Japan twenty-nine railway com
paaies which had obtained concessions
The total length OF line belonging 10 them
was then =, 1913 miles. Of which. however
only l,541 miles had been opened FOR traf-
IT,. The state railways not verv i'm
portaut. comprising only $50 miles OF line
completed and seS miles in course OF con
struction. and for which funds have been
voted. The total capital of the twenty
nine companies above mentioned is - 643 70
600 ven. ard that of the government lines
IS S.55i.o00 ven. some OF the companies
have not ar yet opened any line. These.
are the Hatsusi. Naniwa. Dogo. Mango.
Ota. Boso. Nara and Hasha. Their total
capital Is 1890 go yen.
Nine other companies have only part
81 their lines in working order. the sub
scribed capital not having been set all
paid uu. These are the Nippon. Sanyo.
kyushlu, Chikoku. Kwansaj. Osaka. Jyo.
Assume ana Hantau companies. The re
mainder. Viz, the Sanaki. Kobu. panko.
Ryomo. Haukai. Settsu. HashiTo Sangu.
Sano. Tobu and kawage companies work
all their lines for which concessions have
been obtained The capital Of these eleven
companies amounts 10 1925 0oo ven
The companies which have been seek
ing concessions have combined carital
OF A. ra,ooo ven. and some OF them have
lately published the clauses and condi-
tons Of their cah'er des charges as we'll
as notices Or tender for plant and rolling
stock Al the same time they a. not
make 81 an affair Of open competition. but
Apply "A restricted system, accepting only
tenders from accredited manufacturers
aad agents
In order that a business house ar fac
tory should 10 accredited. the goods that
they supply must have been .'9roved''-
that g. the manufacture or agent must
have proved The value Of his goods tn Jap
ara itself urlrss he can produce Ce~tta-
cstes ~ a kind as - dispense with such
proof For not wiShfnE Eo conform fo thts
custom. certain establishments have LOST
several large orders Tor Jauan n - quite
iifficUlf to get a footing in the Jaransss
market hut once obtained The clientele Is
stable enough English firms have rou7f
means o. adapting their interests te Jan
aeese demands and thus almost uonop-
oiize the orders FOR she material for state
railways
A. 81 IS. the Gathers des charges OF the
state ard ~ tha companies are co.u1f.irt-
Gated regularly go certain merchants and
representatives OF foreign uaBufactor7es.
= system which has not hen IN force long
as e short time ago one single Erzl}sa r~m
g, = stated transacted al the bus ness
connected Nith the Jsp&neso state rail
resisted and finally ~ was decided
"a distribute che tenders among ~ev.
sral nrrus of Different natinn4l.tiss
IN "a ROW. however no country has
succeeded in oUsTire Great britain ron,
her position as the furnisheE % rANRa..
plant AMI rolling stock.