The San Francisco call., 1896-07-02

pleasantly discussed yesterday by Kokichi
Sonoda, the president of the Yokohama
Specie Bank. He is now making a tour
OF the several agencies of the bank in
America, Europe and Asia. Within a
week or ten days he will leave this City
for New York and go thence to London,
where he will make the requisite arrange
ments for the receipt of the next install
ment of the big war debt. which China is
resignedly liquidating and Japan is cheer
fully receiving.
The total indemnity" said MIR. So
noda." sis 200, ,00O, 900 taels, or about f30.-
600. 900 sterling. OF this sum, two INSTALL
ments, amounting to 100, 600 600 taels, have
already been received by Japan. All of
this money has to be handled by our
bank, which shows that we possess the
confidence of the Bank of Japan. for
which corporation we act as agent. For
surrepdering possession of the peninsula
OF Liau-Tong our Government also gets
80, 100000 taels, and China pays us 500, 900
taels yearly while troops are stationed
at Wal Hal Wal. When money is re-
ceiyed in payment of the indemnity it is
at first deposited in the Bank OF England
and used subsequently as may be required.
"The ports OF China are easier of access
since the close OF the late war. Various
manufacturing industries are now rapidly
springing up in that country and foreign
capital will be required for their develop
ment, Already there are a half dozen cot
ton factories in Shanghai, and the result
will be a brisk commercial competition
between China and japan. The more we
produce and the more we sell the more
we must buy, and our importations of cot
ton from your country will naturally in
crease. Trade in Japan has received q
fCNrr -
sure TO get its share, but we wish to 60 as
steadily as possible and not too fast, for
fear we may fall down.
II am satisfied that a new steamship
line will be established before long be-
tween Japan and the United States, To i'm
prove the commerce between these coun-
tries freight rates must be reduced insur-
ance cheapened ana better banking facili-
ties provided. We, as bankers, are doing
the best we can to extend our trade with
your Nation. At all times our relations
with America have been of the most
friendly nature, but with England we feel
that circumstances might make of her
either friend or a foe. There is no
weather-cock to tell US in which direction
the wind is blowing.
'It is very probable that Japan NAV
give the Union Iron Works of your City a
battle-ship contract. It is mainly q con-
slderation of business as to whether our
ships will be built in the United States or
England. The shorter distance from
Japan is in favor of your country, and
then in the event of war in Europe it
would also be preferable for us to get our
ships from you.
1.-THE Yokohama Specie Bank was in
corporated under special charter sixteen
years ago. Its chief aim is to give ali pos
sible facilities to our foreign trade and
commerce. 1t is the only corporation of
its class now in existence in japan.
eve do very heavy exchange business
and have agencies in New York, London.
San Francisco, Honolulu, Lyons, Bombay
and Shanghai We also have correspon-
dents in the principal commercial cities of
America, Europe and Asia. A new agency
will soon be established in Hongkong.
In March last our capital was increased
from 100000 to 1900. 600 yen and this
year our reserve fund will exceed 1000. 600
yen.
Mr.. Sonoda has an excellent English
education. He has been in the diploma