The herald., 1896-06-10

merce of the world. While have spent
far too little time in that fascinating
country, the opportunities afforded me
for study were satisfactory. l have.
therefore, been able to collect vast
amount of valuable data on all branches
of industry. I was greatly impressed
with the progressive spirit of the Jap
anese officials whom l met at the en-
peror's garden party"
Mr.. Porter says that the statistical So
ciety of Toxic furnished him valuable
material. He was impressed with the
fact that nearly all the prominent men
and women he met, including the en-
peror, were dressed in European cos
tune.
During my stay in Japan" he said.
Il think I visited more than two hun
dred mills. factories and shops. covering
every important industry. The general
letter held from the American minis
ter secured admission everywhere In
some cases the proprietors not only gave
me all available data, even to the prof
its of their business. but personally took
photographs of their mills and machin-
cry that I might inform my American
friends of the industrial progress of
Japan"
The investigator covered pretty thor
oughly the main island Of Japan, also
the north central and southern portions
The main island represents population
of S5.000,O00 or 100000. including For
mosa.
'The weaving or spinning of textiles"
says Mr.. Porter, Constitutes the most
important industry of Japan. There are
fully million weavers returned In the
census, 950,000 females. This tremen-
dous force Of weavers has enabled ia
pan. not only to supply nearly all her
own wants. but swell her exports Of
textiles from $511 $3.50 in 1885 to s22, III 626
in 1895, an inrease of more than forty
fold.
I'm the investigation of the silk indus
try 1 spent some time where I found the
current wages for female weavers from
3 to cents per day for young girls to 10
and 10 cents for expert weavers. also
paid particular attention to cotton SPIN
ming and weaving. I see no reason why
the exports Of cotton to India and China
will not reach $50. 900, 900 before another
decade. The total value Of the textile in
dustry Of Japan may, reach nearly $780,
100000 this year.
Some of the other industries visited
were the rugmakers of the country
where found children of and work.
ing for cent day, and 3 to cents a
day were current wages for a day of
twelve to fourteen hours. In some of
the manufacturing regions the schools
had been depopuiated to one-third of
their former number that there might
be a supply Of children to make mat
ting. Japan can also beat the world on
tooth brushes. have samples that cost
less than 81 per gross. The best quality
cost only 81 per gross.
The wonder to me Is that Japan has
become so important q manufacturer
without being purchasing country"
Speaking of the foreign trade, the stu
dent of figures says: "Japan's foreign
trade has gone from $4,000, 900. in 1885 to
$296, 6,000.0 900 in 1895, which is nearly half
the Pacific trade. In my opinion 1t is
sure to increase as Japan secures more
and more of the Asiatic markets"
AS an old newspaper man, Mr.. Porter
objects to the way the government treats
newspapers. ITO class organs of publi.
opinion and education with occupations
that are regulated by the police is a
great mistake. The chief of police of
each city has the power to suspend the
publication of any newspaper at will,
and the right Is not infreuuently exer,
cised, as the reports show"
1t struck the statistician as a bad
sign that man in Japan may get d.
vorce from his wife on the ground of
"talkativeness," and that there are one
third as many divorces as marriages.
But in spite Of many odd customs and
evil laws, the American student of ia
panese customs sees signs of progress
for the future. He believes the country.
however, will soon be driven to pay bet
ter wages, do away with child labor and
abolish long and almost inhuman
hours."-San Francisco Chronicle.