The herald., 1896-02-09
JAPANESE COMPETITION

A certain class of half baked states
men and superficial editors, such as
make up the leadership Of those still
welded to the somewhat passe theory
of protection, are sounding loud
alarm about the threatened deluge of
Japanese goods. In other words, ac-
cording to these priests OF Mongolian-
ism the prosperity and even the exist
ence of the American people are imper-
lied by the possibility of getting, in
spite Of the present tariff walls, things
that satisfy wants, comfort and taste
too easily. Presumably the people
would be more prosperous and be as
sured Of more enduring existence if
the things they need and desire were
made more difficult to obtain.
1t is fact that the Japanese prom
ise to sell certain kinds of goods to US
cheaper thsn we can purchase them in
other countries or make them in this.
The last few years have seen wonder
ful industrial developments in Japan.
They have also witnessed in the empire
q greater economic advance than has
occurred in the same period in this
country. Contrary to the tenets of
McKinleyism the Japanese are admit
ting free Of duty machinery and raw
materials Of all kinds. Being unem-
barrassed by the fear Of having too
much they encourage the importation
otlthese things. AS result Of this
sensible policy they give every indica-
tion Of speedily attaining a leading
plnce among the manufacturing peo-
Piles of the world OF course they are
seeking this market along with others,
and it is not only possible
but probable that their en-
trance may lead to some industrial
changes in this country. But such
changes as do occur will not be fer evil
but for good. If particular industries
in this country become Improbable as
the result Of Japanese competition
others will be correspondingly bene-
fited.
When the American people find they
cannot make some things as cheaply
as the Japanese, they will shift their
time, talent and labor to other chan
nels in which for natural reasons there
can be no Japanese competition.
Meth Japan nor any other country
can do all the work of the world. There
are certain fields for the employment
of the human faculties peculiar to
each country. Each country may excel
in its own particular fields, and no
country will enjoy in the fullest
measure possible, prosperity and con-
tentment until it has learned to con-
fine itself consistently to those lines
of production for which it is naturally
adapted. There has never been a more
delusive, dangerous, demoralizing
economic idea than the one which
teaches, that a country should pro-
duce directly all that it consumes
without regard to the laws of adap-
liability. Carried to it's logical con-
clusion it would destroy the most
potent factor in civilization-trade
Trade has done more to develop inter-
war than all the resolutions of all the
parliaments and peace congresses that
have assem- bled in the worlds history.
Trade is likewise the greatest of Ia
bor-saving devices, for it enables peo-
pie to devote themselves to the tasks
which their respective abilities and en-
viron nents fit them for and to eX-
change their prod ucts one with the
other until all have what they most de-
sire with the least expenditure of la
Dor. Thus, while 1t is fact that Or
anges may be grown in Indiana-in
spite of the frigidity Of Harrison-with
the assistance of the right kind of hot
houses, and they would be grown there
il by means Of a tariff or prohibitory
enactment their importation was pre-
vented, it is eDinently more sensible
for the people OF the Hoosier state tc
grow something else and exchange that
latter for California oranges.
The Japanese do not expect to ship
goods into this country, transport them
from seaboard to seaboard, open stores
in every TO vn and village and hire
clerks 10 take orders and porters to
distribute them frse gratis TO the peo-
pie. They are going to demand some.
thing ia rsturn, something that will
have to bo produced by American
lat or. It would be a splendid scheme
to induce the Japs to give away to us
the stuff they make, but the idea is i'm
practicable--they want pay. The fact
hat they demand pay is being evil
Aenoed in tho tremendous demand that