The San Francisco call., 1896-01-17

goods are ct present imported almost entirely
by the steamer routes and as near as can be as
eertained pay freight from Yokohama to San
francisco on an average approaching So per
ton weight or measurement at ships option,
except perchance upon matches OF watches
which rate higher.
Upon all of the articles named rates per 100
pounds from Yokohama to Eastern destina-
tlons through this port viii range from 81 90
pei, 100 pounds TO So 80 per 100 pounds, and
viii vary from steamer to steamer.
Frelghts from Japan to New York have in
the last year reached the lowest known ebb,
ranging as low as 40 shillings per ton measure
ment 1t Will at once be seen tina rates and
facilities for transportation between this coun-
try and Japan are consistent and adequate for
the handling of any volume of trade, be it
great or little.
Again, scrutinizing the articles under con-
slderation, it is found that the tariff of the
united States provides duty upon the same
ranging from 20 TO 40 per cent, that duty being
the same as levied upon the same articles
whether originating in Japan or any other
foreign country.
On the other hand, large quantities of the
articles under consideration are now being
imported from other countries than Japan, the
imports from Japan by comparison being but q
crop IN the bucket.
1t does not seem reasonable nor is it logical
reasoning to suppose that Japan has thus,
meteor-like, sprung into the front rank of
manufacturing at one bound.
England, the greatest exporter of manufac-
lures in the world has reached supremacy
through thousand years of experience and
,
committee, therefore, that we are nticipating
the course OF events by many years In belieV-
ing Japan capable, that is, able to compete
with us for many years to come.
We read in the daily papers of a proposed
meeting OF manufacturers TO be held in Chi
cago shortly, at which ii is expected 5000
representatives will be present from all parts
OF the United States, and it is advanced as q
good idea that they organize for the purpose,
among other things, OF pushing the sale of our
manufactures in South America, Japan, China
and other countries.
The balance OF trade to-day with the United
States is in favor of Japan This is entirely
from the fact of our heavy imports of tea and
I raw silk. Yet with increasing consumption of
our cotton in Japan and prospects OF sale OF
our manufactured goods in that country it is
not without the bounds of possibility to vet
write the balance on the other side With all
these facts in view your committee is of the
opinion, and would take the liberty of ex-
pressing the same, that any draWbac or un-
timely move which would antagonize our best
! interests in Japan taken at this time should be
avoided; and further that it is the sense OF
this committee that our representa- tfves in Con-
greSs should be pressed to endeavor TO ave a
commission appointed by our Government to
! visit Japan and properly report in detail upon
the resources OF that country to compete with
our home manufactures and in our own mar
kets.
We believe that vital point will be con-
served If a new treaty can be negotiated with
Japan, and that therein shall be embodied a
clause making the patent laws reciprocal.
Inc present treaty, In effect since 1862, un-
douptedly Is not adequate to cover the changed
conditions and trade relations which have
sprung up since it's enactment
All of which is very respectfully submitted.
w. B. CURTIS,
JULIAN SoNNTAG.
The committee after some discussion ac-
cepted the report. 1t was decided TO in
vite Colonel Crocker to address the COM
mittee at the next meeting, which will be
held Thursday of next week, at P. NJ.
William f. Bowers, Wakefield Baker
and William Rutherford of the sub-com-
mittee on amount of exports and imports
had not finished their work and came in
after the meeting had adjourned to ask
for further time.