The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-18

He is accom- panied by his wife and child.
The new Minister is a middle-aged man,
and is slightly disposed to flesh. This is
his third visit to the United States, and
he speaks very good English, although
with the diplomatic hesitancy of one who
would not have his meaning misconstrued.
He discussed Japan's commercial inter
course, the competition Americans fear
from her manufactures, emigration, the
award of contracts for five new battle
ships and the large indemnity fund due
from China as result of the recent war.
The japanese, he says. have a very
kindly feeling for Americans, because the
United States was the first country to en-
ter into fair and equal treaty relations
with them. Were prices equal he thinks
Japan would favor this country in buying
raw materials and other goods, but senti-
ment is not a greater force in Japan than
it is in America when it comes to plain
business transaction. He says that the
Americans do not cater to Japanese trade
or any other foreign trade as do the Eng
Iish and the Germans, who take pains to
manufacture goods especially to suit their
foreign customers.
eve would prefer" he remarked, "to
buy in America, but we can get materials
much cheaper in England. If you made
your prices less we would buy here. You
are our greatest customer, but we buy
from you more than you buy from US"
Minister Hosho considers the competi-
rion of Japanese manufactures with Ameri-
can goods only scare without anything
in his country to warrant it. There has
not been, he declares, any great manu-
featuring impulse since or because of the
war.
He has read in American papers of
American factories in japan where very
cheap watches are made but at home he
could not learn that there were any such
factories. Japan is manufacturing large
number of bicycles and at low price, but
they are frail and would not be received in
America. In fact when the Japanese want
good machines they buy them in London
or in America. China is Japan's market
for small manufactured goods.
Fewer Japanese are emigrating to Amer
lea. They do not realize what they once
expected from the venture. Hawaii gets
most of the emigrants.
Mr.. Hosho thinks that about five years
hence all parts OF Japan will be opened
freely to foreign travellers without pass
ports Treaties with different countries
are being slowly revised to that purpose.
The Government decided last year to
build about five battle ships. Mr.. Hosho
not preiudiced in favor of any particular
country as the builder of her warships.
Where her designs can be followed for the
least money, there the contracts will
probably be awarded. Mr.. Hosho says the
model of the battle ship Oregon was on
exhibition in the War Department at
Toxic. He inspected the Oregon yester-
day with Mr.. Scott, and is very much
pleased with her.
In the Minister'S party are two Japanese
bankers. They are going to London on
business connected with the Chinese in
demnity fund of 100000 600 taels due
Japan as payment for the expense she in
Cured in the recent war.
I. Yamanato represents the National Bank
of Japan at Toxic and K. Sonoda, president
of the Specie Bank of Yokohama, is his
colleague. They purpose to make arrange
ments for the disposition of these funds in
England. the payments being due In Ber-
lin and London in gold.
China has already paid 300, 600, 600 taels,
or half of the total indemnity, together
with 800 100000 taels for the return of GER
tain territory captured during the war.
The adjustment of this business is
delicate matter, and one. if not carefully
conducted, that would affect the monetary
conditions Of the world through change
in the exchange rates.
Minister Hosho will start on Friday for
Washington. How long he will remain
there he cannot say, as he is not appointed
for any definite time.