The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-23
TRADE GROWING FAST
ADDITIONAL STEAMSHIPS NEEDED
BETWEEN SEATTLE AND JAPAN.
The Giant aEupauthaS Coming DE-
rect From kohe-Niif Arrive
Early in 5anunry-Nippon Yusen
kaishs Stockholders Enthusiast
tic Over the American Line.

VICTORIA, Dec. 2i.-Speclal.-Maa a3-
vices By the liner Empress Of India state
that. since the establishment Of the Nip
pom YUsea Kaisha between Seattle and
japan. the development OF trade has ex-
ceeded the expectations Of the promoters
OF the lire. The opening OF this connsc-
ton between the Orient and the Pacific
North west has proven a remarkable en-
terprise n more ways than ore.
That the company fully appreciates the
importance OF the opening OF this new
avenue OF trade Is evinesd by the share
holders, speedy and enthusiastic indorse-
ment OF the company report. and by the
action taken, on the part OF the company
the day following the meeting Of the
shareholders. Owing 10 the press OF trade
Il was decided 20 send another steamship
directly TO Seattle. not stopping at Homo
lulu as has hitherto been the custom. and
accordingly the big British steamship
AgapanIhas was selected and chartered
She sailed from Kobe for Seattle on De-
cember Is and will arrive on Puget sound
soon after New Years.
AT the semi-annual meeting of the great
Japanese steamship company the follow
ing report. referring 70 the Inauguration
OF the company's American service, was
submitted:
AS one OF the three lines decided upon
by the company, the service 10 Seattle,
Wash. L. s A. WAS opened in August.
The service was started with the view or
effectiug junction with the Great North
ern railway. which terminates at that
seaport. and which is regarded as being
the most perfectly organized through line
in that country, as We'll as the shortest
route TO the Eastern part OF the United
States. Negotiations had been conducted
with the railway company Tor many
years, and q definite agreement was ar
rived at by representatives OF the company
specially sent over in June A contract
was arranged for the joint CONVEYANCE OF
passengers and cargo By the two COM
panies. and for issuing through tickets
or bills Of lading between America and
Europe. on the one hand. and Japan.
China and other Eastern places on the
other.
COZ August the Mike Maru started
from Kobe. as the pioneer steamer or this
row line. and reached her destination ait
or calling at Yokohama and Hawaii Since
that time the service has been continued
once month between Hongkong and Sc
attic. ard during the haI year under con-
sideration two steamers have been en-
pioged for 30. The enterprise not having
yet passed the inception stage, and more
over the tea season having been past
when the service was Initiated. the car
goes on outward voyages have been Tar
smaller than those obtained on the nome
ward route. But when junction IS regu-
larly established beween China and Nladi-
VostOck and new steamers of greater
speed are employed both passengers and
cargo viii doubtless be attracted 10 a
greater extent
There are three oths- companies en-
gagged IN shipping business between the
American continent and Asia. and II VIII
prove a difficult task for the company
TO establish this new enterprise on pro-
htable basis. But the line being an I'M
portant highway for connecting the West
ern ard Eastern hemisrnerss ana LOT
furthering the developm ent OF the nation
al resources. the company, for the sake
OF the object attainable by the service
must be prepared to experience consid-
cradle hardship"
The stockholders una 1imously and with
applause indorsed the report.