New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-13
JAPAN A DANGEROUS RIVAL
JAMES r KEENE TALKS ABOUT HEN
GROWING INDUSTRIES.
CHEAP LABOR AND THE INITIATIVE TRAITS of
THAT PEOPLE IN TURNING OUT MACHINERY
AND ITS PRODUCTS A SERIOUS MENACE


THAT PEOPLE IN TURNING OUT MAcHlNEN'
AND ITS PRODUCTS A SERIOUS MENACE
TO AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS
lanes r. Keene told some facts to a Tribune
porter yesterday afternoon ABOUT ~. make
yances which Japanese commerce PROMISES ,rtrv
Mr.. Keene confined his remarks TO Japan coun' =.
he has visited. and With the resou'' -
familiar 49,, .,vrtrv
II. said. There are few persons In tnis cou'.
who realize the dangers that threaten th's oou
through competition with japan. In no 49, =,
in the world Is skilled labor so cheap 90
ia in the land OF the Mlkado At the present '',,e
,hh,,an,s ~ Janan are inflated with pride
over rho successes gained on both land ana sea Il.
m. recent conflict with China. 1t Is the al" VI
every intelligent Japanese to, make MS oou"I'
OF the foremost nations In the woriu' ~ 49,
plsh this object the farseeing statesmen Oh '"p@
have introduced the manufacture OF all Classes y.
,ahr,cs When the wave Of depression passed
over this country few years ago. owing 10 'no
practical repeal Of the Mckinley lariH laws ''
Of the factories in this country were io'ceu " 90
pend operations and to keep their machinery i'o
at great loss to both proprietors ana enp'o''
Japanese agents secured the country, and whenever
nossibe purchas ed tn. entire plant Of various man
ufactories that were stocked with the latest MOD
ern machinery. These agents shipped the machinery
to Japan, where manufacturing plants were eS'"p
lished. Moreover, these agents obtained samples VI
implements. These plants. owing to the initiative
powers OF the Japanese. duplicated many
times over In machinery made by japanese LABOR
The markets Of the world were searched' ana speo'
mems Of every manufactured commodity that couo
be duplicated in Japan were secured. ana FACTOR
scattered all over Japan began to reproduce the"
a, n marvellous rate Specimens Of Japanese manu-
featured goods were placed upon the markets OF
the world and closely were the original patterns
reproduced that experts were unaoIe 70 Gnmsnv
France or the United States from similar articles
manufactured In Japan n.
itself to al thinking Americans who desire tne
general prosperity Of this country hy,paS
knows that wherever manufactures are estaDllsheu
they contribute materially to the general weliare;
In riding the trains that traverse tne ehsh an, dn
breadth of this great country the Traveller tndt
looks out of the car windows is forced to notice the
animation and hustle that exist bere ape
banks, schools. stores and a general ar OF PlUs
pery The farmer in the Ss nroS1ce
while others at distance are benefited inurec'Iy
by home demand for pIdsncs OF at the ten cents
day. and every man. woman and child on the island
Empire is a worker Consequently the nation Is
with cheap labor and its natural ADVANTAGES s
Japan threatens the manufacturing interests OF
England. Germany and France (where labor IS
cheaper by one-haf than in this country 70 sucn
an extent that the pG arsa % he Situation and
arc actively engaged in preventing serious
II not labor revolution owing TO the con rPvd
~ tho foremost nation In the East The England
~ the East as Japan is frequently termed. IS IN
the markets OF the world to stay Ihete are mo
~ manufacturers are stamped upon all cases OF
articles with impunity Hence there are nass
in Germany or in England that are really tne re-
suit OF labor of artisans In Japan II tne nd iet csr
many are threatened by japan. how mucn more
serious is the threatened danger 10 american and md
should be protected from humiliation by cohpe'-
ton with labor that costs but 10 cents a Gay
he
stems should be taken 10 preserve the lhtereSrs VI
American manufacturers and their employees. Inere
are agents from Japan In this city at the preseh.
tine Who are enieivorlng 10 form syndicate OF
wealthy men for the purpose of establishing manu-
factories in japan to aid In destroying the IN
dns,ries Of America II Is likely that their EFFORTS
vii be crowned with success. The salvation OF
American industries depends upon the people tnem-
selves Unless immediate action Is taken 10 pre-
vent an Invasion OF the products OF the cheap appr
~ Janan II may require years 10 repair tne IN
trr,es that are likely to be inflicted upon our IN
dustrles"