The San Francisco call., 1896-07-30
The President of the Japanese
Company Making a Close
Investigation.
PLANS OF HIS CORPORATION.
Ready TO Build and Operate a Number
of Five.Thousand.T Ton Steamers
Across the Pacific.


Coast port of the United States.
There was conference yesterday at the
Palace Hotel between Sachiro Asano,
president of the Japanese Steamship Com
pany, and w. 3. Curtis, traffic manager of
the Traffic Association, at which Consul
Koyo and his American confidential
adviser were also present. These gentle
men were closeted together for several
hours, the conversation relating to the
commercial and transportation situation
OF San Francisco, so far as 1t related to the
project under consideration by the COM
pany OF which Asano is the bead.
The latter gentleman is unable to con-
verse in English, and the discussion of the
great question at issue was carried on by
means OF an interpreter. President Asano,
by his questions and general method of
investigation, showed a remarkable ia
miliarity with the local situation. Many
pointed questions were asked regarding
the community of interests existing be-
tween the Southern Pacific Company, the
Pacific Mail Steamship Company and the
Occidental and Oriental Steamship Com
pany. President Asano wanted to know
who were the stockh olders and officers of
these different Huntington properties, and
by what particular interest each was
controlled.
sAAC dlcO WCnb AhtO thC
tages OF this port from every standpoint
and the only serious stumbling block that
he appeared to perceive was the manner in
which the Southern Pacific Company was
tied up to the steamship lines now operat-
ing from this port 10 the Orient. 1t seemed
i'm possible for him to comprehend how
his company could expect any encourage
rrent or fair treatment from the Southern
Pacific under the circumstances.
In order to make Asanos mind clear on
this point an early interview is to be ar
ranged between him and one of the traffic
officials of the railroad company. This
will be brought about through the me-
dunn of Traffic Manager Curtis, who will
also be present during the conference,
and who will do all in his power to have
both parties reach mutually satisfactory
understanding.
MY interview with President Asano
was more in the nature of an advisory
conference than to come TO any definite
conclusion" said Traffic Manager Curtis
yesterday In referring TO his meeting. with
the Japanese steamship company's chief
officer. 81 simply laid the general situa-
tion before him as it exists at this port in
the matter of San Franchises many ad-
vantages as terminus for his projected
line.
II am firmly of the opinion that his
company can get proper arrangement
out of the Southern Pacific Comp mpany-one
that will enable it to do business with this
port In fact / don't think the Southern
Pacific Company can afford to put any
obstacles in the way of its coming here,
as to do so would be direct bid Tor the
advancement of San Diego as a competi-
tor for Asiatic business. As a matter of
fact there are already too many competi-
tors for this business at ports other than
San Francisco.
ut is evident that they have not made
any arrangement or come to any under
standing with any other port and that the
matter is still open for settlement.
1.-THE conversation between Mr. Asano
and myself was puyely as to the induce
ments and advantages that would be held
out TO his company to come here. The
question was not asked him whether he
would or would not run his line to this
port. / explained the nature of the ar
rangement existing between the present
steamer lines and the railroad for
handling through business, and before he
leaves for New York, which he will do
after he returns here from San Diego, we
will have an interview with the Southern
Pacific people, so that Mr.. Asano may
know precisely what terms they will
agree to.
HE has asked for some information
relative to the commerce of this port,
which shall prepare for him, along with
other things the business through this
port during the last three years. He also
asked for information as to whether line
could be operated between Yokohama
San Diego and San Francisco, without
coming in conflict with our shipping laws.
The idea is not to have the company do
any business between San Francisco and
San Diego, but simply between the Jap
anese port and both these California
cities"
The purpose of the visit to this coas,
was explained yesterday by III. Kobashi
and A. Okawa, members of the party now
at the Palace Hotel with s. Asano. Mr..
Kobashi said:
"Mr. Asano is president of what in Eng
lish would be the Oriental Steamship
Company. IL was recently organized with
q capital OF 81, ,500, 900 owned by Toxic anu
Yokohama capitalists, ali Japanese, for,
according to law in our country, for
eigners are not permitted to take any share
/ in such business.
at is the trade we.want more than the
fine port. Wherever we can make the
most that is the place for our terminus
les, IL We could get all the trade we would
take ii. We know we would have TO COM
pete. We are willing TO. But wherever
! we land on the coast we must have an un-
derstanding in regard TO transportation
rates with the railroads. The coastine
trade Is not very valuable.
1T is question of great importance to
us, this port business. We must know
what business, what traffic we are going
to get before We decide upon place, for
when we once come it is to stay. There
will be no withdrawing then.
1--WE will consider all the ports care
fully.
"The company has not yet built any
steamers. The intention is to have twelve
steamers of 5000 tons each. Where they
will be built is simply matter of where Il
is cheapest. The company intends to run
one line direct to Europe by way of the
Suez canal, and another to some port on
the Pacific Coast OF the United States.
Not over 10 per cent OF the commerce
OF Japan is handled to-day by Japanese
steamers. The Government thinks that
the national com merce should be in
creased and it is willing to offer hand
some bonus to each new company. Then,
too, we want to increase our trade rela-