The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-19

mala, Seattle aaA Alaska, Seaftie
and the slocan--Qaeea City More
Prosperous Than since lss2-One
Of the treat Perts Of the Pacific.
Hon. Thomas Burke. general counsel
for the Great Northern, was IN 81 PAU
last Friday, en- route 10 New York, where
he goes 10 meet Mrs. Burke. who is re-
turning from Europe. Judge Burke was
interviewed by the Pioneer Press, and the
significant heading of the article started
out with: Seattle and Siberia. Seattle
and Hongkong, Seattle and Guatemala.
Seattle and Alaska. Seattle and the Sio-
can The interview continues:
These surprising combinations have re-
Gently been developed into permanent
trade channels. And so II has come
10 pass that our people are more
prosperous this spring than at any
time since 1ss2. We are going TO be one
OF the great ports of the Pacific. Geo
graphical situation, as with all notable
seaports, Is at the bottom OF our sue
cess But our legitimate reward might
have been long delay by business depres-
sion and other temporary causes. IL Is
10 the Great Northern railroad that We
owe our biggest boost In the right direc-
ton. For years the Northern Pacific
tried to kill the town ia order TO build
up Tacoma, their own port further south.
The freight rates to Seattle were destruc-
ton itself.
"But our location was always In our
favor Situated on the east shore OF
Puget sound, and in the very midst OF
innumerable iniets and rivers. We were
able to maintain, and even to build
profitably ourselves. large feet OF small
fAx fer htfaer
trade. Our shipping was famous then as
the mosquito feet. But the mosquito
fleet saved our commercial lives. IL went
wandering about like a genuine Phoeni-
clan navy into all the hooks and crannies
of the Sound. out along the straits, and
away up every little or big river that
could be reached. Well, when settlers
came along they soon saw the wisdom OF
locating In some OF these valleys or along
some of these inlets. In that way they
were sure TO have cheap water communi-
cation. with a good market for the prod
ucts, and they would be independent of
the single railroad system. Then Mr..
Hill came in with his line and began TO
deal with US in strictly business-like fash
Ion. Everybody was treated alike. and
we were not charged rates out of all rea-
son. For this reason the Seattle people
viii always consider Mr.. Hin their friend.
II
ed In making Seattle the American ter
minus OF a big steamship line, OF the Nip
pom Yusen Kaisha, Japanese steamship
line that viii soon be more important
In the far East than even the noted Pen
insalar a. Oriental the old p & o.
sSeattie's previous advances weren't
too kindly received by rival ports. The
establishment OF a great Oriental line at
fracted attention throughout the world,
H. 4. IL h.nt
her head with sand and fieas. And there s
good reason for Frisco to fret. The Nip
pom Yusen has already got lines in opera
ton between Japan and vladiyostok. and
China, and India, and Australia, and
Europe. and America. They are building
on the Clyde twelve first-ciass steamers
each measuring SEQ tons. Some of the
new boats will start out this summer.
The p. & o. will soon be eciipsed. AL
though the Nippon company is owned en-
tirely by Japanese capital, 1t Is very well
managed. and Ii receives big subsidy
from the Japanese government. Some
OF the vessels like those coming 10 Amer
lea, have English captains, but the sail
ors and servants on board are all Japa-
nese, and they are as good as they make
'em.
This big line. SO recently started. has
already worked up an extensive business
with Seattle. Why. we have three steam
ers last month within twenty-eight days
Every boat left Seattle loaded TO its fun
capacity. OF course. the exports were
mostly from the Eastern states. but Seat
tie herself sent out lot of -four and lum-
Der and miscellaneous merchandise. The
Oriental Trading Company and several
other exporting concerns have been or
gained in our town lately. They have
begun modestly, but they're bound TO sue
heavily TO Niadivostok the Russian
naval station In Siberia, and we're send
ing a good many exports TO China and TO
japan. On top OF this Oriental trade we
have nursed up fattering business with
Guatemala We send down n variety Of
articles. including lumber and -four and
get back heavy cargoes Of South Ameri-
ton between Japan and yladivostok, and
can products. especially. of course Guate-
maia's coffee. And then. in the opposite
direction. there Is increasing intercourse
between Seattle and Alaska. Our trade
with the Alaskan mining and fishing
regions Is much bigger this spring. Final
~ we're taking a comfortable share Of or
ders from the miners of British Columbia
you can sec that as times 20 Seattle
has no reason 10 frown at fate But our
business. though steadily growing. is so
far. very sound and not on a speculative
basis. AhNfeS great possibilities In the
Orient for US. " only congress will have
the prudence not "a disturb relations hy
an iIl-sdvised tariff on articles imported
from Japan and China. Without doubt
as Mr.. Hin said not long ago II will be
possible 10 educate the Oriental into using
wheat -four instead Of rice. That change
would not only improve the OrientaTs
physique. but would bewet liking for
a varied and substantial diet soon the
Pacific coast might be exporting ali IT'S
surplus grain TO the East, instead Of TO
Liverpool Then the difference would be
noticeable in Mark Lane, and the price
OF wheat would be stiSened throughout
the world for the benefit OF Minnesota
and the Dakofas no less than for Wash
ington and California
A great many things that are contained
in Judge Burke's remarks are well known
in Seattle. but II Is gratifying 70 know
that the gospel that r. universal in this
city Is being SO well preached abroad.