The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-04


WAY this decrease OF over half million
dollars in the total value % goods import
ed from the United States 10 Osaka and
hoees ! asked tais question Of Mr.. Con-
molly, knowing that ats thorough knowl-
edge of the field qualified him 70 give an
answer worthy of attention. nor was I dis
appointed. for ne stated tee situation so
clearly and eoneisely that his reply COM
mends itself. Mr.. Connolly said:
Il am glad the Post-intelligencer has
had the enterprise 10 sens a man 10 this
field and l viii gladly render YOU any as
ststance within my power. | am glad you
ara going TO warn your readers that IL
they come In ques; Of a japanese
market they must come with goods
and with methods suited 10 this
market The large falling of IN the value
Of American imports during the year 1875
as compared with the preceding year Is in
my opinion. due in the main 10 the fact
that The agents OF tho competing markets
OF Europe are continually on the ground
with samples OF the merchandise they de-
sire TO sell, and are very willing 10 make
such goods as will suit the fancy of the
japanese purchaser. while American mer-
chants and manufacturers do not seem TO
think the trade worthy of the consideration
they give 10 very ordinary markets In the
United States. Many OF those 10 whom
have written requesting them 10 send their
otherwise properly equipped 10 sell goods.
have replied that 1t would be useless for
them 10 attempt 20 compete against goods
produced in the cheap labor countries Of
Europe. | am of opinion thar those who
make replies of this kind do not know and
have never In any practical way attempted
to find out the prevailing prices paid for
merchandise purchased by the Japanese in
the markets OF the world. In every in
stance when American merchants have bid
for japanese contracts, for supplies for
railroads. shipping. etc. since my residence
In Japan they have not only sSown their
ability 20 compete. but have in the ior-
fly OF cases secured the contracts and have
supplied the goods. The accompanying re-
turns plainly show the character OF goods
required by the Japanese. and IL American
producers could be induced TO eater for
japanese trade in the same manner that Is
| Characteristic OF their conduct OF the home
trade they would In the end find that they
T can successfully compete, and that the
! trade would prove a remunerative one.
| The japanese have no sentiment In trade
matters They are simply a plain. ener-
! getic thrifty people. who understand just
what they want and viii purchase where
they can do so the cheapest and best;
I hence II would be useless for any trade
representative 10 come TO Japan filled with
| the absurd idea that he will instruct the
/ and in the necessity OF changing their
/ ideas, or even whms. to conform with his
! "a TO the character and style OF merchan-
| disc required IL would. on the other hand.
/ be wise for both the principal
and the representative 20 make up
their minds notwithstanding what
ever they may have read of Jap
anese Granddaughter by men who have
spent few months in Japan hasking In
the sunshine OF Japanese courtesy, polite
ness and hospitality, and then proceed 20
their homes 20 enlighten the worid-on
Japan and the JapaneSe-that they are
about attempting the opening up Of trade
with a people as well trained In all mat
ters relating TO trade as they are them
selves. who Will not be imposed upon. and
who well understand and can ably perform
a part similar TO that OF Joseph in the great
play OF Richelieu. II would also be wei
TO remember that the Japanese merchant
is not an iiIiterate man that he has the use
OF the telegraph and tho newspaper-to-
gether with the practical experience OBJ
tanned from his long years OF dealing with
the principal mercantile houses OF Eu-
rope" HERBERT l. BRUCE