The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-15
NEW WHEAT MARKET.
The Mongolians are Learning to Eat
Wheat Bread

washington, july 15.-Some import
ant data as to the possibilities of the
material extension of the foreign mar
kets for our cereals is given in a re-
port of the agricultural department
| Asia"
Owing to the rapid recent develop
ment of new wheat producing areas in
| Other parts of the world and the in
cceas1ng competition the United States
| is compelled to meet in European mar
kets, the future disposal of our surplus
| wheat has become an important ques-
| ton.
1t has been suggested that the
| changes now taking place in the civil
1zat1onS of China and Japan may result
| in the opening there of markets for our
| wheat that will to some extent COM
| pensate US for losses that may be in
! CURED through the increa sing competi-
ton of other countries in the European
markets that this country formerly was
| able to control.
The report says that chief among the
| indications of the plausibility of the
| suggestion is the reTnarka BILE increase
in our expectations Of wheat to eastern
Asia during the decade just closing.
| Most of this wheat is shipped in the
| form of flour, exports of grain being
| comparatively small. The total amount
! of wheat flour shipped to Japan and
China during the entire fiscal year just
| closed should reach, it is stated, above
a million barrels, equivalent to more
| than 4, 500, 900 bushels of wheat The
| major portion of American flour sent
across the Pacific goes to Hong Kong
| and is thence distributed to other Chi
nese ports. Exports of flour to Japan,
| while considerably. smaller than to
! China. show an increase during the last
few years proportionately even greater
| than China.
1t is estimated that the total exports
| of wheat flour from this country to ia
| pan during the fiscal year just ended
| amounted to 100000 barrels. The ex-
| ports of wheat in the grain have been
| chiefly to Japan. American wheat is
| also sent to eastern Asia in the form of
| bread and biscuits, but not in very large
| quantities. Official statistics indicate
| that the capacity of Japan for wheat
| production has not increased common
| showing constantly increasing depend
| erce upon the wheat fields of other
| countries for its supply. There is abun-
! dant statistical evidence, it is cited, TO
| show that the amount of wheat con-
sumed per inha bitant in Japan is stead
| lily increasing. AS the years go by the
| Japanese diet doubtless will become
| gradually changed to accord with
| American and European customs, and
| this means larger wheat consumption.
| Wheat consumption in China also is in
| creasing. When that great nation of
| 40o, 000, 900 people is once fairly opened
believes the possibilities of the situation
| that may result can hardly be over-es-
! TINA ted. The report concludes:
| Clearly then, these Oriental countries
are well worth the attention of the
| American wheat grower, especially now
| that Russia, Argentina and other great
wheat producing countries are Compel
| ing with us so strongly for the Euro
| pean market. It may be that in the fu-
| t11re eastern Asia will afford field
| enough for the disposal of our surplus
wheat to offset all possible losses in the
I markets of Europe.