The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-07-05

the great cor-e-c3a! rzstons, immediate
and ns-osc measures VIII have 20 b. sakPa
80 negative he rapidly crySsaliring op4n-
Ser entertained By ne great majority cf
those engaged n trade villa them. name
~ that they 1rs frsince-e IL their trade
relations; that they have li-ils or 10 r.
s1>ec- FOR The asscresuess o. contract er9
finally that ire laws G. the empire Telst-
ing - contract liabilities are nos admin
.steresi in 4 ube-ai ard impartial manner.
Il Is exceedingly difficult. Re says. 20
conceive how = people ike The japanese.
who have made such rapid strides in al
the essentials that tend 10 advanced CIV
flIzsGion and who have shown such al
nsirabie qualities Of bocy and alnd under
most trying circumstances. ~iu permit
the continuance Of the alleged causes fhat
have IeG Up 20 The azsailing Of the CON-
rnerciai prob.ty. not OF = few. hlit Of those
generally engaged in trade; as they are
well aware Ihst the bread laws that con-
troll IN trade and commerce are integral
parts Of. co-extens!Ye with. all necessary
70 oa. common civilization and its raAte-
aware OF the fac; that living within. and
under such laws broad and liberal as they
are. Is the only sure means by which the
end SC particularly desired by them can
be attained: while on the other hand
Wholesale evasion Of such laws can only
bring with IT unfortunate and rulnous re-
suits
The value Of the exports from Japan for
The year ISIS shows a tainng-of OF ls.2ss.-
IL yen. as compared with that % the pre-
vious year The commodities that show
the heaviest faillns-off are. SILK, raw and
manufactured. TIA. rugs. and curios Of all
kinds.
The people OF Japan have had many
perplexiHg difficulties 10 sIrmount during
the year 1856. al OF which had a tendency
10 more or less affect their export trade.
Col. Connolly deems the following as par
ucuiariy entitled TO mention: Seismic dis
tGrbanoes resulting IT enormous loss %
life and property; an unusually large and
destructive rainfall: change in the admin
istration OF government affairs. etrin-
gency in the money market induced by
misrepresentation and other causes; over
confidence on the part Of manufacturers.
through which the quality OF their produc-
tons was not maintained. fuctuation in
prices OF japanese staples such as silk
and tea. which forced buyers 10 make
greatly reduced purchases, ii any, and
finally labor difficulties. arising from
scarcity Of skilled labor. and un,imeIy de-
mands OF al! grades OF labor for increased
remuneration.
Regarding the disturbing elements OF
the year 1895, hereinbetore referred 10, the
consul says he cannot conclude his report
without expressing his profound admira-
ton % the marvellous patience. energy and
moral courage displayed by the people of
Japan under such adverse circumstances.
and more particularly Of the conduct of
those engaged In trade pursuits. who in
many instances, without complaint were
forced 10 see crumble away the accumua-
tons of the thirty years that they had
been permitted 10 trade with the outside
world. He is. however. Of the opinion
that the lessons of lse5 viii prove 10 he
salutary ones and t1at tho trade of 1894
when summed up viii exhibit vastly im-
provea conditions.
The frankness OF this criticism cannot
fail 10 be OF advantage The more intel
lisent of the japanese merchants will rec
ognize the business OF the structures and
their example OF amendment will compel
even the less scrupulous TO observe that
honesty which is always the best policy
In the long MN.