The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-28
COMMERCE WITH JAPAN.
Records of the Year Show Flattering
Increase From q. s.

Washington, June 2S.-The growth of
American commerce with Japan, and
especially of American exports to that
country is discussed at considerable
length in a recent number of the Brit
ish diplomatic and consular reports just
received by the bureau of statistics. The
statement is in the form of a report
from A H. Law, assistant japanese
secretary to her majesty's legation at
Toxic.
The report discusses the foreign trade
of Japan during the year 1897 and after
showing that Great Britain's imports
into Japan increased during 1897 by
about per cent and those from Ger
many amounted to only per cent of
the total instead of 10 per cent as in
the previous year, says:
The United States has acquired a
very largely increased share of both
the import and export trade, the values
of her imports and exports having ris-
en- no less than 81 and SO per cent re-
spectively.
The table giving the total imports in
to and exports from Japan by countries
shows that the imports from the United
States increased 1,O24,S pounds
against 332, 4S8 pounds increase from
Great Britain; 395,593 pounds increase
from British India; 1O,430 pounds in
crease from Germany; 637,751 pounds
from China; 222, sos pounds increase
from Hong Kong, and DECREASE of
304, 051 pounds in the imports from
France. 1t will thus be seen that the
increase in imports from the United
States to Japan was greater in 1897
than from any other country.
Discussing the details of the gains
made by the United States in imports
into Japan the report says:
The increase in the import of raw cot
ton amounted to 81, 941 tons to the to-
tai value of 9SO.279 pounds. From Brit
ish India comes the largest supply,
namely 1S0 053, 500 pounds; China was
next with 65, 1872, $50 pounds; then the
United States with 46.365,O 79 pounds.
French India sent 2,191, 200 pounds. The
United States shows much the largest
increase, owing to the fall in quotations
for American cotton caused by the I'M
usual largeness of the crop.
Pig iron imported amounted to $50
tons more than in 1896 and prices have
increased to a large extent owing to
heavier freights. So far the shipments
have been experimental but it is under
stood that large quantities will arrive
monthly in the future, shipped in COM
hinatiOn with cotton cargoeS from Pen
SacO1a.
Rails have been imported very large
1y, but here Great Britain'S share is de-
creasing while that of other countries,
excepting France, is increasing and as
recent large contracts have been OBJ
tanned mostly by the United States, it
is probable that 1898 will see still less
proportion of this trade in the hands OF
British makers.
Nails from the United States have
practically driven out of the market
those from Germany and Belgium, but
insufficiency of packing has caused
much loss on wire nails shipped over
land by way of Pacific ports. The de-
mand for kerosene is still increasing,
about six million gallons more than in
1886 having been imported. Stocks at
the end of the year were not large.
About 20 per cent of the oil was Amer
lean, % per cent Russia ana per cent
Langkat.
While the relative growth of Japans
imports from the United States shows
a very large increase in recent years
the amount of exports from Great BRIT
ain has Increased by a. larger total val
ue; but it must be borne in tnind that
the American invasion has only just
commenced; that the ground has been
prepared for large extensions in the
future and that unless some unforeseen
changes take place the tendency will
be towards encroachment upon the
trade hitherto belonging to Great Brit
ain.