The herald., 1898-05-01

tndt IL Is increasing at RAPID rate,
but that the increase Is in a direction
which shows that Japan Is becoming
an Industrial country; for each sue
cessive year the quantity Of new ma
terial entering the country, and OF
manufactured articles leaving the
country, forms a greater proportion OF
the imports and exports. The popula-
ton is increasing at rapid rate from
80, 100000 in 1872 to 100000 in 1896, and
as Japan is not by nature a country
suited for agriculture, and already her
population is denser than that of many
European countries, the means Of live
lihood in the future must be sought in
industrial development rather than in
agricultural resources. This is being
earnestly put before the people by the
Press, and the leading men in public
addresses, and the legislation of the
country is directed to fastening the
process of converting Japan from
purely agricultural country to one
whose chief industry will be manufac-
turing.
| In a recent number of a Japanese
journal, Count Okuma, one Of the most
| distinguished of Japanese statesmen,
takes UP the defence of his country
against those who were of opinion that
Japan has been spending on it's army
and navy and on the development of
its industries more than was justified
by the extent of it's resources. Count
Okuma has had experience in almost
all departments of Government, and he
is especially strong in all that deals
with finance. He was called to the po-
sition of Minister of Finance at very
critical period of his country's history,
and by his wise measures he overcame
the difficulties in the way. AS Minister
Of Foreign Affairs he has shown that
he can pursue policy at once firm and
conciliatory. In the article alluded to,
he combats the idea that Japan is liv-
ing beyond her means, and that her
resources are overtaXed by the large
undertakings upon which she has
launched in the sequel of the war with
China. He admits that victory came to
Japan more easily than was, perhaps,
altogether wholesome, and that it
created an industrial and commercial
stimulus stronger than the circum-
stances actually warranted; but he is
persuaded that the situation contains
no really disquieting elements, and that
the country's future may be regarded
with hope and confidence. The line of
that the development Of the material
resources during the past twenty years
more than justifies the bold course
now pursued.
Mr.. Brennan states that in 1872 the
whole value Of manufactured articles
exported by Japan did not amount to
$500,000 and that in 1896 it reached
$45 000, 900. or 40 per cent. of her
total exports. In the earlier year the
whole import trade may be said to
have been in manufactured articles,
now the value of the raw materials i'm
ported into the country amounts to $46,-
100000, or some 30 per cent. of her
total imports. It is chiefly in her trade
with Asiatic countries that this in
creasing importation of raw material
is noticeable. Speaking generally,
Japan's trade with these Asiatic coun-
tries may be said to consist of imports
Of raw materials, and exports Of manu-
featured articles. Mr.. Brennan however,
is of the opinion that at least for
considerable time to come Japan will
not be a competitor to any great ex-
tent with European nations in Eastern
markets. and that she will supply the
semi civilized nations of Asia with such
articles as she already manufactures
for her own use, and with others imi-
tated from foreign patterns and de-
signs, which are already in demand in
Asiatic countries. The commercial pol
icy advocated by those in authority is
to strive to attain perfection by as
siduous practice, and meantime to sell
the work of their prentice hands to
those of semi-civilized peoples who are
satisfied with cheap and inferior COM
modities.