New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-11
JAPAN BUYING LESS.
RESULTS OF THE NEW TARIFF - AMER
ICAN IMPORTS DECREASE LESS


Washington Nov 10 (SpecaD.-Japans imports
are rapidly decreasing under her new tariff wnich
went into effect at the beginning or the present
year, though her exports go on increasing mean
time statement Just received by the treasury
Bureau OF Statistics shows that the total Imports
Of Japan during the first seven months OF the
present year were 1l,53l7H yen. against l'70'4s'S
ven in the corresponding months Of last year while
the exports I'm the time were lo6.17olZl yeh'
against s2lss79l yen In the corresponding months
OF last year Thus while her exports nave IN
creased % per cent her imports under the new
tariff which Is mildly protective as compared with
It's predecessor, have decreased 81 per cent. Rates
Of duty under the former japanese tariff were In
few II any cases in excess OF per cent. The new
tariff which went into effect on January l, 1889
no yever leves duties ranging from 10 per cent to
40 per cent few falling below 10 per cent and those
on articles which come into competition with do
nestle manufactures ranging Is per cent. " per
cent and per cent ad valorem
How much this new tariff has to do with the
marked reduction In Japanese imports Is Of course
a matter of conjecture. though the fact that her
imports had been rapidly increasing in the years
preceding the adoption of the new tariff at least
suggests that this had something to do with the
marked change in the course OF imports, beginning
with January /, 1899. the date at which the new
tariff actually went into effect. The total imports
of Japan have Increased from 6s0OoO0O yen in 1891
to ll7000 900 yen in 1894. III 100000 yen In 1896 49,
OO0 900 yen in 1897 and 2770OOOO yen In 1898. thus
showing average growth OF fully 20 per cent per
anrum. while the figures Of the present year. as
already indicated. show a reduction Of 81 per cent
as compared with the corresponding months Of 1885,
This marked reduction In Japan's imports sug-
gests inquiry to how great an effect II Is
having upon her purchases from the United States.
An examination of the statement OF American ex-
ports to Japan made during the seven months
covered by the Japanese figures shows a reduction
~ opf,, In aala IN To
per cent In those Of the world at large. as shown
by her statement OF imports referred TO above.
A study in detail of the imports of Japan in the
seven months OF 1899 under consideration shows
that while considerable share OF the reduction In
imports is due the small importations OF rice in
the present year compared with those Of last
year nearly all of the other articles of importa-
ton also show a reduction Cotton yarns, for in
stance fell from 1854 yen In seven months OF
1898 to 1S7,767 yen in the same months OF 1899 i'm
ports of machinery, from 1897 @s yen TO 32ss 1853
locomotives from sos7OSo yen 70 sSs 800 yen; gray
shrtings, from 2.ss?o1 yen to l2lsss yen; mousse,
rails f from yen a' to ~ YEN Watches from
1632G yen to SSo5 yen; cotton, satins and velvets,
from AS AS yen to 2Ss Os2 yen: structural iron for
bridges and buildings. from ls64.42i yen to las ss4
pig iron from los iai yen to 5s457s yen -four from
sog6li yen to SsSss YEN all the above statements
with the first seven months Of 1899.
Taking our own statement OF exports during the
present year 1t is found that eight Of the twenty
four principal articles show an Increase in the
value of expectations to Japan In the seven months
Of 1899. compared with those OF 1895 the articles in
which there has been an Increase being books and
maps. scientific instruments, typewriters, naval
stores. canned beef. cheese and lear tobacco In
cotton the reduction in exports has been slight.
being for the months OF 1899 "a 954 7 against
S.O63.I75 IN the same months OF 1885, while In to-
bacco the increase has been great. being In the
seven months OF the present year $40 500 against
Sis 66 In the same months OF last year. The prin-
cpal articles showing decrease In expectations
watches. cotton cloth. rails for railways. railway
locomotives. structural iron. builders hardware.
lumber and furniture
While the American statement and that OF Japan
agree In showing reduction OF the sales OF the
United States to that country. that OF Japan
already indicated. shows that the reduction In her
purchases from TINS country Is very much less than
world. the reduction In her total imports being 81
per cent and In her imports from the United States
1872 per cent.