The evening times., 1899-11-07

The delegation of Japanese which at
| tended the recent International Commercial
Congress at Philadelphia. and which came
| TO Washington yesterday to consult with
officials here in tn. interest of commerce
between Japan and the United States, were
presented to Secretary Gage today. The
party consists OF Mr. Kahe Otani, president
Mr.. X. Yamamoto. president Of the Kobe
Chamber Of Commerce; Mr.. X. Wani Mr..
| T. Kimura, and Mr.. Takenosake Furaya,
of New York.
Last night they called upon the Japa-
nese Minister. MIR. 'Koomura, and they will
try to see the President when he returns
from Canton.
The principal object of the delegation in
visiting this. country. Mr.. Otani explained
today, is to arouse interest in the tea trade.
THE relations between the United States
and Japan" he said, have been very sat-
isfactory until about year ago. The jap
anese have looked to the United States as
a guide, and the people Of Japan have al
ways had the friendliest feeling for this
country.
They felt that as 1t was at the instance
of the United States that Japan opened Its
ports, and as such cordial relations had al
ways existed between the two countries
the people of Japan were under the tute-
lage of the United States.
''It had always been the earnest desire OF
the Japanese to foster such relations, and
Japan is more willing to meet the United
States half way.
''Jaapn's position in the COM
mercial world, as far as the
United States ID concerned. il
not as advantageous now as ii had been.
in that the imports into Japan from the
United States are slowly approaching in
value the exports from Japan to the United
States, so that Japan was slowly changing
from a seller into buyer. From January
l. 1899, TO June 30 1899, Japan sent to the
United States goods to the value Of S11,-
100000, and imported from this country
goods to the amount of $40. .200. .o00 SO the
balance Of trade in favor Of Japan was very
small. The trade between the two coun-
tries, he thought, was greatly hampered
and even threatened by the present tax on
tea"
Mr.. Otani said that the rate Of 10 cents
a pound on tea was the largest tax ever !
imposed on that article. and resulted in !
the greatest harrdships to tea merchants in |
Japan. Last year the average price of tea /
in the Japanese markets was $3.50 per 1873 /
pounds, while the tax on tea is now $3.50 |
for the same amount, so thar the TAX /
amounts TO. more than the original price OF I
the tea. While the Japanese recognized /
the right OF every country to regulate its |
domestic affairs and to impose such taxes
as 1t thought best. Mr. Otani pointed out !
that, through this exorbtant tax on tea.
the friendliness of the trade relations now
existing between the two countries WAS Sc
riously threatened. The japanese were
likely to take offence in the course of time
and resent it. 1t was through tea that the
Japanese ports were first thrown open to
the world. and tea has always formed the
bulk of the exports from Japan to the
United tSates.
While the United States is imposing this
tax on tea, he said, Japan is admitting
American cotton free. Last year the Japa-
nese look about s7.j00.000 of our cotton,
and during the first six months of this
year the imports of cotton from the United
States amounted to about 5000. Geo all OF
which came in free of duty.
While the japanese Government has lev |
led heavy tax on tobacco, that was done
as 4 measure Of financial exigeEcy. and |
tobacco does not form an item OF special
importance IN the Japan American trade.
If the recent progress in the trade be-
ween the two countries, he said is TO con-
inue. course OF free reciprocity is neces-
sary.
In speaking of the Philippine situation.
Mr.. Otani confined himself TO the state
nent that the Japanese were generally
iesirous OF having the United States as a
1eighbor. for they know the Americans
would be good neighbors.
As to the trade between the Philippines
md Japan. he thought it depended upon
he disposition made Of the islands after
he United States conquers the Filipinos.
t is possible tnat after Mr.. Otani lays be-
ore the commercial bodies which he repre-
ents-the Toxic ard Yokohama chambers
4 commerce-the result of his observations
n the United States. the assistance of the
japanese Government may be invoked to
Ihfain rHnfal Of the fay ON ton