The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-01
Eastern Iron and Electrical Com
panies to Open at Kobe.
SEATTLE AS SHIPPING Port.
III. q. Kirk, Who Is En- Route There,
Says business From Far East
Came With a Rush, md Manufac-
turers Were Unprepared-Mi
in Orders for These Two Products
Philippine Trade Anticipated.

The demand for American iron and cleo
trical products in the Orient has led two
of the largest houses manufacturing those
supplies to decide to establish agencies in
Japan. Henry o. Kirk. OF the Westing
house Electric Company. who Will also
represent the Pittsburg Steel Rail Com
pany In the far East, arrived in the city
last night. en- route to Vancouver, from
where he will sail to Kobe. and there open
up A house and represent both companies
in the distribution of their products in
China. Japan. Korea. Siberia and the Phil
ppines Whether or not he will open
warehouse has not been decided upon, and
will depend entirely on the needs of the
territory to be covered.
In speaking of his mission and what his
companies purpose to do, at the Butter
last night. MIR. Kirk said: The people of
the Pacific coast states. generally speak
ing, have but small idea OF the business
of the Orient that is now being offered
to American manufacturers. / speak not
only of my own line, but of others. The
older manufacturing towns of the East
receive a greater portion OF the orders.
and when l say that the Eastern rolling
mills are year behind on Oriental orders
for steel rails I am not misstating the.
facts,
The trouble is, this trade in the coun-
tries across the Pacific has not heretofore
been properly looked after. England and
Germany have together for years enjoy
ed this trade alone. The Spanish war and
the invasion of the East by the United
States brought a new power into the Old
World. and there never was a truer story
than trade follows the flag. Within the
past year there has been a wonderful DIS
position in the Oriental countries to i'm
prove their condition. Millions of dollars
are being appropriated for improvements
In docks. building OF vessels building rail-
nd Ii,yS II s,,s,
sections of country that since the begin
ming have been satisfied to live in isoa-
ton
This is the new trade that Is being Of
fered the United States. and which. ow-
ing to its sudden appearance together
with the prosperity and extraordinary de-
mand In our own country. We were I'M
prepared to care for.
This being the condition, IL is neces-
sary that the manufacturers OF the Uni
ted States establish closer relations with
this trade, secure II I'm advance. that the
orders may be filled on time, as well as
show to the nations Offering IL that we
are In the market for their commerce
At this time II is necessary to take some
steps to preserve the orders already on
file, and prevent their falling into the
hand of England and Germany This can
be done i'm no better way than to open up
branch houses Of sufficient importance to
looking after them. Korea. which has on
file the second largest orders for steel
rails has already granted a years time
in which 10 execute them. We shall make
an effort to have the other countries do
the same thing.
There Is yet to come a large iron and
electrical trade from the Philippines. Al
ready Eastern capitalists are talking of
more railroads in Luzon and these are
absolutely necessary to the proper devei-
opment of the country. The Spaniards in
their colonies were not extensive patrons
OF electricity. and so the field there Is pros
pectively great.
Eastern manufacturers realize the i'm
portance and advantages of Seattle as
shipping port for the orient and the Phil
ippines. When the time comes there is
every prospect that this city viii receive
a goodly portion OF the tonnage. This
is matter that will be thoroughly dis
Guessed by the manufacturers, and win to
some extent depend upon the wishes Of
the purchasers. However. as ! said be-
fore. the advantages OF Seattle cannot be
overlooked"