The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-04
JtPkN'S ADYAxC CE.

A correspondent writes from Japan OF
lie commercial and industrial progress
there last year. He states that present
appearances do not justify the pessi-
mistic predictions made when Japan
severed itself from the treaty obliga-
Ions TO which IL had been bound and
formally abrogated ~the privileges or
extra territory enjoyed by western ma
tions. says The London Post. Accord
ing TO this correspondent the trade re-
turns of Japan for 1893. just published.
show that the gross volume OF i'm
ports and exports during the year
amounted TO 423000, 900 yen, as against
$50, 100000 yen in the previous year, thus
showing an increase of 3e,OOO,OOO yen,
or of jusl 10 per cent. These statistics
are in themselves highly satisfactory,
but they become stu. more so the closer
they are examined. In contrast 10 all
previous experience, IL is found that the
exports and imports now nearly bal
ance each other, there being dlner-
ence Of only 100000 yen between them,
whereas in 1898 the imports exceeded
the exports by considerably more than
two TO one. This of course, indicates
an immense advance In industrial act
ivity. An advance Is taking place IN
every direction, the most recent de-
veiopments being I'm the way OF chem
ical products, such as sulphurlc acid,
iodine and pharmaceutical prepara-
tions which. though manufactured by
British machinery, are turned out un-
der native management by native Ia
Dor and from native raw material.
Commerce also is expanding. Only "a
few days ago IL was announced mat
the construction of extensive harbor
ArIr. ~, Anl do fnP rl41H
on and that though the cost would be
large IL was felt that the outlay was
necessary and would prov TO be re-
munerative.
Domestic politics in Japan have been
for some time p.st extremely quet.
The mild controversy over the question
of establishing the principle of minis
terial responsibility to Parliament has
for the present at all events worked IL
self out. IL was never much more than
an academic dispute. and though II is
certain to arise again when the people
are more keenly interested in consti-
tutional questions 1t possesses no i'm
med ate Importance. Quite recently
there has been a recrudeseence of anx-
iety In the Russian press respecting the
growth and consolidation OF Japanese
influence in Korea. Ii is beyond doubt
that the Island Empire OF the East has
acquired a firm hold on tie peninsula.
ana is leav ng no stone unturned 10
strengthen her position. But so far as
is known she has used only legitimate
means TO accomplish this. Her activ-
tiles have been OF a commercial, finan-
cal. and social character. and If she
has succeeded in gaining the conf
dence and goodwill of the Koreans she
has not done anything which should
reasonably hurt the susceptibilities of
other powers. Quite apart. however,
from this consideration, IL may be add
ed that the peaceful nature of the out
look is not diminished by the addition
winch Japan has lately made to her
material resources. In the Shikishima
she possesses one of the most formida-
Die nghting sh ps In the world. and the
sympathy with which the first OF naval
nations looks on this acquisition Is as
suredly not lessened by the considera-
ton that the vessel m question was
built on the shores OF the Thames.