Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-17
COMMERCE WITH JAPAN
"YANKEEs OF THE EAST TO CYAN
KEGS OF THE WEST"
GOod-Natured Trade Competition
The MikadO's Market for Ameri-
can Products.
ogoro Takahira, the Japanese Minister, in Col

Kogoro Takahira, the Japanese Minister, in Col
lers Weekly.
Japan feels very near to the United
States. This feeling of friendliness began
with the visit of Commodore Perry to our
shores, which let in great flood of new
light from the west, and it has increased
as American ingenuity has shortened the
distance, measured in hours of travel, be-
tween the two countries. 1t has also been
very greatly increased and deepened, am
sure, by the association of the armies of
the empire and of the republic in the move
ment to safeguard the highest interests Of
civilization in the east. This association
| revealed. in striking way. the fact that
the United States are now an eastern pow
er, and that the interests Of America are
very closely related to those Of Japan. 1t
was the beginning. l believe, of new i'm
pulse in the development of far greater
trade in the Pacific and of warmer feelings
of friendship.
Japan especially welcomes this prospect
l do not believe that any country has
shown a more earnest desire for the i'm
provement of commercial relations with
other countries than has Japan. While we
have shown this desire with respect to all
countries alike, we have been particularly
anxious to better our relations with the
United States. Japan feels more and more
convinced that, for trade, she must event
that the greatest of waters must be dcmi-
| mated in the near future by the merchant
vessels of the empire and of the United
States.
We have witnessed. without envy or jeal-
ousy, the swift growth of our young rival
across the Pacific. We felt that it was to
be for all time a. rivalry of friends, an
amicable and goodnatured competition for
| trade. There is room enough for both
countries to exploit themselves There is
| trade enough for both; and, while there
| must inevitably be sharp competition in
certain fields of commerce, the presence
| and labors of each will aid the other. If
America develops the Philippines and Ha-
! wall. Japan will be benefited to a large
extent. If Japan, on the other hand. more
| extensively opens up Formosa and other
| parts of the empire to trade, the United
| States must reap their share of the har-
| vest. Both, it is clear. must benefit by
| the development of China, for which both
| are now striving.
Each Can Supply the Other.
| Again, Japan mas a population of about
| 45,O00OOO with manifold needs. America
can supply them. The United States have
still larger population, with many needs
| that Japan can, perhaps, supply. Each
| country, therefore, offers to the other an
extensive field for trade development. We
| have much that we can sell to America
| you have much that we want to buy. 1t is
| to watch without feelings of envy or jeal
| ousy the marvellous growth Of your coun-
| try. We have felt, also, that Japan Is Il
young nation, that the transformation ac-
| complished within the last few years has
| given us a new oirth among the peoples of
| the world We start fairly with the United
| States, then, in this friendly rivalry for
the trade of the Pacific.
The japanese are greatly in favor of
American products and ideas. We want the
latest mechanical devices, the most ad-
vanced theories and principles of industry
and manufacture, and we feel that we can
| get them from America. This was not true
few years ago, when the United States
were not so far advanced as they are to-
| day, and Japan looked mainly to Europe
| for western ideas and western trade. We
have now begun to look across the Pa
| cific.
Recent Developments.
The United States have recently taken
| important steps toward the development Of
| commerce in the Pacific. / refer principal
| ly to the acquisition of Hawaii and the
Philippines. The conduct of the Americans
| in China and the general attitude of the
| American government and people will also,
no doubt, have fruitful results when the
| Chinese empire is finally opened to the
| commerce and trade of the world But the
;. result in the Philippines and in Hawaii
| will. of course, be seen sooner and will be
felt more directly.
We looking, however. beyond such
| restricted trade areas Hawaii and the
| Philippine Islands We are anxious to en-
| courage the natural development of COM
| merce between Japan and the home terri
! tory of the United States This commerce
as l have said. has practically just COM
| menced. 1t is yet in it's infancy But VIC
may infer something as to the size of the
| future trade between the two countries
from the rapidity of it's early growth anG
it's already considerable proportions.
Japan, like England, must always be q
country of large importations. In this re-
spect, the United States have tremendous
advantage over us. You will be able to sci
us more than you will buy of us. But be II
so, Japan wants to buy in the cheapest anG
best markets. We should like to purchase
as largely as possible of the United States