The Washington times., 1902-05-12
JAPAN TRADES With
THE united STATES
Exports and Imports Exceed
Those of Other Nations.
REPORTS SHOW ADVANCE
This Country Leads in Many Kinds of
Machinery, and an Excellent Oppor-
tunity Is Afforded for Great Increase in
Trade With the Orient in Labor-Sav-
ing Devices.

/ THE inability of cheap labor TO COM
! pete with machinery" says Consul Gen
eral Bellows, of Yokohama. lis shown in
, the fact that the greater part OF Japan
exports hitherto has consisted of raw ma
terials. while the largest item OF manu-
fac.ured goods has been cotton yarn,
which is shipped almost exclusively to
China-a country which is noted. as well
as Japan, for its cheap labor. One of
the most hopeful features OF the situa-
tion in Japan today is the recognition OF
this fact by her educated classes. Promi-
nent lawyers, statesmen. and business
men are beginning to agitate questions OF
policy with regard TO labor, machinery.
and foreign capital, and the agitation
may be expected 10 bring about beneficial
changes in the near future. Japan will
thus offer a growing market for ma
chinery.
The United States already leads in the
exports of electric light apparatus, min
cycles to Japan. In weaving machinery,
watch movements, watch cases, and BIZ
cycles. TO Japan; in weaving machinery,
spinning machinery, fire engines, and
pumps, tools and implements of farmers
and mechanics, sewing machines, and
Photographic apparatus, We hold second
place, but our proportion of these ex-
ports is advancing steadily. AS the peo-
pie of Japan come TO accept and act on
the doctrine-now being taught by her
most thoughtful citizens-that her future
prosperity depends largely on the substi-
tuition of machinery for cheap labor, she
will need TO purchase these lines of
goods in greatly increased quantities.
and the United States should be alert
to gain her share of the trade.
United States Leads.
Already our commerce with japan
dncluding imports and exports) is greater
than that Of any other nation. The revi-
val of business in Japan, consequent upon
the resumption of traffic with China. will
ton and cotton yarn. and the satisfac-
tory adjustment OF the finances is ex-
pected TO give impetus to railway con-
struction, shipbuilding, and the manu-
facture OF iron and steel. and incidentally
to increase the Importation OF many ar
ticles."
Consul Lyon. Of Hiogo, reports that
inquiry made in Japan as TO the relative
merits of English and American locomo-
lives proves that, general conditions be-
Ing equal, the American locomotive is
preferred. japanese railway officials ex-
press preference for IL. if for no other
reason than that orders are more quickly
filled and more readily conformed TO In
details of manufacture. Other points Of
advantage are also recognized
The United States sends about two
thirds Of the iron rails imported into
Japan, and the same proportion of the
nails, having won this last trade from
Germany which five years ago controlled
The market. The United States also sent
the largest valuation of iron pipes and
tubes to Japan last year; until then this
import had always been greatest from
Great Britain. Imports of typewriters
from the United States represent over
SO per cent of the total. Efforts are be-
ing made TO perfect a machine in the
Japanese language; there is no doubt
that American manufacturers could bet
ter supply this want If they should IN
dertake the task. There would be quite 1
a demand for japanese typewriter IL |
they were placed on the market
Consul Davidson, of Tamsui. notes the |
growth of American trade in Formosa. |
A leading merchant is laying in a large |