Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-22
TRADE WITH JAPAN
Development OF DOMESTIC IN
DUSTRIES INDICATED.
Cotton Goods Being Sent to China in
Increased Quantities-Efect
of the War.

1 al
a report to the Department of Commerce
and Labor, complaints of dullness in trade
| owing TO uncertainty regarding war pros
| pects, were very general last fall and during
| the early winter, but the actual beginning of
hostilltles in February was the signal for
| renewed activity along many lines, and the
| totai commerce for the first six months or
| 1904 amounted to $159, 10. OS6. a. a gain of
Sl4o1O,2 29.o2, or 9h per cent over that or
| the corresponding period in 1903 While It
| is true that the importation of war ma
teriai has contributed considerably to this
result and to that extent the showing does
not represent natural permanent growth
OF the commerce of the country still there
was a marked increase independent of war
purchases In exports, which the existence
OF war could not affect unless adversely
the gain over last year was per cent.
Developing Domestic Industries.
1T is noticeable that the imported arti-
cies In which the gain is greatest are most
~ such as are used in the production Of
other articles, indicating the development
OF domestic industries rather than in
creased use of foreign luxuries Thus the
importation of cotton, raw in the seeds al
most doubled, while that of cotton cloth
ana cotton yarn decreased the importation
OF WOOL nearly trebled, but that of most
Kinds OF wooden cloth fell off; more PUN for
making paper was imported than during
the corresponding period of 1903. but less
printing paper and less other paper; the i'm
portation of hides and skins nearly dou-
bled and that of sole and other leather in
creased 30 per cent, but manufactured
leather goods were not imported in suffi-
Gent quantities to be named in the statis-
tics of trade; there was an increase in the
importation of most kinds of iron goods ex-
cept rails and fittings of rail, but the great
est gain in iron. both absolutely and rela-
lively, was in pig and ingot iron; the inn
ports OF phosphate manure, for the pur-
pose of promoting a larger yield of agri-
cultural products, increased from ,SS3
tons during the first half of 1903 TO IS 1913
tons during the first half of 1904.
Coal and Flour Imports
THE principal articles of which the i'm
portation has been directly affected by the
war are coal and wheat -four Purchases
of the former Increased from 1865 tons in
the first six months of~1G03 to $50, 755 tons
during the same period in 1904; those of
wheat flour from Il. SO to 61,I12 tons. This
great advance in the amount of coal i'm
ported was not due to an insufficient home
supply. since, during the same months in
which Japan imported $50, 755 tons, she ex-
ported more than 100000 tons of a differ
ent grade from that purchased.
The United States, which has had al
most monopoly of the trade in wheat
flour. profited most by the increased use
of this commodity, though both British
America and Australia multiplied their
former quota many times a native news
paper is authority for the statement that
Japanese millers find 1t profitable to mix
American flour with the product of their
mills, thus securing a better grade. AL
though the United States has benefited
greatly by the war purchases, the percent
age of increase in value of the fmporta-
lions from the United States is not so
great as the percentage of gain in all the
imports into Japan. being only a small
fraction more than per cent.
Chinese Demand for Cottons.
"A study of the exports from Japan dur
ing the first half of 1904 and 1903, respect
lively, disclose further evidence of advance
in manufacturing industry. With the ex-
ception Of few articles the gains are no.
ticeably in manufactured goods, as distin-
guished from raw material and agr!cul-
tural products. The increase in the exports
of cotton tissues is especially remarkab bic,
and a local newspaper reports that three
cotton mill companies have ordered an ag-
gregate of 1855 weaving looms in anticipa-
mand for these goods.
AN association is being organized by the
chambers of commerce of several japanese
cities for the promotion of trade with
China by means of commercial museums.
An effort will be made to induce the Japa-
nese government to erect suitable build ngs
in China and rent them to the association
for the display of japanese goods. The idea
did not originate with them. for similar ex-
hibitions of mercantile goods have been
made here by European countries, but the
plan which they have outlined for acquaint-
ing the Chinese with the merits of japanese
wares is more complete and systematic than
anything which has been done by other
nations in Japan.
1.-The advisability of American merchants
establishing show rooms of this kind in
oriental cities has before been urged in
these reports.
Loss of Specie and Bullion.
"Since July 1903 the exports of specie
and bullion have exceeded the imports
each month except October. During the
fiscal year ending June 30. 1904, the net
amount withdrawn from the country was
$3S 2GS 252 81. This sum will more than
ccuuterbalance the excess of imports of
specie and bullion which had occurred dur
ing some time previous. and in the absence
of any important native production will
leave the volume of specie currency in the
country at lower ebb than II had reached
for several years. However. there is TO
evidence of loss Of confidence in the finan-
cial system. and bankers report that the
situation shows symptoms of danger.
WI Tngfang's Mission Abandoned
A cablegram from Tokyo last night says: