The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1904-12-01
Count 0kuma Says Country
Can Fight For Years.
CONDITIONS FAVORABLE.
Financial Anxiety He Says, Is Less, and
the War Does Not Effect Commerce
Development Of Trade in Far
East Japan's Aim.


News correspondent at Tokyo, was
favored the other day with a special
interview by Count Okuma, former
prime minister and minister Of finance
The subject discussed was whether
Russia could wear out Japan ii the
present war The gist Of the inter
view with Count Okuma is as follows:
"It Is very important to remember
the fact that Japan is not an Industrial
or manufacturing nation like most Of
those Of Europe and America. 1t ii
only just beginning 10 grow along those
lines. 1t ii, III il strict sense, an agri
cultural country, therefore its capa-
bility and power TO endure d long wal
must not be judged in the same way as
in the case of England or the United
States. Even defeat now would not
be SO fatal as 1t might be later when
the Industries Of Japan had developed
TO a much larger extent lin this re
spect Russia Is much in the same con
dition, for her manufacturing indus
tries are quite undeveloped.
When the war began the nation
may have had some feelings Of fear in
standing against one Of the strongest
powers Of The world, but, as the war
proceeds. it has become apparent that
Japan will be always victorious, and
the national amazement and anxiety
have become less and less
when the war began some indus
tries which were engaged in to meet
/ tile internal demand were somewhat
| checked ON account of economical rea
sons. Manufacturers received some
encouragement. but now we need only
look around to discover new fields Of
activity. AS there Is a large number
Of employees obtainable and labor Is
| thus cheap, more attention Is paid to
the manufacture Of articles for ex-
port. In this most Of the enterprises
have achieved success. Thus certain
industries are arising In place Of those
/ which suffer some decline.
when the economical world began
to see the war resulting favorably to
Japan ii began to feel confident Of it's
1 power. The excitement aroused at the
beginning has entirely subsidized and
economical conditions are very favor
able.
ssThe general peace of mind Of the
nation over the effects 81 the war is
another fayoring cause The silk in
dngtry this year is very successful The
crops of rice and other grains are
larger than for many years Last year
the food supply was insufficient; this
year there Is more than enough. This
good fortune is quieting the minds Of
those iii economical circles and giving
great encouragement TO the people.
aThe war expenses for this year
have been calculated at 570.000.000 yen
| (S2s5, 000,000l During the seven
months since the war began the
amount actually spent is about 300
000,0 yen (S15o.o00,000l. 50 that pos
sibIy there will be small surplus at
the end OF the year. It must also be
remembered that the expenses at the
beginning Of the war would naturally
be exceptionally large. especially be
cause at that time It was necessary to
purchase cruisers arms and ammuni.
| zion. steel for battleships and other
things in preparation for actual war
Now the preparations for even long
war are pretty nearly completed and
the expenses Will not be 50 large as
formerly
Moreover. as the Russian heet Is
practically destroyed. there will he con.
siderable saving in that line On the
other hand. 1t Is necessary To increase
the army at the front r il certain
however. that expenses from now on
viii not be 50 large praportionately
Perhaps for next year 4000000O0 ven
5000. 000,000) will be sufficient
ut Is. OF course, difficult 20 prophesy
concerning the distant future There
ii d certainty that for the coming few
years the finances Of the country viii
be able to endure the strain of war In
/ April the diet voted budget Of war
expenses Of 57o.O00,000 yen (s2S5, 600,
| OOOl. This has been obtained as fol
| lows: A foreign loan OF i00,000.000
| yen $4,000. 0O0l. domestic loans of
1896. 100000 zen lS190000,000 and the
| remainder by other internal sources
| If, as Ii very likely, the war continues
another year and even the same
amount Is necessary, perhaps 100000
600 yen (s50000.000) or SO would be
raised abroad, i'll England or America
ana the remainder beiraised By inter
nal loans
The method OF raising foreign
\ Ioan Is adopted because the g9ld re-
serve in the Bank 81 Japan goe out
4 from time to time and must BE- re
stored But. liz stated before, probably
the amount needed next year win not
be AZ large as this year, because there
| Is no necessity DC buying arms and
| battlcshlps
i "a great deal of money has been
sent 70 Korea and Manehnria Thus
i Fat the 100000 ven lS9000000t Of
/ silver and war notes floating at tile
Il front are received with great favor.
i;nssla, loo needs silver The result II