The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-28
Japan Thoroly Prepared for the
Fight for the Commerce Of the
Pacific The Commercial Policy
of the Empire Has Been Care
fully Thought Out Picked
Young Men Working in China.
T. A. Mckenzie in London Mail.

John Hay, one of the greatest states
men America has known, was for long
the advocate of the policy of the
"open door, in the far east. But
some little time before his death he.
admitted that doubts were arising
of little use, - he said in unofficial con-
versation, g if it opens the way into
territory where a commercial rival has
predominant influence. Japan stands
pledged to the open doorA But she has
given no pledge not to slip in the door
first and secure all she can for herself:
That is what she is doing in Korea and
will do elsewhere.
The war of arms in the far east has
ended; the new war of commerce IS
about to begin.
Even as late as the eighties England
was far beyond all rivals in the trade
Of the Pacific. Today Russia backed
by subsidies and low transportation
rates, takes a slice of our old markets
from the land side; America has finan-
cial institutions and trading firms
everywhere in the far east; and Ger
many has more than quadrupled her
Chinese merchants in twenty years. The
most threatening and formidable rival
of all, Japan, has never ceased since
1895 to prepare for the day when her
FSSSS NA>~ 1900
itary victories. :.
Amazing Commercial Expansion.
The commercial expansion Of Japan
in the far east has been SO amazing that
at first sight it appears overwhelming.
A generation ago the empire Of the mi
kado bought manufactured goods, and
sold raw material. Today (irrespect-
i've of temporary demands for war seryv-
ice) Japan buys raw material and sells
manufactured goods. Her own suprem-
acy in silks, and lacquers, and fancy
goods has been maintained and extend
ed. But to it. Japan has added fresh
conquests The trades she is aiming at
are shipbuilding, ship owning, textile
ing the past few months large Japan
csc orders have ma de happy the hearts
of English manufacturers. But all
know that Japan will soon want no
more foreign-made goods. She has long
come to us for her battle-ships, but the
agent Of an English shipbuilding firm
after spending some time with the Jap.
anese authorities, returned to England
! this summer and admitted that Japan
will soon have no need to ask us fol
either ships or ornaments. India to-
day supplies Japan with a large amount
of raw cotton. Japanese experts are
already planning the cultivation Of
great cotton tracts in Korea that will
remove the necessity of buying from
India.
Nor is it alone that Japanese pur
chases are ceasing. In place of buy
ing. Japan is becoming an active sell
er. In twenty years she has increased
her export ira de eightfold. Her popu
lation is growing SO rapidly that fani
lies for colonization or raw material fo1
mill labor cannot ruin short. Our birtl
rate has in the last decade: heavily ant
ominously declined. The Japanese brit
rate has in twenty seven years riser
from II to 81 per:thousand. pa. @oo.::
I Picking Her Rivals Brains.
The commercial policy of Japan is nj
chance thing. dependent on the plans o.
individuals. It is part Of the corpor
ate life Of the nation, a CAREFUL!
thong ht-out campaign, guided and mold
ed by the able leaders Of the depart