Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-11-23
A BATTLE FOR TRADE
Lively Contest Of Rival Manufacturers
 h Japan.


 A good story comes to the United States concerning a vigorous contest
 that is being carried on between rival manufacturers of cigarettes in Japan, says ". ". Price, the Columbia (S. C.) Records Washington correspondent. The ingenuity of Japanese manufac- turers in advertising their product will be found interesting. Cigarettes from American grown tobacco are being ad- vertised there with colored quarter sheet posters and handbills. The col oring of the advertising matter is most blood red, and the cigarette campaign is growing more active every day. The Japanese tobacco monopoly, on the one hand, is pushing three leading brands in Manchuria, while the British Amefi- can Tobacco company, on the other, has it's agents knocking at the gates leading to the late war zone ana seek ing to carry the campaign into the in terior on equal terms Thus far the British-American company has not been allowed to send foreigners beyond Newchwang, but through native sub agents the virtues of the Virginia leaf are already being announced on the face of old Chinese walls that have never before been utilized for advertls ing purposes. The Japanese have the advantage of being able to push their goods under the direct supervision of their own countrymen. Japanese mer- chants. also, who sell to the army. have for several months been allowed to go into the interior to certain points m der Japanese military authority and regulation.
 h ManchrIria the natives. in some in stances women. smoke cigarettes. The field. is considered a rich one in this trade and is consequently sought after with much eageruess. The lurid adyer- Using matter used by both parties seek ing the business of the enormous ciga- rette smoking community is decorated with Chinese characters describing the wonderful qualities of the tobacco used. Pictures of the exact size and the distinguishing marks of the pack ages used are printed on the placards. The British-Ameriean company makes 8 feature of the quality Of the Virginia leaf that is used. The leaf is imported from America and manufactured into cigarettes at Shanghai The Japanese tobacco monopoly puts its goods on this market undeA Chinese labels, but gives the names Of its chief brands in English on the package This method is the one adopted by it's active rival.
 A few days ago the British American at Newchwang. which Is for Manchuria, billed the native city as prominently as a great circus is announced on blIlboards. Fol lowing this. the Japanese tobacco mo nopoiy managers begin giving away sample cigarettes attached to neat card having Chinese and Japanese flags printed on top, with real matches for fagstafRs and with miniature pie lures of the boxes of their leading brands in pyramid forms under the flags. Holes punched into the cards ad- nitted and helddhe sample cigarettes.
 The British-Anerican company has Chinese speaking foreigners in charge 1f it's campaigns Ln Manchuria. and house to house canvass is now going ln. Competition is sharp. and all kinds )f queer devices are being resorted to by both the sellers of American and ! lative tobacco to get their goods on the market and prominently before the people. House boats carry their en- ire sides placarded with the virtues Of iinerent brands of tobacco. and in many cemeteries large signs printed 'n cloth and swung from tomb to tomb lisplay the excellence of different l makes.
 The agents of the Japanese govern nent tobacco monopoly in advertising | heir goods fin Manchurla declare that | heir cigarette administers life" sup \ ,orts the spirits" "this cigarette, of l government manufacture. is sweet and | 'f good quality. famous. once tried al- | ways to be liked:' twill cause the Imoker to feel as if in a dream like un- o the mountain Wooshan"
 American manufacturers of leaf to- ,acco will reap good haryests while his war is on in the east