The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-03
Prospective Pacific Trade,

The west-coast trend, in American
commerce, promises to develop impor-
tant features during the year. Present
necessities Of the oriental trade and
the apparently unlimited possibilities,
are drawing capital and ability towards
our Pacific seaboard. Already there
has been marked shifting towards the
west, but as yet we are in our infancy
with respect to Our trade relationship
with China, Japan and other far east,
ern countries. Great things are prom
ised before the present century runs
out, great changes are probable during
the lifetime Of the present generation,
and even the next few years will bring
developments of Importance.
The story in The Journal of
last night of the reported purchase Of a
fleet of ships by the Milwaukee road,
illustrates the march Of progress.
Whether the ships have actually been
contracted for, is doubtful, aud since
the Pacific coast extension of the Mil
waukee will not be in operation for
nearly four years vet, even if the work
advances favorably, the report may
seem early. Yet ships are not built in
a day, any more than railroads, and
whether or not the Milwaukee has as
yet actually done anything towards es-
| tablishing trans-Paciic line, it is not
to be doubted that such move will
follow the opening Of its extension to
the Pacific, and that it already has men
in Europe looking into the matter of
providing fleet is probable. ~
It is said that the Great Northern
now operates it's two immense carriers
on the Pacific Mt loss. In time nc
doubt there will be another story, fol-
business is bound to grow. Ten months
Of last year, October included, showed
American exports to China Of $4,000,
600, compared with $2o,0oo,0o0 il
the corresponding period Of 1904, anc
the figures for Japan were &c. 800, 900
against $22,0O0,O00. Even if full allow
ance be made for the extraordinary de
mand due TO the far eastern war, thi
is big increase. .s...... r. t.
The American Asiatic association re
Gently gave q dinner in New York K
Kogoro Takahira, the Japanese min
lister to America. Mr.. Takahira in
dulged in some prophecy in his re
marks By the end of the present cen
tury, Mr.. Takahira believes, our popf,
lation (now climbing to 85,O00,OOO)
will have reached the great total O.
4 600,O00,000. What wonderful change
will then have been made in commerce
finance, politics? It is to the orien
Mr.. Takahira believes that we mus
look for our greatest foreign commerce
How rapidly this will grow, and hoy
powerful our influence in the far east
will depend upon our governmental pol
icy, as we'll as upon factors originatin
beyond, and remaining beyond our con
troll. That we will one day come t
dominate the Pacific seems certain, an
from present evidences Of growth i
our oriental trade relationship,
:. would appear that&it is al question g
J, time only when our Pacific trade sha
: have passed in volume that great tots
! now represented by our transatlanti
q commerce, that, in its entirety, an
with it's auxiliaries Of investment, pa
; senger traffic, expenditure abroad an
revenue at home, and other things thu
: enter into it, finds no expression in o
| binary millions, but runs into billion
/ Of dollars.
: There were probably no rebates Q
that passenger1ess Pennsylvania fyt
> which skidded AS miles on Christine
Day without "a fare.
: According to Captain Amundsen, II
t northwest passage is too shallow Il
o Icommercial uses. Is there no congress.
4 man who will draw a bin to dredge Il
f northwest passage tsfor the free passas