The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-01-07
JAPAN GAINING
PACIFIC CONTROL
Manager Schwerin of P. M. S.
S. Go. Tells of American
Shipping Disadvantages.

When NJ. Shiraishi, general manager
of the Togo Kaisen Kaisha, passed
through this city a few days ago en-
route to New York, the rumor current
year ago that the Japanese Steam
ship Company was seeking to absorb
the Pacific Mail was revived Shirai-
shi had long conference with r. P.
Schwerin, vice president and general
manager of the Pacific Mail, the sub
jeet of which, according to Schwerin,
was the fitting out of three sister ships
to the Korea and Siberia now under
course of construction in Japan, and
not the sale of the Pacific Mail to the
Togo Kisen Kaisha.
Questioned as to the probability of
the sale being effected Schwerin did
not deny or affirm that negotiations
were under way and remarked that he
was unable to state whether the Pa
cific Mail Company was willing to sell
its line to the Japanese.
AS it ISL said Schwerin, 1--WE are
unable to compete with the Japanese
Of course we control the rates and the
rates of the Togo Kisen Kaisha are the
same as ours, but the Japanese can
give rebates and not be amenable to
any law. This, coupled with the ex-
traordinary bounty of the Japanese
Government to its shipping and the
low wages paid to Japanese mariners
renders us incompetent in traffic bat
tie with them.
81 am confident that it is only a
matter of time when the Japanese will
control the commerce of the Pacific
ocean. In fact this condition may be
reached within year and half, when
three sister ships to the Korea and 81
IBERIA now being built in Japan will be
in the trade.
The immense subsidies allowed their
ships by the Japanese Government are
responsible for the activity of the
japanese lines, As an example of the
generosity of the Japanese Government
/ may say If the Manch,ria, Korea and
Siberia were built in Japan and carried
its flag in transpacific.. trade the ship
owners would receive 100000 yen a
year from the Government. In our
this would amount to ST 100000. |
The owners of the three ships now
building will receive 100000 yen a
year when they enter the Pacific trade. |
eve are Afforded no privileges and
In fact are hampered by the Govern |
ment instead of receiving assistance.
Following the publication of several |
magazine articles concerning the emf
grant steamers touching at New York |
a law was passed compelling American
ship companies to build hunks six feet
long, and to erect tables and benches
For the accommodation of steerage pas
sengers. That is a law to obviate |
Eastern troubles made effective in the
West where they did not exist.
eve complied with the law imme
lately, and thereby lost 20 per cent of
accommodation space. There never
was japanese six feet tall, and they
refuse to eat their meals seated at a
able The Chinese also are not tall
men and want to eat their meals in a
'quatting posture. That is only one
example of the adverse condition we
ire laboring under.
"The japanese lines have every kind
# assistance. They have financial aid,
Governmental aid and patriotic aid. For
IN American vessel none of these is ac
orded. In fact it would seem that our
,wn Government objects to the Amer
can flag operating on the high seas.
"Japan is not alone in its extra
ordinary advantages. England, France
nd Germany give assistance to their
hipping which American ship owners
10 not enjoy.
cit is Japan IS aim to become to the
orient what England is to the Occident,
nd in time, unless the United States
ecomes more generous, it will attain
Is ambition.
.Whether the Pacific Mail will be
old to. the Togo Kisen Kaisha or
7hether the company is willing to sell
0 the japanese / can not say, but it
certain the Japanese are making
tribes which under the present ship
ing laws we are unable to check. -
f. Chronicle, Dec IS.