New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-14

western ocean consists almost entirely Of com
modities that could not. even allowing the widest
Interpretation to the term be regarded as contra
band Of
But where would Japan stand in this respect
That country's total import and export trade last
year was valued mt about $3-'"""V and OF this
sol, u5l0U1 worth was with America. While these
figures in themselves indicate the story Of the rela-
i've clect war would nave upon the commerce
OF the TWO countries. the analy sis OF the trade
turns Of Japan contained In the annual report of
me department OF finance for 1913. the last issued
sheds much stronger light upon the disastrous
effect war with America would have upon tho
growing commerce Of that country. The report
A comparison Of the volume Of our trade with
Asia, Europe and America in 1875 with that OF 1873
VIII show that our export trade has In those thir-
ty-'wo years increased thirty four-fold with ASIA
twenty three-fold with America and only Ave-fod
With Europe. while the Tate 90 increase In the
import trade has been nineteen-fod with Asia, over
one Aundre1-io!d with America and only eleven-fod
with Europe. OF the total exports at present a
niue more IMAM Ha!i 20 20 Asia, less than one-siXth
TO Europe and over Third to America, while IN
imports the ratios arc two-hfths each from Asia
and Europe and uue-tlttl from America. our trade
with America WILL it is confidently believed become
even more prosperous when the natural resources
Of South America are exploited"
The principal commodities send Japan include
such raw products iron ana steel. leather and
raw cotton, and sIcn staples machinery Of all
kinds for manufact curing purposes. locomotives and
otAer rolling stock wheat. -four and petroleum In
return we take from her such commodities as raw
SIX, SILK Tissues. manufactured silks tea. pOrce-
lalus, camphor and goods OF all descriptions
Apart altogether from the relative effect
would have upon the commerce Of the two coun-
tries, taken As whole the japanese trade returns
tel! us that not only is America Japans great field
Of promise for future trade bat that She depends
upon this country for raw products and machinery
10 develop her industriasm America. on the
otAer hand depends upon the Island Empire for
practically nothing but luXUries which could DO
purchased elsewhere or. falling that. could be dis
peHEed with altogether with practically no inCOn-
veuicnce to the country's industrialism.
i seems obvious. therefore, from tho viewpoint
Of commerce, that Japan would be by far the
cat fFgTpT nIDrf
this country Besides, the future Of Japan
nation, her means TO equip soldiers and TO build
ships. her ability to hold what she has de-
ponds entirely upon the development Of her foreign
trade and her own trade reports admit that Amer
lea is by far the most promising field FOR that de
velopment.
But. supposing for instant that the rulers
of the ambitious empire OF the Far East were
mad enough TO ignore all considerations OF com
mercc and declare war against the United States
what is the position Of their national bank
count
Japan has already found out 10 her She was
financed through her struggle with Russia by the
United States and England. with the result that
her national debt now stands at something like
500 10000 within $50C0OO00 OF the amount Of the
net national debt Of tho United States. Upon this
huge amount Of borrowed money she Is paying
| from to per cent foreign loans and from
> 10 per cent interest upon internal loans.
But what is tho nations ability to pay these
heavy obligations? That would after all decide
her line OF credit in the money markets of tho
world If she wished to borrow more.
The countrys total revenue last year was less
than S2OG00OO0, while that OF the United States
was 1852 $4,000. Her total volume OF trade
$40 100000 while that OF this country otalled
nearly 50 coo OO0L0 More than all this. Japan has
pledged practically her entire revenue security
for the advances she has already received from the
worlds bankers Her customs receipts are pledged
her receipts from the tobacco monopoly, which IS
conducted by the government, are not available
In other words, the country IS virtually at the end
OF its financial tether. Where then would she get
the bone and sinews of war-and such war as
she would be up against did she attempt TO try
/ with the United StateSI
Where does her powerful ally. Great Britain
stand in the event of such war; Would that
two years ago. TO stand behind the japanese did
1bev declare war against America? If that was tho
case Janan's possibilities Of carrying on a war
with this country might not be so utterly hopeless
ru here again the Mikado's empire Is up against
The objects Of the AngIo-Japanese treaty are
/ stated in the preamble:
First there Is the consolidation and mainte-
nance OF general peace in the regions of Eastern
Asia and India
secondly there is 'the preservation of the COM
mon interests Of all powers IN China"
Thirdly there is 1.-THE maintenance of the terri
toral rights Of the high contracting parties in the
rnrtors Of Eastern Asia and India and the defence
of their special interests In the SAID regions
| Whenever these rights or interests are In 1eop-
| nd the Governments undertake 10 communicate
With each other fully and frankly. Whenever
| either OF them is involved in war in defence or
! its above mentioned rights or interests. by means
Of ,nprovol1ed attack aggression wherever
/ tba other contracting party Will at once come TO
the assistance of its ally and will conduct the war
! IN common and make peace in mutual agreement
! with il.
rs Is evident from the language OF the treaty