The Hawaiian gazette., 1907-01-08
JAPAN GAINING
PACIFIC CONTROL

When NJ. Shiraishi, general manager
of the Togo Kaisen Kaisha, passed
through this city 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
ject 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
ciic Mail Company was willing to sell
it's line to the Japanese.
Gas it is," said Schwerin, "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
tlo with them.
"I am confident that 1t is only a
matter Of time when the Japanese will
81 La % Do tEn
ocean. In fact this condition may be
reached within a year and half, when
threo sister ships to the Korea and ST.
beTia now being built in Japan will be
in tho trade.
"Tho immense subsidies allowed their
ships by the Japanese Government are
responsible for tho activity of the
Japanese lines. As an example of the
generosity Of the Japanese Government
I may say il the Manchuria, Korea and
Siberia were built in japan and carried
its Aas In transpacifc trade the ship
owners would receive 100000 yen a
year from the Government. In our
coinage this would amount to 81, 900, 900.
The owners Of the three ships now
building will receive 100000 yen a
year when they enter the Pacific trade.
"we are afforded no privileges and
in fact are hsmperod by the Govern
mont instead Of receiving assistance.
Following shs 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 Greet tables and benches
for the accommodation Of steerage pas,
sengers. That is law to obviate
Eastern troubles made effective in the
West where they did not exist.
"We complied with the law imme-
diately, and thereby lost 20 per cent. of
accommod odation space. There never
was a Japanese six feet tall, and they
refuse to eat their meals seated at
table. The Chinese also are not tall
men and want to eat their meals In a
squatting posture. That is only one
example of the adverse condition we
are laboring under.
"The japanese lines have every kind
of assistance. They have financial aid,
Governmental aid and patriotic aid. For
an American vessel none of these is ac-
corded. In fact it would seem that our
own Government objects to the Amer
lean flag operating on the high seas.
"Japan is not alone in its extra
ordinary advantages. England, France
and Germany give assistance to their
shipping which American ship owners
do not enjoy.
"It is Japan's aim to become to the
Orient what England is to the Occident,
and in time, unless the United States
becomes more generous, it will attain
its ambition.
"Whether the Pacific Mail will be
sold to the Toyo Kisen Kaisha or
whether the company is willing to sell
to the Japanese l can not say, but it
is certain the Japanese are making
strides which under the present ship
ping laws we are unable to check. -
| S. u. Chronicle, Dee. %.