The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1907-12-27
THE JAPANESE
DRIVE ALL OUT
AND GERMAN STEAMERS
SUCCUMB no COMPETITION IN
THE ORIENT.

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 1O-That
Japan is not only planning to Outdis-
lance the United States in the strug-
gle for the commerce of the Pacific,
but has already driven the steamship
lines of every other nation out Of the
Chinese trade was the important state
ment made yesterday by Henry l.. Pad
dock, United States Consul at Annoy,
China, who arrived in this city on the
Pacific Mail Steamship Company's
steamship Korea Mr. Paddock was
accompanied by his wife, and after a
few days stay in San Francisco will
proceed to Washington.
The Japanese have captured the en-
tire ocean carrying trade of China
from HongkOng to Shanghai, said
Paddock Yesterday The British lines,
which some years ago monopolized
this business, are doing nothing The
same is true Of the German lines All
have succumbed to the competition OF
the japanese, aided by their large sub
sides, and the low pay Of their crews.
The recent complaint of Vice-Presi-
dent Schwerin, of the Pacific Mail S. S.
Company, that American lines were
unable to meet the rates made by the
Japanese companies, because of the
latter's subsidies and the lower cost
Of operation, was told to Consul Pad
dock
II can understand that the Ameri-
can lines are handicapped he said.
There is no doubt that the japanese
companies are able to quote lower
rates than American lines As to
whether this country ought to grant
subsidies, of course, ! cannot say.
have not made study of that aspect
of the question But that the Japa-
nese are capturing the carrying trade
of the Pacific there is no doubt. The
new ships, which they are putting in
design, and unless some stimulus is
given to Americans to compete with
them, we may expect to see the Stars
and Stripes become as unfamiliar on
the Pacific as on the Atlantic.
That this should happen is the
more to be regretted because Of the
present great internal development of
China, which opens up wide field for
commerce. There is no doubt that
| China is now experiencing a wonder
| full regeneration. Whether this will
be a permanent advancement or is sim
ply a passing phase, the result of it
is that China now affords a market
which this country cannot neglect
The changing conditions in China,
he said, were shown in every aspect or
the national life. In the administra-
ton of internal affairs it was notice
| able that the new boards were com-
posed of men of a different type from
| the Chinese officials of a few years
ago. A liberal spirit was driving out
the old conservative idea, and the old
squeeze" system, Synonymous with
graft" in this country, was falling
into disrepute.
The work of Yuan Shih-Kai, vicerOy
| of Chilli, the man of power in China
III SOOu shape. ne monetary system
measure to be credited for the new
conditions His work as minister o
army reorganization, and as head o
the railways of the empire, had don,
more than any other single agency t.
modernize China.
THE finances of China, he said
are in excellent condition. 1t is tru
that China is poor; poor that is, a
regards its per capita wealth. But tn
money there is kept in circulation al
the time and the national treasury l
in god shape. The monetary system
of the country, however, is wretched
and is the one great drawbacks to tn
country's commercial development
Several movements are on foot TO rem
edy this evil, and ultimately it will b
done
Consul Paddock may not return L
Annoy after his present leave of alb
Int I,y I,vr h.,