The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-26

Another important fact to be borne
In mind by merchants and manufac-
turers wanting business in Japan Is
that Japanese industrial life is ex-
banding in great variety of lines. and
close attention to this development is
necessary to secure share in this ex-
banding and newly developing trade.
This requires active and alert local
representatives. Americans are meet
ing with much success in the trade uf
Japan, and my Investigations convince
ME that this success is due to local
representation. supported by expert
agents, being provided as required.
Representatives of other countries are
realizing this American advantage and
I are advising their countrymen to fol-
low it.
Japan is endeavoring to expand into
u manufacturing country. The govern
ment, by general legislation. by it's
tariff, its subsidies. its banking capital,
and the use OF its national credit to
borrow money at low rate of interest
and reloaning to manufacturers and
commercial people by its scientific and
commercial experts. seems determined
to make Japan a great manufacturing
country for oriental markets. One of
the greatest generals of industry in the
United States said to ME recently:
The highway Of American commerce
to the orient leads through Japan"
While this statement should not be
taken as applicable to every form of
oriental trade. still l am convinced
that in general it will hold good; hence
merchants and manufacturers will
profit by examining the trade of the
orient from this point Of view.
In many lines American manufac-
turers will do we'll to have the cruder
and coarser parts of their machinery
manufactured in Japan. A study of
the tariff and advantages offered by
the Japanese government will show
this advice to be based upon consid-
Grafton of a part of a national policy.
l would especially advise American
manufacturers to make careful in
vestigation of the conditions that cause
this opinion to be expressed.
There is much more to be gained
by working in harmony with Japan for
the trade of the orient than by in
augurating a policy of stubborn oppo-
sition and blind competition
Concerning packing, shipping and
alteration of products to suit this
trade, it is useless to repeat the advice
so often given by consult, for each line
has its own competition to meet, and
all of these things are made effective
only through the eyes of interested
representatives. l desire to empha-
size, however, the importance of send
Ing special representatives to carefully
study all of these problems on the
ground and urge upon the home houses
to heed the advice and instructions of
such representatives. In many lines
the trade of the orient is going to be
sufficient to justify extensive prepare
tons and special provisions to secure
and hold it. 1t is the ability to know
and to provide for what is wanted that
makes the local representatives effect
i've. Manufacturers should understand
that in this market they are Compel
ing with Great Britain, France, Ger
many, Belgium and many other coun-
tries, most of which are anxious and
willing to alter, pack and in every
way provide for the special require
ments of this market.
Another important feature for our
merchants and manufacturers to note
is the fact that the Japanese govern
ment instantly gives scientific assist
ance to the merchants and maufac-
turers; hence successful deception in
the character or quality of goods can
not be carried out. The analysis CT
-four, for instance, is provided for by
the government. The representative
here of an important flour importing
firm learned for the first time the fact
that his firm had materially altered
the quality of certain brand of -four
by government report upon it.
To emphasize the important require
ments for meeting the growing trade
of the orient repeat them:
First, local representatives; second,
expert supervision and assistance;
third, meeting the requirements by
making special arrangements for the
trade; and. fourth, transferring, if nee
essary, portion of the manufacturing
to China or Japan.-Consular Reports.