Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1909-01-02
THE AMERICAN JAPANESE UNDERSTANDING
(BY M. M. SCOTT in Hawaii shinpo)

their surplus money TO better advan-
tage in the exploitation of their
home commerce and industries than
In competing with other nations in
the foreign-carrying trade. This
last condition has undoubtedly pre-
vailed in the United States since the
Civil war.
REWRITING to the recent diplomatic
understanding between Japan and
the United States, then. regarding
their intent, purpose. and policy in
the Pacific, IL is as sure, as anything
human can be that reign of peace-
full commercial activity will perma-
nently prevail in this great ocean,
and that, whatever nation may have
the most ships engaged in transpor-
tation, the United States and Japan
will furnish most of the goods trans
ported
As an earnest of the commercial
future. let us revert to brief pc
riod in the past.
In the year 1870, Japan imported
from the United States merchandise
to the amount of 100000, consist
ing chiefly of kerosene and lamps. IN
the year 1906, the imports from the
United States amounted to the round
sum of s60,000,000. As late as
1891, the import and export trade of
japan amounted to a little less than
S1OO, 900, and in 1906. II reach
ed the colossal sum of sii6,O00, 900.
nearly one-half of which was with
the United States.
| IL may be affirmed, ] think, with
out any color of Boosting, that In the
future, Japan is certain to hold the
industrial and commercial hegcmony
of Eastern Asia. She must of neces-
sity, import much of her raw, partly
finished, and finished goods from
America, both in her direct and in
direct trade. The completion of the
Isthmian Canal, giving quick access
to the great Mississippi Valley, will
vastly increase the trade activities of
the two nations. There are those
now living who will see great Japan
csc and American freighters load on
the great lakes, go down the Missis-
'sippi, through the Canal, via Homo
lulu, and discharge cargoes at Yoko-
hama, Kobe. Nngasakl, Shanghai,
and many other ports In Eastern
Asia. No other country In proper
ton to its size. population, and IN
terested in the Acknowledgements
Understanding than the Territory Of
Hawaii. She, in peculiar sense, typ
ifies the necessity of peace, friend
ship, and goodwill between the two
great nations, and peoples. japan
has already a large population here,
peacefully engaged In all the activi-
ties OF human life. A large number
of japanese children have been born
In this Territory, are being educated
here alongside their American breth'
rem. This is the only country they
Twill know. Whatever may betide
these children will grow up, at Least
many of them, as patriotic japanese
Americans. They will take pride II
the peaceful and progressive achieve
ments OF the race Of their descent
and OF the race into which they hav'
lbeen adopted. Prophecy Is danger
Gus. The wisest man cannot divin,
the future. But II present events
and tendencies cast their shadows be
fore, Hawaii will reap the creates
reward from the assured tranqulllt!
resulting from the last, and, perhaps
the greatest diplomatic triumph be
tween America aud Japan; and tn,
time seems not distant when Hawai-
will not only be the "Cross-Roads,
but the "Clearance-IIouse" of the Pa
cific.