The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-08-23

sponses to inquiries of this nature. ii
is possible TO point out that, barring
any special tariff convention with
Japan such as Great Britain, Ger
many and France have. American i'm
ports may be considered as subject to
the statutory duties except as they
are entitled TO conventional rates by
virtue of the INSTRUMENTATION
clause.
It is assumed that probably, when
the most favored nation relinquishes
its rights TO these rates, the American
exporters would cease to be entitled TO
them under the terms of the present
treaty In event that Japan concludes
new tariff conventions with but one
or two countries. whatever special
rates may be fixed thereby will in the
customary way extend to Americans
equally concerned.
In the enforcement of Japan's new
tariff the other commercial nations
have more than a passing interest. To
begin with in Japan labor is exceed
ingly cheap. The people are clever
artisans. The natural resources OF the
country are great
Today the people of Japan are, as
a rule. making what they have to sell
in their houses or small shops, and
they undoubtedly possess possibilities
of immense fortunes by virtue OF the
mere deftness of their fingers. With
these conditions and an estimated
100000 horsepower available for
hydrO-electric harness. Japan, on a
protective tariff basis. may be expect
ed TO make a remarkable record by
assembling its cheap and clever hand
labor into mills and factories provided
with the most modern power machin-
cry and thus converting a large share
OF its exports from raw to manufac-
tured goods.
Japan, too, is taking some interest
in the matter of conservation, and
the great value and Importance If its
water power resources are beginning
to be appreciated. Heretofore p~o-
yincial authorities have granted GER
tain water-power rights. but now the
central government authorities have
taken the matter into their own
hands, with the intention of inaugu-
rating a characteristic japanese sys-
TEN OF exact procedure in the conser-
walton Of the country's extensive ny
dro-electric possibilities. The promo
ton Of industries and providing new
means Of raising revenue are here
combined in advancing reasons why
the government should inaugurate the
new system of conservation.
According TO the consular reports
there has been a rush for WATERPROOF
er rights throughout the japanese en-
pire. 1t is evident. also, according to
the same authority, that these rights
are being sought for speculative pur-
poses.
1t is a matter of some interest that
American capital is largely interested
in hydro-electrie enterprises in Japan,
and under favorable conditions Amer
lean capital is ready for large invest
ment in extensive power plants. Japan
is well adapted for this purpose and
such enterprises would convert the
Tokyo Y olIohama and the Osaka
Kobe sections into two of the worlds
greatest manufacturing centers.
American capital may be prfitabIy
invested in manufacturing enterprises
in Japan. but the more successful such
enterprises become the more will
American goods be displaced in the
markets OF the world How to meet
japanese competition is one of the
great problems now confronting the
American people. 1t cannt be done
by inaugurating a system Of free
trade or by cutting tariff schedules
10 a point where the oriental goods
can be imported at a profit.
In view OF the rise Of Japan as a
commercial nation and the fact that
China is adopting western civilization
and will soon utilize her cheap labor
in manufacturing all the articles she
now imports, the United States will be
compelled TO stand by its protective
tariff system or abandon the field.