Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-01-23
JAPAN and the CANAL

Japan's commerce as affected by the Panam
anal is given striking presentation in a recer
ssuc of the New York Sun. Apparently tn
'un's expert sees little likelihood of Japan usin
he Big Ditch extensively for some years at leas
'olne of the points made are: -
AS Is we'll known, Japanese shppingmen are
keeny exercised the mercantile problems which
the opening of the Panama Canal must present and
they have already taken steps to examine the posi-
bities and probabilities Systematically and thor
oughly. x = I .>.. -.
The Nippon Yusen, Togo Kisen and Osaka Shosen
Kaisha recently sent agents to the Canal Zone for
the purpose Of ascertaining all the factors in the sit
uaton so far that was possible, but it would APP
pear that the elements of uncertainty are great in
all the calculations that any forecast of develop
ments, and accordingly any measures to meet these
developments, exceedingly hard to frame 1t may
be said, however, that the opinion is held generally
in Japan that the opening of the canal is by no
means certain to affect the trade in the far east ma
terially, at least for some time to come.
In the first place, since the voyage to Europe via
Panama will only be few days shorter than via
Suez and ships taking the former route will be at
disadvantage in having far fewer ports of call at
which they can pick up cargo and passengers and
take COAL 1t is not believed that there will be any
diversion OF traffic from the Suez route so far
vessels bound to and from Europe are concerned
ira vessel were to follow the route to Europe via
Honolulu and Panama she could not expect any car
60 other than that billed through, since the trade
between Japan and the other countries touched en-
route is negligible and that between American ports
including Honolulu is forbidden to all save Ameri-
can vessels Moreover the vessel would have to car
ry considerable amount Of coal for steamng across
the Pacific and If the supply were renewed at Pa
the price would be higher than at ports along
the Suez route since the coal at Panama would have
been carried thither from the United States Should
OIL be used for fuel the would be somewhat diff
ferent, but then the lack of interpret trade
would not be affected.
Again, trade between the far east and the eastern
states of South America is so small and will appar-
emily remain so small for many years to come that
there is little prospect of profitable of the Pa
nema Canal for vessels plying between Asatic ports
; and Rio de Janero, Montevideo and Buenos Ayres.
Even in the case of the western states of South
America, which much nearer Japan, it has
been found necessary to largely subsdize the T. K.
K. line, small is the volume of trade. The bulk
Of the inward cargoes consists of Chilean nitrate for
fertilizing purposes, and although there Is grow
ing export trade of rice from Rangoon ETC.. the out
still heavier the T. K K line it not for the
emigrant traffic.
Should emigration be encouraged to Brazil and
Argentina, and these latter countries raise objec
ton, 1t is thought that line to Rio Janeiro and
Euenos Ayres with saings every two months might
be warranted, but such line would almost certainly
be loss at the start and much depends what the
governments would do.
On the other hand, 1t is deemed highly probable
that some of the trade with the eastern division of
the United States will be diverted from the rail and
sea route via San Francisco and Seattle to the all
route via Panama.