Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-12-10
Yankee Merchants on Pacific
Can Ship Goods to
Japan
laps lsok For Big Extension
Of Trade 10 the
Americas

i /,
are under way between the Japanese
Foreign Office and Thomas Sammons,
United States consul-general at Yok-
ohama, for an informal understanding
whereby Pacific coast products may
be introduced into Japan in large
quantities as the result of a proposed
lowering of Japan's tariff. These ne.
gotiatiOns are closely allied with the
study oby both countries of the effect
of the opening of the Panama canal
on commerce. II Japan accords re-.
auctions to Pacific coast products,
especially in canned goods, California
wines, nuts, dried fruits, wheat, -four
and lumber, Japan will expect some
sort of reciprocal treatment For in.
stance, Japanese. merchants are spe.
cially DESTROYS Of obtaining more ia.
vorable schedules from the United
States on silk fabrics, and it was I'm.
derstood here that the new tariff bill
provided for some reduction.
With Japan looking forward to a
big extension in trade, both in North
and South America, the Investigations
here indicate that the United States
on her part should be benefited great
ly by the opening of the canal in an
increased trade to Japan and it's col.
onies. The expectation of products
from the United States to Japan is
augmenting more quickly than from
other parts of the world. The prin.
cipal products, including raw cotton,
metals, machinery, iron and steel
products and kerosene, come to Japan
chiefly from the Atlantic coast by
railroad and ocean, and the Panama
waterway with reduced freight rates
and reduced time of transit should
enlarge the markets considerably.
Experience here shows that the
American trader usually succeeds in
the Far East, but owing to the keen
competition it will be. necessary for
him to accept small profits in certain
lines and, above all. keep continually
in touch with prevailing conditions
and trade opportunities.
An enlarged market for American
goods will be found in Korea after
the canals opening, in consequence
Of the lower freights and quicker
delivery. The importation would in.
clude American machinery for mines
and railways, steel for bridges, auto
mobiles, cotton manufactures and
rice from Texas and Louisiana. De.
spite the enormous rice crop in Jap
an, the harvest Is not sufficient to
feed its population. and importation
is necessary,
Investigation in Hokkaido, the nor.
thern island Of Japan, shows likeli.
hood of considerable increase of
exports to the United States, espe.
cially beans, canned crab, shrimp and
sardines, which are in great demanu
in the Atlantic coast states. For.
two years there has been spirited
competition between the European
and the American buyers for the can.
ned crab of Hokkaid0. On account
Of the better shipping facilities the
European buyers have been enabled
to pay higher price. As most of
these crabs 60 to New York, buyers
will no doubt ship by direct steamer
from Yokohama to New York, 4.
The same is true of the bean trade,
the demand in the United States for
Hokkaido beans being larger every
year. There also Is q big demand in
New York and the Atlantic cities for
Japanese oak and timber. This is
now bought by the Germans and tho
British, shipped to Europe via Suez
and reshipped to New York.
With the opening Of the Panama
canal, American buyers will doubt
less purchase directly and have their
consignments shipped by way Of Am.
erican waterway, thus saving the
profit that goes to German and Brit
ish merchants. Thus both in exports
and imports the Atlantic seaboard
will benefit in trade by the compile,
tion Of the canal
WEST VIRGINIA. COAL MINING
lN81lTuTE.
Charleston. w. Va, Dec. 9.-Sev.
eral hundred Of the Seading coal men
Of the state are attending the semi.
annual meeting Of the West Virginia
Coal Mining institute, which began .
three days session here today. In
addition to papers on technical sub.
jects the program calls for addresses
I0n the operations Of the workman's