The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-10-25
JAPAN EXPECTS PROFITS.
ISLAND EMPIRE LOOKS FOR
WARD To OPENING OF PANA-
MA CANAL.
VIII Increase Export Trade-To Use
All Water Route to East Coast OF
Americans - Outlet for Surplus
Population

make long strides I'm her foreign com
msrcs as a result of the opening OF
the Panama Canal. The ports on the
eastern coast OF both South and North
America are at once opened up to her
export trade, and everything possible
win be done to find markets there for
Japanese goods.
The present trade routes from Japan
to European ports by way OF the Suez
Canal will not be affected by the oper-
alton OF the Panama route. japanese
steamers win continue running by
way OF Sues. for they are thereby en-
abled to pick up freight at many
ports on the way in China, India and
In the Mediterranean. Hence 1t has
been decided here that 1t will be un-
profitable to divert steamships to Eu-
rope by way OF Panama, as no freight
can be delivered or obtained in the
long stretch across the Pacific.
But new lines of steamers eventual
y will be sent to New York and to
the eastern coast of South America,
where japan hopes to find big mar
kets for her china and lacquered ware,
her straw mattings and straw braids,
an well as her teas. and at the same
ne increase her markets for raw
t.i6.
Another important result of the
opening of the canal will be the d.
version OF much OF the reight which
now is transported 10 points on the
Pacific slope OF the United states. and
thence shipped by rail- to Eastern
States. A considerable economy In
freight charges will be effected by
either dispatching this merchandise
direct TO New York from Japan by
steamers or sending around from San
Francisco. after Japanese steamers
have called at the Pacific metropolis.
An exhaustive study OF the effects
OF the Panama Canal on japanese
maritime commerce. both for the pres
ent and the future. has just been COM
pleted by the Ministry OF Commerce.
The departments experts figure that
n 80 per cent economy will be made
by shipping direct to New York by
steamer. instead Of sending II across
the continent by rail from the Pacific
Coast. II is UNLIKELY. however. that
any change will be made in the man
ner OF shipping raw silk, of which the
exports to the United States amounted
TO s57.ooo.ooo last year. as on account
OF interest charges merchants will de-
sire their payments as quickly as pos
sible. At the same time the lower
cost OF freight will enable Japan to
import from the United States more
raw cotton. machinery ana ,ocomo-
tives.
Another important benefit to Japan
will be that of permitting her to send
direct 90 Brazil, and later possibly to
other countries. Japanese emigrants
who are expected to 20 to South
America In increasingly large num-
bers. Five thousand aaborers were
sent TO Brasil last year; 5000 were
transported I'm the spring. and an ad-
ditional 1000 or 1000 departed In
September-all to labor In the &C Zee
fields OF Brazil. The steamers car
rying these emigrants now pass by
way OF the Suez canal. They will go
by Panama as soon as the new water
way Is opened.
The japanese government Is now
considering the question Of increased
subsidies for Japanese steamship
lines. which would permit the building
OF additional steamers for the Panama
route. The three great Japanese COM
panies are the Toyo Kisen Kaisha. the
Nippon Yusen Kaisha and the Osaka
Shosen Kaisha. All Of these concerns
are now building additional vessels.
most OF which ara destined for the
increased commerce to European
points. II. as seems likely. the gov
eminent will increase the subsidies. 1t
In probable that steps will be taken
To lay down ships which will sail TO
new markets In the Western Hempis-
phers.
To sum mp the situation, Japan ex-
poets to benefit greatly. In CONNER
cial sense. from opening OF the Pana-
ma Canal As years go OH. she expects
to occupy an increasingly important
place In the Western markets and
hence a greater position In the worlds
commerce. Manufacturing Is stead
lily developing In the industrial centres
OF japan. and the empire easily can
supply additional world markets. In
creased exports mean Increased gold
supplies. and gold is the metal ia
pan needs to build up ar a strengthen