Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-25
Japan STAGGERING
UNDER ITS TAXES
Nation Declared to Be Suffer-
ing From an Economic
Depression.
HOPES TO FIND RELIEF
THROUGH EXPORT TRADE
Toxic Has First Woman Bank Pres
ident-Child Taken Out of
Mans Side.
TOXIC, January :. 1914

lohiO, January >. 1911.
Despite official utteranccs to reassure
he public. Japan is declared in other
quarters 10 be suffering from an economic
depression In the northeastern section
/ famine has made the situation par
icuarly acute In some cases schools
lave had to close because there was no
money to pay the teachers and because
he children. weak from lack of food,
were unable to attend The Hokkaido
government has asked the central gov
,rnment to advance S15,0G0,0o0 for re-
icf funds.
The chief cause of the general dcpres-
ion which began about the time of the
Icath Of Emperor Mutsuhito, is the
Icavy taxation of the people, which is
necessary 10 pay the interest on the
RATIONAL debt of more than a billion dol
airs. The wave of citation among the
people at the close of the victorious war
With Russia and a patriotic business
poom also caused Il general rise in the
.tandard of living. and the price of com
nodities scared as a result of the more
INJURIOUS level of expenditure. Then
anne reaction. This was due to the bur-
len of extraordinary taxes to meet the
var debt and constant expenditures i'll
liz, building up of big army and navy.
The government. however, is attacking
he problem heroically by making heavy
,,.trcuchments. Much to the dissatisfac
ION of the army. it has been decided to
lhaudon for the present, at least, the
ong-standrs proposal to create two
more military divisions.
Promises Lower Taxes
Baron Takahashi. the minister of
nance. promises a reduction of taxes to
Iehtcn the burdens of the people. He
VfI1 ,ndeavor to continue the practice of
edcemins the national debt by $4,000 600
early He looks forward also to an in
.reaSe in the amount of capital invested
n the establishment or expansion of
ranking and industrial enterprises Cost
harbor improvements may be delayed,
Tut the authorities are actively planning
. build waterworks system in the
ity of Toxic and construct a sewage
Nstem of which the metropolis stands
,adlv in need in the interest of public
iealth. For these improvements loans
probably will soon be sought in Europe.
But il is by increasing her export trade
hat Japan hopes to find real relief Con-
inuous order in China, where revolution
upset the market for Japanese goods, and
ne opening of the Panama canal are
:reatly desired as furnishing means for
IuEnfentinS the exports and thereby re-
iucing the balance of trade which now
stands against Japan.
Everybody also is looking forward eager
to the coronation of the new emperor
lext fall as Signalling bright prospects
~ the fncreaSed demand for labor and
putting a large amount OF money into
circulation.
For Closer Friendship,
The Japanese business men who visited
he United States four years ago have
iecided upon n campaign for closer I'M
Outstanding between the two countries.
it a recent reunion. upon the anniver-
airy of the party's return after a four
nonth stay in America, resolutions were
gdopted asking friends in America to
issist in furthering the traditional friend
mp between Japan and the United
!tates. 1t was decided that members Of
he party should send personal letters to
heir American acquaintance seeking
heir aid in this cause
This is but one of many Indications Of
apan $ earnest desire to be understood
y the United States as fiI.st-class DOW
= and TO bring end to the movements
n the United States which hit the Japa-
tese.
IL would be mistake. however to be-
Ievc that Japan intends to drop the Cali
ornia land question. On the contrary,
here is every indication that she viii
tick tenaciousiy to her original position.
his point of view was voiced by Buci
>akano. president of the Toxic Chamber
{ Commerce while welcoming a party
( Japanese tourists from Sacramento
lie said 1t was source of deep regret
hat the land question remained unset
led. despite the united and assiduo,Is eff
oTts of both the Japanese government
.td the Japanese people for a speedy So
ution. 1t would require further effort
I'D the Japanse at home were fully pre-
Jared TO strive to the last for funda-
mental settlement.
First Woman Bank Head.