Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-03-23
IS ENJOYING
UNUSUAL PROSPERITY
War Has Given Mikado's King
dom Greatest Era of Ma
terial Welfare.

Tokio-Never in her history has
Japan met with such a period of ma
terial prosperity as today. This is en-
tirely due to the war. The entente
allies have been buying great guam
titles of war supplies since the begin
ming of the conflict and more Orders
are being placed constantly. Money is
literally pouring into the country in
such quantities that there is actually
a plethora of it. Money has become
so cheap that bankers have begun to
complain.
The first great call upon Japan has
been made and will continue to De
made by Russia. The exports to Rus
STA have realized several million yen.
They include not alone military equip
ment and supplies such as guns, rlfies
and ammunition, but huge quantities
of cloth. many hundred thousands OF
pairs of boots. leather pouches. caps,
sashes. food products and medlcal
supplies. Even rice is exported to
Russia to be made into cruel for
wounded soldiers and of the medical
expectation a notable item Is ttncture
of iodine.
Another great channel in which
Japan is finding prosperity is through
her shipping. Her big merchant ma
rine is not only transporting supplies
for the entente powers. but so far as
the Orient is concerned has practically
taken over at an immense proflt the
sea transportation which is held In
time of peace by the vessels of Great
Britain. Freight charges to all points
including the United States have
scared and japanese shipping COM
panies a recently petitioned the
department of communications to
sanction a further increase in tariffs.
The year 1915 was exceptional In
Japanese trade, but this year is eN-
pected to prove still more remarkable.
Last year the total exports amounted
to about $3.50, 600 900 and the imports
to about $2G6, 000, 600. The total trade
| was $616. O0O, 900. Compared with the
| preceding year the figures show an IN
! crease of about SOS, 900 900 on exports
| and a decrease of S31,500,000 on i'm
ports. Whereas in 1914 imports eX-
| ceeded exports by s2.S17,OO0 the bal
| ance of trade last year was in favor
| of exports by about sS4. 100000. Any
thing approaching such a large excess
of exports is unprecedented in the an
| nails of foreign trade in Japan. BY
| glancing over the trade returns for the
last 10 years. it will be found that with
the exception of 1906 and 1909 when
exports, owing to greatly reduced i'm
| ports, We're in excess by S2,4S5, 900 and
by $9.456,000 respectively, the balance
of trade for the remaining eight years
shows an excess of imports ranging
from $2,317,000 to $4S.4S5, 900. In 1914
the outbreak of the war diminish the
volume of trade. especially that of i'm
ports. This explains the fact that in
that year the excess of imports over
exports amounted to only $2.317,OOO,
as compared with s4S,4S5 900 recorded
for 1913 and with $46, 000. 900 for 1912.
With the continuation of the war last
year importations still further dimin-
ished while a remarkable increase was
noted in the export trade. The mar
kets in India South America and other
places previously taking German anc
Austrian goods demanded japanese
substitutes for goods which no longer
came out from Europe. All this com
bined to create q new record in
ports, while the difficulty OF Europe
in sending its goods abroad contributed
to a decrease of imports into Japan.
Among the import goods showing {
falling off are iron, dyestuffs and Other
important requisites for manufacturing
industry. This had the effect o
checking expectation to some extent
and has encouraged company pro
motors to form plans for placing ia
pans industry and commerce on
self supporting and permanent basis