New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-21
American Bottoms Dis
placed by Japanese and
Dutch Vessels.
BUT UNITED STATES
is GAINING SLOWLY
Growth of Japan's Trade
Due to Readiness to
Grasp Opportunity.
From Tie Trouns Bureau J

Washington, Sept. 2o.-The decline Of
American shipping from 81 per cent OF
the total transpacifc shipping prior
10 the war TO an almost negligible
quantity Of per cent, the increase Of
japanese shipping from 80 70 55 per
cent and jump in Dutch shipping in
the Pacific from practically nothing
70 10 per cent are some of the interest
ing facts brought out by report on
transpacifc shipping prepared By Com
mercial Attache Julian Arnold in Pc
king.
But Mr.. Arnold says that gradually
the American flag Is returning TO the
Pacific" and he adds: The United
States has more merchant vessels un-
der construction than any other coun-
try in the world, and while the greater
part Of this new tonnage is not intend
ed for immediate use on the Pacific it
is probable that sooner or later some
Of il will be diverted TO the Far East
ern trade. Whether American ship
ping will fully regain its former stand
ing on the Pacific cannot now be def
nitely foretold, but there is no further
danger Of the flag disappearing in that
quarter"
While failing 20 mention the effect
/ OF the seamens act on American ship
ping and attributing the loss wholly 10
the European war, Mr. Arnold shows
that American tonnage engaged in this
trade prior to the war totailed $4,000
gross tons. It declined from this figure
to 5000 tons, but, says Mr.. Arnold. the
recent purchase Of three large ships by
the Pacific Mail Steamship Company
marked the turning point in the fort
unes Of American shipping on the Pa
cifc. This purchase adds l7,l00 gross
tons to the 5000 tons that remained
Big Drop in Total Tonnage.
The total shipping OF all nations en-
gagged in transpacifc trade has
dropped from $4,000 gross tons TO
| 100000 tons since the beginning Of the
European war Great Britain's ship
ping in the Pacific prior TO the war
was 80 per cent Of the total, or 10000
/ gross tons, but her withdrawal Of ves-
/ sells Gggregating about $4,000 gross
/ tons reduced her shipping 20 80 per
cent. British shipping in th.s ire lie at
! the present time is $4,000 gross tens.
The predominant position in the
trsnspac.hc shipping situation won By
Japan since the beginning Of the war is
particularly emphasized by Mr.. Arnold.
/ japanese tonnage prior 20 the war to-
tailed $4,000 tons This has since
been increased 20 $4,000 tons. not tax
ing in.o account 10000 tons fer jap
anese tramp steamers.
japanese shipyards are taxed 70 the
| limit of their capacities. Orders for
ships from abroad have been refused,
as the yards have booked orders for
japanese ships that will keep them
/ busy for the next two years. The
builders. however, are handicapped by
a lack of material, and one large ship
/ building company is buying all OF its
material from this country. Boilers,
engines and other fittings cannot be
had at reasonable prices, ior they
cannot be manufactured az home as
cheaply as they can be turned out IN
the United States and England.
Japan Seizes Opportunity.
/ In spite Of all handicaps, however,
Japan is losing no time IN taking adj
vantage of the present opportunities.
| Purchases Of foreign ships have been
made az high prices. The report calls
attention 20 the fact that although the
/ keel Of the first steel vessel was laid
in Japan as late as 1890, the present
/ shipping tonnage of the country, IN
GLIDING vessels registered IN the col
onies, is 2,l59,000 gross tons.
/ Shortly after the outbreak OF the
war" says Mr. Arnold, the Paeihc
trade was virtually left 70 the Jap
anese and American shipping com
panies, which offered a total annual
cargo-carrying capacity OF about iOO,-
600 tons; but just al this time Amer
lean ships were withdrawn from the
Pacific. During the six months follow
/ ing this withdrawal the trans-Pacifc
trade fell almost entirely 10 japanese
ships, for Japan was prepared, with
its heavy subsidiZe companies and us
shipping interests buying up and
chartering every possible craft, 10
take advantage Of this opportunity.
The Chinese are also busy at their
wards in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
although handicapped by scarcity OF
materials. One Hong Kong company
is at work on eight ocean freignters
for Norwegian owners. Two more OF
similar type will be started as soon
as facilities will permit. and there are
additional contracts for I'VE others
This company recently voted 70 IN
crease It's capital stock 70 sl'5OO,OOO'