Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-05
JAPANESE TRADING
IN SOUTH AMERICA
Replacing German Activities and
Displacing American Bust
ness in Large Way.
ESTABLISH STEAMSHIP LINES
New Services Bring South Amer
lean Nations in Close Touch
With South Africa.
ny JOHN w. WHITE, JR.

BUENOS AIRES, August 4.-There
can no longer be any doubt that Japan
intends to take advantage Of the dis
organized commercial conditions In
South America and to get good foot
hold while the United States Is oc-
cupicd by the difficulties in Europe.
The intelligent commercial activi-
ties which are being displayed by
Japan in several of the South Ameri-
can countries are assuming proper
tions which call for attention. especial
ly as It appears that they are likely to
result In the permanent displacement
Of at least some German trade and a
good deal of American trade in Latin
America.
One OF the most important steps has
been the establishment of an impor-
tant service Of Japanese steamships
which run between Japan. China. South
Africa. Buenos Aires and Rio de ia
metro.
The second OF these steamers to ar
rive in Buenos Aires is the Tacoma
Maru. which reached here two days
ago with an important cargo. compris-
ing 27.316 bags Of rice. from Japan
and Hongkong. 1900 cases OF tea
from Cape Town and a large assert
ment OF toys. silk. porcelain. ETC.. from
Japan. She is taking from Buenos
Aires 1000 tons OF -four to Rio. $50
tons of canned meat to Cape Town, and
600 bales OF wool. 500 tons OF bones. 200
tons OF hoofs and 100 tons OF various
cargo. including quebracho extract,
hides. wool samples. to Japan. She is
expected to fill up at Santos and Rio de
Janeiro with about $500 tons of cof-
fee.
The Seattle Maru. of the same line.
was due to leave Yokohama for Buenos
Aires on June TO-
According to official statistical figures.
the value OF Argentine exports to Japan
in the first quarter OF the current year
was S79o.26l gold. as against nothing
In the same period of 1916. During the
whole of 1sI6 the value OF Argentine
tpnaEtsy.fxpIp. Japan was 3kIS2s2l2i
gold. an increase of sssi.616. 4t.S
per cent as compared with 1916, ;, ,s,&
Japan issdcSeloping an interest fofl
Argentine quebracho extract. which
will probably lead to big business
very soon. a small trial shipment
OF extract was made to Japan several
months ago. and 1t appears to have
been the forerunner of more important
signments
1t can be taken that the results were
quite satisfactory. as a further 700
tons is being shipped shortly.
4 number of highly competent jap
anese trade emssaries have been and
still are engaged in compiling de-
tailed reports upon conditions in Latin
America. and it is persistently report
ed that Japanese bank branches will
soon be established in this continent
Mr. Atsuo Ohno. OF the Yokohama Specie
Bank. has spent some months in Brazil
and is now studying Argentine con-
ditions, with view OF recommending
the opening OF branches or agencies
in both republics. The example set by
United States banks in opening
branches in South America has doubt
less been noted by the Japanese who
recognize that this procedure can be
highly effective in developing foreign
trade.
The new line brings South Africa
and South America much closer to-
gether than they have ever been
Among the passengers who arrived by
the Tacoma Maru was Mr. a. Zou-
lendyk. one of the principal customs
officials of the South African Union
Mr. Zoulendyk has been commissioned
by his government to inquire into
and report upon conditions in Argen-
tina from the point of view of trade
between this republic and South Africa
He was presented on the day of his ar
rival to some of the principal officials
of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and
OF the Ministry of Finance