The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-11-15
JAPAN FIGHTING :
HARD IN WAR FOR
WORLD MARKETS
Has Made Tremendous Strides
in Manufacturing and EX-
porting Since 1914
HER INDUSTRIES THRIVING
Has Captured Markets Held by Other
Natlons-Trade to Australia Quad
rupIed-euIldIng 100000 Tons on
Shipping to Handle Export Expanslon

l
In the past few years Japan has un-
dergone a tremendous Industrial devel-
opment. The enormous progress made
by her in manufacturing and export.
ing since the outbreak of the war II
little realized in this country.
1t is not fully recognized that Japan
is gradually changing from an agTicul-
tural to an Industrial country, and that
in her new drive to win some Of the
foreign markets she has captured con-
siderable Of the business which was
| formerly held by this country. Tho
great expansion Of her foreign trade
since 1914 is shown by the on1cial re-
turns Of her trade In 1915
Exports Far In Excess Of Imports.
During that year the total value Of
imports was 756,500, 900 yen, being an
increase Of $4,000, 900, while the SD
ports for the same period amounted to
LIFT 800, 900 yen, being an increase Of
about 100000 yen. The actual ex'
CESS of exports over imports for the
year was 871 100000 yen, as compared
with ITO, 100000 yen for 1915.
The changed position which has
taken place since the beginning Of the
war may be seen from the fact that
for the year 1914 there was actually
an excess in the value OF the imports
over exports of about 100000 yen.
Cotton manufacture is one OF her
principal industries, and the statistics
show that the average number Of spin
dies working daily in Japan in 1914
(the latest available year, was nearly
2,500,O00. Wool manufacture was not
carried on before the war to any great
extent, but 1t has now received a con-
siderable impetus, and Japanese fac
tories are executing orders from the
Russian Government.
The production of iron and stool
boS z government and private works
-f1s also been very considerable, the
best iron ores being imported from
China japan has some 100000 tons
Of shipping now under construction,
and the industry is in a fourishing
condition. Her merchant marine con-
slsts OF 2,17O steamers Of 1,7o4, 1856
tons, and 9,1S7 sailing ships Of 672, ,403
tons. Ocean-going steamers exceeding
10000 tons number 448, with a total
tonnage of 1,42S,212 tons. Thirty-nins
cean-going steamers of 140,236 tons
were launched from Japanese yards in
1915.
May Use American Machinery.
1t might be added that Japan is now
investigating the possibility Of using
American cotton-spinning machinery
In their mills. The extent Of purchases
already decided on is estimated at
200 900 spindlss.
How her credit stands may be seen
from the fact that her ~ per cent.
loan is quoted on the London Stock
Exchange at 91h, yielding at that
price, interest of nearly per cent.
Great Britain's ~ par cent loan Is
quoted at 92A, 80 We see how the rela'
tive positions of the two countries
have changed since 1914. Before that
fatsful time no one would have
dreamed Of comparing the two credits.
Already Japanese manufacturers
have quadrupled their exports to Aus
tralia. Ships which IN the past aver
aged a cargo of $50 tons now bring to
Sydney $500 tons. The Japanese have
captured great deal Of the trade once
firmly held by American, British, Ger
man and French exporters. In the silk
market they nave won the premier
position, and Australian shops are now
filed to overhowing with cheap jap
anese silks.
The following Japanese goods ara
now sold with great success in the
Australian market: Glasses, scientific
instruments, silks, Panama hats, cot
tons, toys, insulators, electric light ap'
paratus, camphor, sulphur oil, matches.
basketware, rubber tires, bottles, por'
celain.
Japan's rapid industrial and com'
mercial strides will serve to intensity
the formidable competition which the
American manufacturer will have to
meet both in domestic and foreign
markets after the war. They afford
another striking proof Of the necessity
for restoring friendly relations be-
tween capital and labor, securing few
er and better business laws ana
moulding a better public attitude to-
ward business so that American In
Austry may be rid of it's harassmenta
and made strong for the trade fight
after the restoration Of peace.-INdWs-
trial Conservation, NetO York.
EaANnn Aha o,nhIln Ka,hnA