Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-11-30
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
Nations-Trade to Australia Quad
rupled-RuiIding 100000 Tons Of
Shipping to Handle Export Expansion

Shipping to Handle Export Expansion
In the past few years Japan has IN
dergone tremendous Industrial devel-
opment The enormous progress made
by her in manufacturing and export
ing since the outbreak of the war is
little realized in this country. ,..
1t is not fully recognized that Japan
is gradually changing from an sgTicul-
tural to an industrial country, and that
foreign markets she has captured con-
siderable Of the business which was
formerly held by this country. The
great expansion Of her foreign trade
since 19l4 is shown by the. official ra-
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 224,ooo,oo0, while the ex-
ports for the same period amounted to
1,f27 800 900 yen, being an Increase Of
about 419, ooo,0o0 yen. The actual ex-
cess Of exports over imports for the
year was 371, 100000 yen, as compared
with 10000, 900 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 Of spin
dies working daily in Japan in 1914
(the latest available year,. was nearly
$500, vO0. Wool manufacture was not
carried on before the war to any great
extent, bat It has now received a con-
siderable impetus, and Japanese fac
tories are executing orders from the
Russian Government.
The production Of iron and steel
both in government and private works
has also been very considerable, the
best ron 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-
sists of 2,170 steamers Of 1,7o4, 785
tons, and 9,1S7 sailing ships Of 572,403
tons. Ocean-going steamers exceeding
10000 tons number 448, with a total
tonnage Of 1,428,212 tons. Thirty-nine
ocean-going steamers Of 14Q,236 tons
we're launched from Japanese yards in
1916.
May Use American Machinery.
It 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
100000 spindles.
HOW her credit stands may be seen
from the fact that her Az per cent.
loan is quoted on the London Stock
Exchange at 91h, yielding at that
price, interest of nearly per cent.
Great Brttain's Az per cent. loan is
quoted at ON, 30 We see how the rcla-
tive positions of the two countries
have changed since 1914. Before that
fatoful time no one wesh nave
dreamed OF comparing the two credits-
Already Japanese manufacturers
have auadrupled their experts TO Aus
srnlta- Ships which In the past aver
aged q cargo OF 80 tons new bring TO
Sydney $500 toHs. The japanese have
captured q great deal OF the trade once
firmly held by American. British. Ger
man and Preaeh exporters. In the silk
market they nave won the premier
position, and Australian shops are now
filed to OVERLOOKING with cheap Jap
ansss silks.
The following japanese goods are
now sold with great success In the
Australian market: Glasses, scientific
instruments, silks, Panama hats. cot
tons. toys, ineulators, electric light ap-
paratus, camphor, sulphur oil. matches,
basketware, rubber tires. bottles, por-
celain.
rJapans rapid industrial and COM
mereisi 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-
or and better business laws and
moulding a better public attitude to-
ward business 80 that American In
dustry may be rid OF its harassments
and made strong for the trade fight
after the restoration Of peace.-IHdas-
trial Conservation, Neto York.
Feeling the Public Pulse.