The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-11-29
JAPAN FIGHTING
HARD IN WAR Fer
WORLD MARKETS
Has Made Tremendous Strides
in Manufacturing and EV-
porting Since 1914.
HER INDUSTRIES THRIWNG
Has Captured Markets Held by Other
Nations-Trade to Australia Quad
rupIed-suIIdine 100000 Tons Of
Shipping to Handle Export Expansion


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 is
little realized in this country.
1t is not fully recognized that Japan
Is gradually changing from an agricul-
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. The
great expansion Of her foreign trade
since 1914 Is shown by the official re-
turns of her trade in 1916.
Exports Far in Excess Of imports.
During that year the total value OF
imports was 756,5OO000 yen, being an
increase Of 224,00O,000, while the ex'
ports for the same period amounted to
1927, SOC, 900 yen, being an increase OF
about AIS, ,000,0O0 yen. The actual ex'
cess of exports over imports for the
year was 371 900, 900 yen, as compared
with 17O,OO0,O0 yen for 1915.
The changed position which has
taken place since the beginning OF the
war may be seen from the fact that
tor 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
$500, 900. Wool manufacture was not
carried on before the war to any great
extent, but 1t has now received con.
siderable impetus, and Japanese fac'
tories are executing orders from the
Russian Government.
The production Of iron and steel
boS = government and private works
-r.s 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 9 four1sh1ng
condition. Her merchant marine con-
sists of 2,17O steamers Of 1,7O4, 786
tons, and 9,1S7 sailing ships OF 672,4OS
tens. Ocean-going steamers exceeding
1 10000 tons number 44S, with a total
tonnage of 1,428,212 tons. Thirty-nine
ocean-going steamers Of 14o,2S6 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
200, 900 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 911s, yielding at that
price, interest of nearly 5 per cent
Great Britain's ~ par cent loan Is
quoted at 92A, so We see how the rela'
tive positions of the two countries
have changed since 1914. Before that
fateful 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 460 tons now bring to
SYDNEY $500 tons. The Japanese have
captured a great deal Of the trade once
firmly held by American, British, Ger
man and French exporters. In the s1lk
market they nave won the premier
position. and Australian shops are now
filed to overhowing with cheap Jap
anese silks.
The following japanese goods are
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 and
moulding a better public attitude to
ward business 50 that American In
6ustry may be rid Of It's harassments
and made strong for the trade fight
after the restoration Of peace.-IMdSs-
trsGr Conservation NesD York.