Evening star., 1918-07-21
Japanese Establishing Banks in South America

Francisco. But this service has been
Intermittent.
xiiian immigration movement 1t is
announced that new service to
South America will be started by
three steamers. each of 6.000 tons
gross, making six round trips a year.
The principal ports Of call are Yoko-
hama and Kobe. in Japan: Durham
and Cape Town, in South Africa; Rio
de Janeiro and Santos. in Brazil, and
Buenos Aires In Argentina
These steamers are expected to ca4
at the same ports on their return
voyage instead ofstouching at New
sumed that carrying emigrants and
general merchandise to South Amer
lea by this route. and picking up re-
turn cargoes at the same ports.
definite current of trade relations be-
tween Japan and South America will
canal route may be used for Addf.
uonal service. If the conditions warrant.
This Is a general outline of the
Japanese trade policy In relation to
South America. The shipping facilf-
ties are not q new chapter. but the
velop commerce along a specific
route Is new. It indicates a belief
that Japan can do good permanent
business with the east coast coun-
tries. while the trade with the west
coast countries Will develop normally.
anese banks in South America IL en-
tirely new.s It is q further proof-if
proof were. reQuired-of Japan's pro-
gressiveness and of her determine
nomic activities to any one quarter
Of the world.
Japanese trading and financial facil.
tiles in South America may be greatly
expanded without in any way bringing
sharp competition with the United
States. Japan cannot supply the agri-
cultural implements and the machine
sends to the Argentine republic and
to Brazil, nor has she any mineral oil
or coal to ship, even IL 1t were possi-
bile to transport 1t SO long a distance
in competition with the Atlantic
coast. Her competition in the Argen-
tine republic and in Brasil will be
chiefly with Europe. especially In the
classes Of merchandise, such as silks,
that are commonly classed as 1uxu-
ries. She may do something in tex
tiles, though 1t would be difficult for
her to make a breach in the market
which the British textile -manufac-
turers have in the various South
American countries.
The simple truth is that Japan
might build up what, to her. would
De p very SoOQ . trade with S00tn
America, yet the volume Of which,
by the total commerce.
would not be large enough to be felt
by any of the big exporting nations.
For this reason Japan is not likely to
find anything but good wishes in her
endeavor to increase the commerce
between herself and South America,
nor can there be any just objection to
her using this. commerce as e means
Of strengthening her International
status.
Japan already has established con-
sular officials in Brazil, nominally on
of the presence of the immi.
grants. But it would be quite in line
with her enterprise in establishing
banks If she follows this step by ac-
regular diplomatic officers
to several of the capitals Of the South
American countries. Heretofore she
has not made 4 point of being repreS
sented by ministers at theSG capftals.
but in pursuance Of the policy Of SEA
curing her interests Safteg the war
she may find the opportunity q good
one. to put her diplomatic intercourse
with South Ametica ON hreaAsn