The sun., 1919-09-24
JAPAN EXPANDING
| DESPITE UNREST
Rapidly Gaining Control Of
Rich Business in the
Far East.
TAKING GERMAN TRADE
Labor Clamoring for Living
Wage, but No Spirit of Rev.
olutiOn Is Shown.

| Special Correspondence to the Far East
ern Section Of THE Sum.
TOXIC, Sept. 24.-Despite the labor
unrest throughout the country japan is
rapidly gaining control of trade in the
Far East. The country is becoming the
chief commercial factor which the cap
italists of Great Britain and the United
| States, with their manufacturers, must
combat II they are to obtain their pro-
| portionate share Of trade In this grow
| ing field. Japanese successes abroad.
| especially in the diplomatic field in the
Peace Conference negotiations in Paris,
are reflected here in the rising clamor
and the spirit to gain greater trade con-
quests while they are winning. whether
in the commercial or diplomatic field.
| Throughout the Far East the prestige
| OF japan has increased in recent months,
| and the Japanese banking. commercial
| and maritime interests have increased
their holdings until their country holds
| first place In Oriental affairs. At pres
ent due to the labor unrest and the
| threat of strikes, trade is suffering, a
natural reaction from the war and its
| effects, but the basic lines of commerce
/ are solidly established in all ways, and
n healthy advance is expected imme-
dis tely following the solution OF the do
nestle problems.
If trade rivals (and by this is meant
Great Britain and the United States)
underestimate the character and the ca
pacity of the Japanese Eastern markets
| they can make no greater mistake. The
strong paternal Government, which is
not easily influenced, II at all, by agi-
tators at home, gives every encourage
ment to the development Of japanese
trade. which in a large measure is re-
sponsible for the present outstanding po-
sition of Japan. :
| Supp1anting the Germans.
| Japan numbers her political and COM
mercial achievements in Corea, Manchu-
ria, Shantung, the Yangtse Valley and
Mongolia. In the southern archipelago
and the Middle East her trade has been
expanded, Japan succeeding the German
interests in these fields Thus as re-
| suit of the war and succession to the
| position, which once was German, Japan
is In a position to overcome all opposi-
| ton unless new methods, aggressive and
sound, are used to meet the new COM
mercial conditions which have arisen
from the war.
| American capital, aware of the great
trade possibilities here, already has
opened competition and has established
trade branches throughout Japan, China
| and Siberia. AT present the British APP
pear to be the laggards in the new
field. American firms have opened SELL
ing agencies and branches for the dis
posal of first class steel, rubber and ma
chinery, and are quoting immediate or
prompt delivery with prices which give
them an edge on their rivals. Perhaps
immediate results are not apparent from
this invasion of the American interests,
but in the end their progressiveness is
bound to show in large orders and con-
tinued trade.
At the same time too much attention
should not be paid to reports of labor
disturbances in Japan. While 1t Is ad-
mitted that there is widespread dissat-
isfaction because of the soaring and
ever rising prices in the country, contin-
vance of the strikes is unlikely because
Il is impossible for the movement to as
! sumo a dangerous form, owing to the alb
sence of machinery for combination
The Japanese law prevents the forma.
ton of labor unions thus each dispute
is isolated and invariably 1t is settled
quickly and by itself by compromise.
No Revolutionary Spirit.
t The labor disputes here. it may b,
noted, are not affected with the spirit o
Bolshevism or Sovietism. They are con
' cerned merely with the cost of living. l
n is the last thought of the Government
= In view Of the warning given in othei
= countries, to confer privileges on tn,
a working classes only or to encourag,
the development of trade unionism. al
though reports reaching the outside from
Toxic may indicate to the contrary.
: The stand of the Government was in
I dicated a month ago when the Mniiste
e Of Home Affairs declined absolutely 4
e consider an amendment to the peac
e preservation law which would have per
: mitted labor to combine. This was
I crushing blow to the hopes of the labor
: ties At the same time Japan, in he
r own way, is seeking a solution of ne
! home troubles, but the solution will no
take the form of concessions to the la
boring classes with an extension of thei
Y political rights.
: Thus capitalists and business me
;. seeking a hold in the commerce of tn
e far East at the beginning may as wei
i realize that Japan will be the chief com
6 petitor. that the entire nation will bac
:. her efforts and that first in the fell