^mnW Utttomitj pilrmg THE GIFT OF ..\i.....^.,.^\^^jLa^....i7L.....a.tDJ:>^^ |.AA^gi.&.'^.. : %%\'^.\i^)i. 5474 HF 3821.U58" ""'"""'*' ""'"^ *^°m"nmi™ij&ii!S.,,'2,,.!'M.;.area...PPpulafi 3 1924 023 453 818 The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924023453818 COMMEECIAL JAPAN IN 19 0. AREA, POPULATIOK, PRODUCTION, RAILWAYS, TELEGRAPHS, . TRANSPORTATION ROUTES, FOREIGN COMMERCE, AND COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES WITH JAPAN. [Fkom the Summary op Commerce and Finance for December, 1901.] O . p. AUSTIN, Chief of Bwreom. Treasury Department, Burecm of Statistics. COMMERCIAL JAPAN IN 19 0. AREA, POPULATION, PRODUCTION, RAILWAYS, TELEGRAPHS, TRANSPORTATION ROUTES, FOREIGN COMMERCE, AND COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES WITH JAPAN. [From the Summary of Commerce and Finance for December, 1901.] O . F. ATJSTIlSr, Chief of Burea n. Tbeasurt Department, ! \ <£, -^ Bureau of Statistics. A.\^\^6^ OOIS^TENTS. COMMERCIAIi JAPAN. Page. Commercial Japan in 1900 2219 Earlier commercial relations 2219 Share of the United States in the commerce of 2220 The cotton trade and industry of Japan 2221 Iron and steel 2221 The demand for agricultural products 2221 A study of Japanese imports 2221 Area, population, and production 2222 The coal supply 2223 Transportation methods 2223 Currency 2223 Education in Japan 2224 Ports and trading centers 2225 Shipping 2225 Changes in value of the standard of the currency 2225 The development of commerce in Japan and its effect on civilization in that country 2227 Introductory '. 2227 Chapter I. The history of the commerce 2228 II. Present condition 2234 III. Further observations 2258 The adoption of the gold standard Ln Japan 2265 Official statement of the Japanese minister of finance accompanying the report upon the adoption of the gold standard. . . 2265 Effect of the change in standard upon economic conditions in Japan 2268 The report of the high commission of agriculture, commerce, and industry on the adoption of the gold standard 2268 Details of the coinage history of Japan 2269 Commercial conditions and prospects 2281 American flour gaining in popularity ■ 2281 Trade conditions — opening for American goods 2282 Growth of American imports into Japan 2285 Hints to exporters to Japan 2285 American competition with British trade in Japan 2286 Japanese commercial museum 2287 The financial future of Japan 2289 Foreign companies in Japan 2289 Foreign trade in Japan 2290 The textile industries of Japan 2292 Japanese industrial progress 2294 Cheap labor in Japan 2294 The Bank of Japan 2294 Collection of debts in Japan 2298 New laws in Japan 2298 Length of railways in Japan 2300 Japan and the Nicaragua Canal 2300 British view of trade prospects in Japan 2301 The wealth of Japan 2302 Cotton manufacturing 2304 Japanese weights and measures 2305 The new Japanese tariff, 1899 2305 Commercial statistics of Japan 2317 III COMMEECIAL JAPAN IN 1900. Recent events so much increase the interest which the people of the United States feel, and have for many years felt, in Japan that a brief review of present conditions in that country compared with those of earlier years seems justifiable. Japan has, during the past few years, assumed an important rank in the list of commercial nations, and in doing so has vastly, increased her commerce with the United States, the nation instrumental in first opening the doors of that country to commerce with the world. Within the last few years new treaties have been made with the principal countries of the world, by which their citizens are given equal privileges with the citizens of Japan in all parts of the Empire and made subject to the laws of that country, which have been recently revised, new commercial codes established, new currency adopted, new tariffs created, and new. ports opened for commercial intercourse with the world. Lastly, by reason of more recent events, Japan and the United States have become near neighbors, physically as well as otherwise, Japan's northern territory, the KurUe Islands, lying within 500 miles of our Aleutian Islands, and her southern extreme, Formosa, lying within 200 miles of the Philippines, thus making a complete chain along the Pacific front of Asia. From Yokohama, her most important port of entry, the distance to Manila as a trade center is practically the same as that to Hongkong, which has proved so important a distributing point for British trade; from Yokohama to Honolulu, a distance of 3,400 miles, Japanese steamships now regularly ply; and from Yokohama to the Pacific coast ports of the United States the distance is far less than to the ports of any other great commercial nation, while the opening of an isthmian canal would greatly lessen the water route between Japan and the Gulf and Atlantic ports of the United States, from which she draws so large and constantly increasing a proportion of her supplies. EARLIER COMMERCIAL RELATIONS. The earlier commercial relations of Japan to the world, and the part which the United States has had in developing them, are so well known that they need not be recounted in detail. Portuguese adventurers, who were the first to establish commercial relations in China, soon extended theu* trade to Japan, the first Portuguese sailors landing on her soil in 1542, and within a few years an active commerce was estabUshed. Encouraged by that success, the Dutch East India Company in 1598 dispatched five merchant vessels to Japan, one of which reached it in 1600, and in 1609 other Dutch ships arrived and were well received by the Japanese, who conceded thera a port on the island of Hirado and the privilege of establishing a "factory" or trading post and settlement. The hostilities between the Portuguese and Dutch, however, and the extreme demands of the Portuguese, who considered themselves already established in the commerce of Japan, coupled with dissatisfaction with the attitude of foreign missionaries toward the popular religion of Japan, led to the exclusion of all traders except the Dutch, who were permitted to take up their residence on a small island, Deshima, where they remained for more than two centuries in undisturbed monopoly of the entire European trade of Japan. In 1852, serious complaints of mistreatment of American sailors wrecked on the coast of Japan having been made. Commodore M. 0. Perry, with a fleet of American vessels, was sent by the United States Government to demand from Japan a treaty by which American vessels should be allowed to enter one or more of its porta to obtain supplies, and, if practicable, that Americans should- also be given general trading privileges in these ports. This undertaking was peacefully carried to a successful termination, a treaty being signed March 31, 1854, by which the ports of Shimoda and Hakodate were opened as harbors of refuge, supply, trade, and consular residence to the United States. This action was quickly followed by a successful demand for similar privileges by the British, Eussian, and Dutch governments, and by 1860 the ports of Hakodate, Kanagawa, Nagasaki, and Niigata were opened to the commerce of the leading commercial nations of the world. From this time forward the commercial relations of Japan with the world made rapid progress. In 1860 and 1861 a Japanese embassy visited the United States and Europe. The decade 1860-1870, while largely occupied by dissensions and, in some cases, hostilities between the elements favoring commercial relations with the world and those preferring former methods, saw marked developments within Japan, the beginning of the adoption of the customs and methods of western nations, and laid the foundation of the progress which has since been made. In 1871 an embassy consisting of the embassador and junior prime minister, Iwakura, the vice-embassador, ICido, Count Ito Hirobumi, the three ministers of the cabinet, and several inferior officers and secretaries, numbering 49 in all, sailed from Japan to visit all the nations having treaties with that country. Count Ito, in an address at San Francisco, the first landing place after the embassy had left Japan, said: "Our mission, under special instructions from His Majesty the Emperor, while seeking to protect the rights and interests of our respective nations, will seek to unite them more closely in the future, convinced that we shall appreciate each other more when we know each other better. * * * Held in absolute obedience by despotic sovereigns through many thousand years, our people knew no freedom or liberty of thought. With our material improvement they learned to understand their rightful privil^es, which for ages had been denied them. Civil war was but a temporary result. Our 'daimios' mafuanimously surrendered their principalities, and their voluntary action was accepted by the General Government. Within a year a feudal system, firmly established many centuries ago, has been completely aboUshed. By educating our women we hope to insure greater intelligence in future generations. Japan can not claim originality as yet, but will aim to exercise practical wisdom by adopting the advantages and avoiding the errors taught her by .the history of those enlightened nations whose experience is their only teacher." The development of Japan which followed this tour of observation and intercourse with other nations of the world was very rapid. Schools were increased, students were sent abroad to obtain a higher education and study foreign methods; internal highways were made, steamships built, and communication with foreign countries was increased; manufacturing industries were encouraged and 2219 2220 COMMEECIAL JAPAN. [December, multiplied, and business men from other countries welcomed to participate in the commercial and business development of the country As a consequence the foreign commerce of Japan, which in 1S78 amounted to less than 60,000,000 yen, in 1898 was over 484,234,480 yen while the development of railroads, manufactures, and internal industries had been equally great. The progressive spirit of the Japanese and the rapidity with which they are adapting themselves to modern methods is shown in the increasing proportion in the trade of Japan conducted by Japanese. In 1890 the relative share of the exports from Japan by Japanese and foreigners, respectively, was, Japanese, 6,123,961 yen; foreigners, 48,767,635 yen. In 1900 the relative share was, Japanese, 73,381,634 yen; foreigners, 124,681,912 yen. Of the imports in 1890, the value of 19,521,764 wag by Japanese, and 61,033,109 by foreigners; in 1900, the value of 112,737,050 was by Japanese and 173,433,883 by foreigners. Taking the total of imports and exports, the share of the Japanese in 1890 was 25,645,726 yen, or 18.9 per cent of the total; that of foreigners, 109,800,745 yen, or 81.1 per cent of the total; while in 1900 the share of the Japanese was 186,118,684, or 33.4 per cent of the total, and that of foreigners 371,497,429 yen, or 66.6 per cent of the total. Commenting upon this subject, the Austrian consul at Yokohama called attention to the fact that the number of European and American firms established in Japan is decreasing. At Yokohama in 1899, he says, the number was 303, while in 1900 it was but 248. The number of Japanese merchants in China and Korea is increasing, and it is expected that as soon as things in China return to their normal state a large contingent of Japanese merchants will proceed thither to compete with foreigners in that trade. The consul adds that in Korea Japanese merchants have already made competition impossible, and states that Japan is becoming more and more an important commercial factor in Asiatic and generally in international commerce. A table showing the share in the commerce of Japan conducted by Japanese and foreigners, respectively, will be found on another page. SHAEB OP THE UNITED STATES IN THE COMMERCE OF JAPAN. The United States, which has been constantly and actively associated with the development of Japan, has participated largely in the growth of her commerce. Thousands of young men from Japan have visited the United States as students, and thousands of mer- chants and business men from the United States have visited Japan as instructors in educational and commercial lines. As teachers and professors in schools and colleges, as editors and publishers, as merchants who engage in both importing and exporting, as manufac- turers, as constructors of railways and telegraphs, and in establishing modem electrical aids to commerce, citizens of the United Statgs have been active in Japan. As a consequence, the trade relations between the two countries have grown with greater rapidity than between Japan and any other nation. In 1881 the imports from the United States formed less than 6 per cent of the total importations into Japan, while in 1900 they formed 21.93 per cent of the total importations. Meantime, Great Britain's share in the imports of Japan fell from 52.57 per cent in 1881 to 25.03 per cent in 1900. The United States is also Japan's largest customer, by reason of the fact that the chief export products of Japan are articles required by the manufactcirers of the United States, and which can not be produced in this country. The total exports from Japan in 1900 amounted to 198;063,547 yen in value, and of this amount 52,566,395 yen went to the United States; 39,177,455 to Hongkong; 31,871,576 to China; 19,150,423 to France, and 11,262,997 to the United Kingdom. The exports of Japan to the United States, as already indicated, are chiefly of articles which are not produced in this country, and in a majority of cases are those required by our manufacturers. Of the 52,566,395 yen in value exported to the United States in 1900, the value of 26,710,050 yen consisted of raw silk, 5,972,012 manufactures of silk, 6,930,475 of tea, 3,002,519 mats for floors, 1,011,923 rice, 1,743,671 chemicals, drugs, etc., while manufactures of bamboo, lacquered ware, and other products peculiar to the Japanese have also figured largely in the list. Exports from Japan to the United States have steadily grown, especially since the development of the silk- manufacturing industry in this country. In 1893 the value of her raw-silk exports to the United States was 11,078,748 yen; in 1894, 22,457,348; in 1895, 27,826,245; in 1896, 14,080,981; in 1897, 32,262,900, and in 1900, as already indicated, 26,710,050. The United States is the largest purchaser of raw silk from Japan, whose total exportations of raw silk exceed 50,000,000 yen annually. France is the next largest customer in this line, her purchases of raw silk from Japan in 1900 amounting to 10,861,352 yen in value, against 26,710,050 yen by the United States, while Italy took raw silk to the value 6,092,140 yen; England, 374,927 yen; Eussia, 429,304 yen, and other countries 189,256 yen. The total exports from Japan to the United States in 1881 were 11,056,464 yen in value, being 36.5 per cent of the total exports of that year, and in 1900 were 52,566,395 yen, or 26.05 per cent of the total exports of that year. Japan's imports from the United States have grown with even greater rapidity than her exports to the United States. In 1881 they amounted to but 1,781,108 yen, and in 1900 had reached 62,761,196 yen in value. They have grown with much greater rapidity than the total importations of Japan, our share of her import trade having increased from 5.72 per cent in 1881 to 21.93 per cent in 1900, while the United Kingdom, our principal competitor in thatmarket, which furnished, in 1881, 52.57 per cent of the total imports of Japan, supplied, in 1900, 25.03 per cent. A detailed examination of the supplies furnished by the United States to Japan can perhaps be better made from our own standpoint measured in dollars. In the fiscal year 1892 our total exports of domestic merchandise to Japan amounted to $3,288,282, and in 1901 to 118,656,899. Of this total the largest item of export was illuminating oil, which aggregated §4,784,350; the next largest item being manufactures of iron and steel, with a total of ^4,649,287. Third in rank is raw cotton, with a total of ^4,086,317; other important items being breadstuffs, $1,107,235; provisions, $399,684; scientific instruments, $376,068; leather and manufactures, $285,551; tobacco and manufactures, $238,890; clocks and watches, $237,381; paper and manufactures thereof , $206,586; lubricating oil, $197,342, and paraffin, $167,118; while many other articles of less importance have found a place in the markets of Japan. Taking up the great class of iron and steel and examining its details, it is found that the exports of locomotive engines in 1901 amounted to $372,162 in value, builders' hardware, $121,697; sewing machines, $30,979; firearms, $42,512; car wheels, $20,773; other machinery, $1,481,796; and miscellaneous manufactures of iron and steel, $2,579,368. A detailed study of the exports from the United States during the decade is presented on another page, the purpose being to determine the articles most in demand in that comitry and those in which the export trade has most rapidly grown. It will be found that the exports of raw cotton have grown from but $85,211 in 1890 to $4,086,317 in 1901. Illuminating oil, the exports of which amounted in 1890 to $3,559,395 in value, showed in 1901 a total of $4,784,350, despite the active competition of Russian and Sumatran petroleum, and the further fact that Japan is now herself supplying a part of her consumption of illuminating oil. Exports of flour increased from $127,120 in 1890 to $1,035,893 in 1901. This increase is evidently due to a growing disposition among the Japanese to consume more of this class of food rather than to rely upon rice, as in former years, since the number of foreigners in Japan other than Chinese and Koreans amounts to less than 4,000, and has not materially increased during the period in which our exports of flour to that country have increased sevenfold. In paper and manufactures thereof our export trade with Japap has grown very rapidly, the total exports in this class being, in 1890, $1,606; in 1896, $10,126, and in 1901, $206,586. Instruments for scientific purposes increased 19Q1-] COMMEKCIAL JAPA]^. 2221 from $9,441 in 1890 to $34,600 in 1894, and $376,068 in 1901. In 1890 the value of the canned beef exported from this country to Japan waa but $11,212; in 1901 the total was $140,648; while exports of pickled beef advanced from $688 in 1890 to $72,325 in 1901. Leather and manufactures of leather find a steady demand in Japan, owing to the fact that the number of cattle and other animals whose skins are used for tanning is comparatively small, the total number of cattle in Japan, according to the last census, being but 1,433,583, or 30.24 for each 1,000 inhabitants. THE COTTON TRADE AND INDUSTRY OP JAPAN. ' Exportations of cotton cloths to Japan have fallen by reason of the rapid increase in the manufacture of cotton cloth in that country, the total for 1901 being but $37,891, against $141,264 in 1897. Meantime, however, exportations of raw cotton to Japan have rapidly increased, bemg, as already indicated, $4,086,317 in 1901, against $85,211 in 1890. This is largely due to the increase in the manufacture of cotton goods in Japan, though American cotton has grown in popularity with the manufacturers there within the past few years. Experience has shown them that cotton from the United States is more satisfactory for use in manufacturing than that which; Japan had been accustomed to obtain from India and China, the staple in American cotton being longer, thus giving better results. As a consequence, imports of American cotton now form a much larger percentage of the total importation into Japan than in earlier years, although the raw cottons of China and India have largely the advantage, both in the matter of proximity and cheapness of labor, utilized in their production. Japan also produces a considerable amount of cotton of her own, though it can scarcely be expected that this will increase in a manner to at all keep pace with the growth of her cotton-manufacturing industry. The entire area of Japan is but 161,245 square miles, or less than the State of •California, while but about 12 per cent of its land is under cultivation, and but a com- paratively small proportion cultivable, since mountain ranges and rocky islets and shores occupy a large proportion of its area. It must. be remembered that Japan, with her small cultivable area, has a population of 43,760,815, and must therefore devote most of her arable land to the production of food stuffs, while her natural products of silk and tea are so mnch in demand the world over that they are not likely to be displaced for cotton, which can be so readily brought from other and comparatively adjacent countries. Cotton manufactur-; ing in Japan has, however, grown very rapidly, the total number of spindles in 1899 being 2,074,475, against 5,456 in 1863. It is thus apparent that Japan will continue to purchase from other parts of the world a large proportion of the raw cotton which her rapidly growing cotton mills will consume, and as the cotton from the United States has already made rapid headway against that from the nearer countries of China and Ihdia, it is reasonable to assume that the market for American cotton will continue to grow, especially if an isthmian canal gives opportunity for direct water shipments from the cotton-growing section of the United States to the ports of Japan without breaking bulk. IKON AND STEEL. In iron and steel there seems no reason to doubt that the demand upon the United States will continue. The importations of manufactures of iron and steel intoJapan have grown very rapidly. It is apparent that the demand for manufactures of this class will continue to increase with perhaps greater rapidity. The various manufacturing and mechanical industries are being encouraged by the Government and by Japanese capitalists, as are also the construction of railroads, the building of ships, and other enterprises of this kind, which will require great quantities of iron and steel and their manufactures. While considerable quantities of iron ore are known to exist in various parts of Japan, it is not believed that they will prove sufficient to seriously interfere with or take the place of the supplies now being furnished from other countries, especially since there are few places where iron and coal are found in conjunction. In addition to this, it may be said that while the coal supply is now such as to have become quite an article of export, rivaling that of Australia and other localities in that part of the world, it is believed that it will not be sufficient to meet the great demand upon it for all classes of manufactures for any considerable term. Besides, the large capital required for the construction of establishments for the manufacture of iron and steel, coupled with the extreme cheapness of production in the United States, through proximity of coal and iron mines, also makes it improbable that the market in Japan for manufactures of this class will be seriously impaired by local production and manufacture. One factor which enters into this question of local manufactures in Japan, as a competitor with those of other countries which have formerly held that market, is that of labor. Upon this subject all recent writers who discuss this feature of conditions in Japan agree that rates of wages in that country have very much increased in the last few years and are likely to continue to increase, and that the fears formerly expressed that a combination of modern manufacturing developments with the cheap labor of the Orient would result in driving the manufacturers of other parts of the world out of the markets do not seem to have been justified by the experiment thus far, A table showing rates of wages in the principal industries for a term of years will be found on another page. THE DEMAND FOB AGEICnLTTJEAL PEODUCTS. In prodiicts of agriculture other than cotton and tobacco the demand of Japan is up to this time comparatively small. Importations of rice in 1898, were heavy, but this was due to a short crop. As a rule Japan produces rice sufficient for her large population, and as this cereal is the most important food article with the masses the importations of -food stuffs are, up to this time, comparatively light. That there is a growing demand for meats, however, is shown by the figures already quoted, which indicate that the exports of meats from the United States to Japan have increased at a reasonably rapid rate in the past few years, and with a growing demand for food stuffs of this class and the extremely small number of animals which can be utilized for this purpose, the prospect for a market for provisions, including meats, butter, cheese, etc. , seems fairly satisfactory. Of petroleum, as already indicated, the importations continue heavy, though in this the oil fields of Eussia and Sumatra are proving active competitors of those of the United States, resulting both in a reduction of price and something of a reduction in quantity exported. A STUDY OP JAPANESE IMPORTS. Those desiring to study the import trade of Japan in its broadest sense and to determine the class of articles for which a market is to be found in that country will find on another page a table showing the importations into that country in the order of their greatest value in 1898, with a comparative statement showing the importations, article by article, beginning with 1892, the year the marked ' growth of imports into Japan began. Cotton importations, as already indicated, have increased very rapidly, being 11,026,637 yen in 1892 and 51,500,002 yen in 1900. Sugar forms the next article of importation in relative value, being 26,606,528 yen in 1900, against No. 6 12 2222 OOMMEBOIAL JAPAU. [Decembek, 9,519,612 yen in 1892. Sugar importations up to this time have heen largely in the form of the refined material ready for use. The tariff recently adopted, however, makes the rate of duty on refined sugar about three times that on raw sugar, the intention presumably being to encourage the sugar-refining industry in Japan. Cotton yarns show no important gains in the seven years in question, but, on the contrary, a decrease since 1896, this being due to the rapid increase in the cotton-spinning industry of Japan, which has not only proved able to supply the local demand of the cotton mills, but is making a large market for itself in China, and thus increasing the cotton cloth manufactures of that country. Kerosene oil imports from 1892 to 1900 increased from 3,328,398 yen to 14,162,651 yen, thus more than doubling in value, while the exports to Japan from the United States in those years barely kept pace with the general growth. The growing demand for food products other than rice is illustrated by the fact that importations of beans, pease, and pulse have increased from 2,712,044 yen in 1892 to 8,822,111 yen in 1898, and 4,817,767 yen in 1900. Another article which shows a rapid growth in importations into Japan, and one which the manufacturers of the United States may find worthy of attention, is that of oil cake for fertihzing. The importation of this article in 1892 amounted to 824,651 yen, 3,220,600 yen in 1896, 4,614,967 yen in 1898, and 5,696,453 yen in 1900. The extremely limited cultivable area of Japan, coupled with the large demand from its 45,000,000 population whose wants are rapidly growing with increased earnings and greater activity, calls for the most careful attention to the producing possibilities of the soil, and with the small number of domestic animals from which to obtain supplies of fertilizers there is a growing demand for fertilizers of other classes. This doubtless accounts for the rapid increase in the imports of oil cake for fertilizing, a product of which our own exportations have rapidly grown, while the possibility of introduction of other fertilizers, of which our supply is now so large, may be also worthy of consideration. The United States now supplies a large share of the phosphates of the world used for fertilizing purposes, and this, coupled with the almost unlimited capacity of production of oil cake, makes ttiis rapidly growing Japanese market for fertilizers one worthy of attention. Another line of imports into Japan which has rapidly grown in the last few years is that of woolen goods, especially those classed as "mousselinede laine." This single line of manufactures has. increased from 2,448,899 yen in 1892 to 4,373,988 yen in 1898, and 7,364,991 yen in 1900. Eecent writers on Japan indicate a growing disposition on the part of the people of that country to utilize woolen goods for garments, and as wool is not produced in any considerable quantities in that country the demand for woolen cloths is constantly increasing. All efforts to introduce sheep for wool-producing purposes have been unsuccessful, the physical conditions of the soil and climate as well as its grasses being such as to make it improbable that Japan will become a sheep-producing country, so that the growing disposition to utilize woolen cloths will increase the market for raw wool or woolen goods, as is shown by the single item alluded to above. Other classes of woolen cloths have also increased from 640,417 yen in 1892 to 2,969,763 yen in 1900, while wool yarn increased from 427,992 yen in 1892 to 1,798,535 yen in 1900, and cloths made in part of wool from 196,618 yen in 1892 to 2,433,758 yen in 1900. One curious and interesting feature of the importations of Japan ia that which relates to clocks and watches. The opinion was expressed a few years ago that the cleverness of Japanese workmen in reproducing articles of delicate workmanship brought to their attention would soon reduce to a minimum the importation of clocks and watches and other articles of this character. Experience, however, has not justified this belief. The importation of clocks and watches into Japan, according to the official figures of the Japanese Government, has increased from 687,734 yen in 1892 to 3,419,727 yen in 1898, and 1,840,503 yen in 1900. Other articles in which the increase in importation has been rapid and suggestive to manufacturers and exporters of the United States are rails for railways, which increased from 67,437 yen in 1892 to 4,753,371 yen in 1900; other materials for railways, from 51,865 in 1892 to 2,514,232 in 1898; printing paper, from 217,309 in 1892 to 2,036,844 in 1900; satins of cotton, from 523,459 in 1892 to 3,662,638 in 1900; plate and sheet iron, from 240,683 in 1892 to 4,080,543 in 1900; iron pipe, from 55,814 in 189? to 2,981,693 in 1900; cotton prints, from 436,544 in 1892 to 2,002,782 in 1900; nails, from 906,422 in 1892 to 2,181,064 in 1900; white shirtings, from 330,568 in 1892 to 1,325,142 yen in 1900, while niunerous other articles whose values are stated in smaller sums show equal and even greater relative growth in the importations, the details of which will be shown by the table printed on another page. AEEA, POPULATION, AND PEODUCTION. The geography of Japan is so wejl known that details need not be discussed. From the northernmost of its group of Kurile Islands, adjacent to Kamchatka, to the southernmost extremity of Formosa is over 4,000 miles, or more than the distance from the northern boundary of Alaska to the southern extremity of California. Its principal islands of course are Hondo, or Niphon, with a total area of 87,485 square miles, about equal to the State of Kansas, and a population, as shown by the census of December 31, 1898, of 33,327,935, or an average of 381 inhabitants per square mile; Hokkaido, or Yesso, with an area of 36,299 square miles, about equal to that of Indiana, and a population of 610,155, or an average of 16.8 per square mile; Shikoku, lying next south of Hondo, with an area of 7,031 square miles, or a little less than that of Massachusetts, and a population of 3,013,817, or 428 per square mile; and Kiushiu, still farther south, with an area of 16,840 square miles, about the same as the combined area of Vermont and Massachusetts, and a population of 6,808,908, or 404 per square mile, making for these four principal islands a total area of 147,655 square miles, or about the same as that of the State of California, and a population of 43,760,815, or an average of 296.4 per square mile. In. addition to this the population of the island of Formosa, ceded to Japan by China after the war between China and Japan, was given on December 31, 1898, as 2,690,096. The Kurile Islands, stretching northward from' Hokkaido to Kamtchatka, which were obtained from Russia in exchange for a part of Saghalin, number about 25, with an area of 3,070 square miles, and a small population, subsisting upon hunting and fishing, the products of which they barter to American, Portuguese, and Dutch traders. The Riu Kiu Islands, which lie between Japan and Formosa, also belong to Japan, and likewise have a small population, subsisting chiefly by fishing and barter. Hokkaido or Yesso, the most northerly of the islands, has but a comparatively small population, the climate being severe and large portions of the surface unsuited to agriculture. Indeed, the fact that the large proportion of the Empire of Japan is volcanic and that lines of mountains, some of them active volcanoes, run through the center of the islands with merely a frontage of low lands on each side and valleys between these mountains, renders the cultiva'Sle area relatively small, the land now under cultivation being estimated at but about 12 per cent of the total area. This is, however, very carefully tilled, mostly by hand, with spades, hoes, and implements of this character, plows and other agricultural implements being but comparatively little used. Eice is the largest and most important crop agriculturally, supplying, as it does, the principal food of a large part of the population, though wheat, corn, barley, and millet are grown in certain localities in quantities bearing but a small relative proportion to that of rice. As to natural products for exportation, silk is by far the most impor- tant, the exports of raw silk in 1900 amounting to 48,818,347 yen. Tea is the next in importance among the natural products, the exports of 1900 being 9,035,819 yen in value; rice, 3,576,569 yen; cuttle-fish, 1,158,794 yen; camphor, 3,070,701 yen. Of the minerals, 1801] OOMMEECIAL JAPAN. 2223 coal is the most hnpoitant in expcai; valne, the exportation of 1900 bedng 13,703,655 yen; those of copper, refined, 12,680,185 yen, while the chief of the mamifactured articles exported were cotton yarn, 20,589,263 yen; silk goods, 23,512,116 yen; cotton tissues, 6,099,261 y&n; mats, 3,310,042 yen; porcelain and earthenware, 2,660,478 yen. Of the cereals, rice occupied in 1899 6,958,885 acres, against 1,105,000 in wheat, 1,605,000 in barley, and 1,677,000 in rye, the number of bushels of rice being, according to the Statesman's Year- Book for 1901, 196,367,997, as compared with 20,126,043 bushels of wheat, 41,690,025 of barley, and 32,767,134 bushels of rye. The production of tea for 1899 ia given at 7,543,997 kwan, or 62,454 pounds avoirdupois, the kwan being equal to 8.28 pounds; sugar, 14,615,473 kwan (in 1898); raw silk, 3,277,404 kwan; silk cocoons, 2,512,562 koku, the koku being equal to 4.96 bushels. THE COAL SUPPLY. Coal, the most important of the minerals of Japan, is found in the northernmost island, Hokkaido, and in the northern part of the island of Hondo, and in large quantities in the most southerly island of the group, Kiushiu. Coal has been mined systematically during the last thirty years, formerly by the OoTemment, but more recently the management has been transferred to a prominent financial firm of private citizens, who promptly established trading stations, not only iu Japan but in China, Straits Settlements, Bnrmah, and the Philippine Islands, their product rapidly taking the place of Australian coal, upon which steamships in that part of the world were formerly compelled largely to rely. Locomotive engines from the United States and electric power have been introduced into the mines to take the place of horses, and branch railways convey the coal to ports 60 miles distant, where steamships can have constant access to the docks and depots of supply. The coal veins at the most important of these mines range from 8 to 20 feet in thickness, and the area is believed to be such as to justify the expectation that Japan will, for many years at least, prove an important coai producer and distributor in the East, while the fact that enormous coal deposits, easily worked, are in China, simply awaiting transportation methods to render them available, shows that the ooal supply of the Orient can from this time forward be reUed upon as sufficient for ordinary requirements. And when it is remembered that the siipply of natural water power in the mountains of Japan must necessarily be very great and that this may now be conTeyed in the form of electricity to accessible points for use in manufacturmg, the manufacturing possibilities of Japan, with its large industries and skillful population, will be apparent. TEANSPORTATIOIf METHODS. Methods of communication and transportation, which play such an important part in the productive possibilities of any country, have so rapidly improved in Japan during the past few years as to add grealiy to ita.ittdustrial prospects, whether agricultural, mining, or manufacturing. Railway lines now stretch along the coast on either side of the principal islands, the total length of raOroads being over 3,000 miles, with a large additional mileage proposed and in many cases under construction; telegraph lines form a network oven the entire group of islands, while large sums of money have recently been expended by the Government in the construction of highways for transportation'ooHnecting the railways, the chief lack, however, being in horses, of which, as already indicated, the number is but a little over 1,000,000 for the 45,000,000 population of the Empire. Of the 11,684 foreigners residing im Japan in 1900, 11,561 were classed as "merchants and other professions," while of the 1,296 from the United States 1,282 were ciaissed as " merchants and other professions." Of the 2,113 British subjects 1,994 were thus classed, and of the 532 Germans 518 were so classified. The number of foreigners residing in Japan is only about one-ninth as great as the number of Japanese residing in foreign countries. The Japanese census of December 31, 1899 — and it is interesting to observe that the Japanese take a census each year— showed 99,039 Japanese residing in other countries. Of this number 71,315 were in the United States, so that 62 per cent of the Japanese now residing abroad are subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Of the remaining 27,724 Japanese residing abroad 15,068 were in Korea, 5,'681 in England and English colonies, 4,021 in Russia and Russian colonies, and 2,442 in China. Of the 71,315 residing in the United States 282 were students and 1,983 merchants. It is interesting to observe that the disposition of the J apanese is apparently to look almost exclusively to the United States in educational matters, as the total number of Japanese students residing abroad, as shown by the census figures, was 605, and of this number 282 were in the United States, 147 in Germany, 37 in Russia and Hussian colonies, 35 in England and English colonies, 49 in China, 15 in Korea, and 17 in France. The new relation in which the foreigners in Japan stand to its citizens, laws, and Government is especially important because of the unusual relation they hold to its foreign commerce. Both the import and export business of Japan are conducted largely by foreigners residing in that country. About 63 per cent of the exportations from Japan and more tiian 61 per cent of its importations are conducted by foreigners. Of the total exports from Japan in 1900 over 124,000,000 yen were sent abroad by foreign merchants doing business in that country and 73,000,000 by Japanese merchants, while of the total imports of the year 173,000,000 yen m value were imported by foreigners and 112,000,000 yen in value by Japanese merchants. That the Japanese have proved apt pupils in the study of foreign commerce as an art is shown by an examination of the record of Japan's foreign trade during the past few years. In 1883 only 4.85 per cent of the imports into Japan and 14.4 per cent of the exports were made by J^anese mei-chants. By 1888 the percentage of importations made by Japanese merchants had increased to 17.8 per cent; by 1894 they had reached 29.2 per cent, and in 1900 39.4 per cent of the total imports were made by Japanese merchants. Meantime their share in the exportation business has also increased, reaching 18.4 per cent in 1894, 25.8 per cent in 1896, and 37.05 per cent in 1900. The .total value of imports by Japanese merchants in 1883 was 1 383,101 yen, and in 1900, 112,737,050 yen, while the total value of the exports by Japanese merchants, which in 1883 was 5,149,078 yen, was in 1900 73,381,634 yen. The fact that three-fifths of the exports of Japan still find a mai-ket through foreigners residing in that country, and that a like proportion of the imports is brought in and distributed by foreign merchants doing business in Japan, adds greatly to the importance of the new relations which now exist between the Japanese Government and foreigners residing and doing business in that conntry. CUKKENCY. Naturally the banking and currency of a country which is so rapidly increasing its commercial relations with the United States is a matter of especial interest. The gold standard, as is well known, was established in Japan in 1897, and its general banking facilities, as well as its currency, are considered stable and 8atiBfad»ry. The total coinage isued from the mint from its foundation in 1870 up to March 31, 1900, exclusive of reeoinage, was, a«oording to the Stateman's Year-Book of 1899, 431,246,052 yen. The paper money, according 'to the same authority, consists of Nippon Giako, or Bank of Japan notes, exchangeable for gold on presentation, and the amount in circulation on April 1, 1900, 217,809,333 yen. In 1899 the Nippon Ginko, or Baaik of Japan, had a paid-up capital of 2224 GOMMBECtAL JAPAliT. [Becembbb, 30,000,000 yen; notes in circulation, 217,809-333 yen; loans, 786,117,640 yen; deposits, 1,725,404,724 yen. In 1898 there were 1,414 private banks, with a paid-up capital of 190,292,740 yen; loans, 1,576,200,337 yen; deposits, 3,393,044,548 yen. In 1898-99, 1,565,498 persons deposited 37,921,508 yen and withdrew 15,430,590 yen from the post-offices, which act as savings banks. In the same year there were 413 savings banks, with a paid-up capital of 14,906,242 yen, and deposits aggregating 93,659,013 yen. The following table shows the amount of coinage issued in the fiscal years ending March 31, 1896 to 1900: " COINAGE. 1885-90 1806-97 1897-98 1898-99 1899-1900 Yen. 1,423,750 20,007,377 51,500 Yen. 952,433 12,927,034 660,000 Yen. 76,824,311 10,298,085 ^ 600,000 Yen. 21,385,797 17, 000, COO' 750,000 100,000 Yen. . 16,491,270 5,500,000 300,000 65,000 Silver coins Bronze coins Total 21, 482, 627 14,529,467 87,722,396 39,236,797 22,356,270 The following table shows the condition of banks in Japan in 1898: BANKS. Nippon Ginko Nippon Industrial Bank Yokohama Specie Bank National banks Agricultural- Industrial Private Savings Total Head offices. 1 1 1 4 41 1,414 413 1,875 Branch offices. 904 453 Paid-up cap- ital. Yen. 30,000,000 2,500,000 10,600,000 390,000 8,798,020 190,292,740 14,966,242 257, 447, 002 Yen. 1,725,404,724 842,014,934 6,682,266 962, 686 3,893,044,648 93,659,013 6, 061, 768, 165 Loans. Y 786, 6, 209, 2, 4, 1,576, 72, 117,640 776, 609 777, 971 981, 879 366, 337 200, 337 854, 066 2,659,064,829 In January, 1899, there were 4,481 miles of State roads and 15,362 miles of prefectural roads. Railways are of two classes: (1) State railways; (2) railways owned by private companies, 42 in number, two of them supported in a certain way by the Government. The following table gives the railway statistics for 1898-99: State rallvrays, 1898-99. Railways owned by private companies, 1898-99. Length in miles Gross income -. yen.. Expenditure do Goods carried tonsi. Passengers number.. 820 11,143,742 6, 343, 030 1,887,227 31,720,787 2,652 21,841,468 12,059,674 8,141,315 66,816,330 The following are postal and telegraphic statistics for four fiscal years: 1890-97 1897-98 1898-99 1899-1900 Letters and post cards Newspapers and periodicals Books Samples, etc Registered packets Parcels Total Post-offices Telegrams delivered Telegraphic line miles. Telegraphic wire do.. Submanne cable do... Submarine wire do.. Telegraph officers , Post and telegraph officers Post and telegraph income yen Post and telegraph expenditure do.. 403,818,612 86,801,875 6, 617, 114 898, 190 5,223,891 2,737,138 506,096,820 4,270 10,978,163 11, 517 37, 654 387 481 1,114 17,060 9,221,833 6,626,725 454,062,108 88,760,347 7, 363, 932 1,063,116 6,498,199 4,213,849 605,002,412 91,519,164 7, 663, 751 1,164,327 7,409,388 5,076,648 561,931,561 617,836,680 4,285 14,136,012 12,539 44,801 1,666 1,691 1,266 18,464 10,797,098 7,964,087 4,337 16,503,700 12,924 60,177 1,763 1,988 1,257 19, 910 11,844,707 501,960,680 110,064,813 8,079,462 1,341,161 8,424,708 6,016,011 635, 886, 810 4,464 14,763,777 13,879 59, 896 1,794 2,033 l,4il 21,819 In March, 1899, there were 1,562 miles of telephone (31,273 miles of wire), with 13 exchange offices, 40 calling offices, and 8,083 subscribers. EDUCATION IN JAPAN. Educational conditions in Japan are the subject of very favorable comment by those who have had opportunity for thorough investigation, while the official reports of the Japanese Government show that the number of schools, teachers, and pupils has rapidly increased during the past few years. The number of primary schools on January 1, 1899, as shown by the official reports of the Japanese Government, was 26,824, with a total attendance of 4,062,418,.of which number 2,582,277 were boys and 1,480,141 girls. Special technical schools also number 268; ordinary normal schools, 47; and these, with others of various designations, brought the total number of public 1901-] COMMERCIAL JAPAN. 2225 schools and educational institutions up to 28,479, against 25,611 in 1893; while the total attendance was 4,183,507, against 3,459,446 in 1893, 3,055,380 in 1888, and 2,833,350 in 1887. In addition to these the universities and institutions of higher grade founded by the State include the Imperial University of Tokyo, with 2,696 students, while there are also superior schools with an attendance of over 5,000, schools of music, schools of art, schools for the blind and dumb, and schools for instruction in military and naval matters. Mr. Stafford Eansome, 0. E., whose views regarding the effect of the new treaties are quoted elsewhere, discussing the educational conditions in Japan, estimates that 61 per cent of the Japanese of school-going age were, according to the latest available information, receiving at all events an elementary education based on modern principles, and adds that his investigations showed that so far as the masses are concerned education is making its most effectual progress in the quiet and outlying districts which are undisturbed by foreigners and modern methods. "Roughly speaking," he says, "we may estimate that there are in Japan at the present day 30,000 schools of all sorts, 100,000 teachers, 500,000 graduates, 5,000,000 pupils of both sexes, and that the annual outlay in one way and another to maintain them has reached about £1,500,000," or $7,500,000. PORTS AND TRADING CENTERS. Naturally the principal trading centers of Japan are the treaty ports where commerce has flowed in and out and where foreign vessels have been permitted to land and foreign merchants to do business. Especially this is true in view of the fact that the large proportion of the foreign commerce of Japan is conducted by citizens of other countries residing in that Empire, and necessarily residing only at the treaty ports. A table published on another page shows the amount of impoi-ts into each of the principal ports of Japan in 1900. It will be seen that the largest imports of 1900 were at Kobe and Yokohama, those at Kobe being 137,484,281 yen and those at Yokohama 109,775,317 yen; Nagasaki being next with 15,427,338 yen, followed by Osaka with 9,741,437 yen. Of the 62,761,196 yen imports from the United States in 1900, the value of 37,553,855 yen entered at the port of Kobe, 19,022,004 yen at Yokohama, 3,610,307 yen at Nagasaki, 368,342 yen at Hakodate, and 2,214 yen at Osaka. Yokohama still continues to be the favorite port with imports from Great Britain, as 35,108,611 yen of the imports from Great Britain in 1900 entered at the port of Yokohama, 28,404,815 yen at Kobe, 6,582,257 yen at Nagasaki, and 578,946 yen at Osaka. Yokohama still continues to hold the largest percentage of the German import trade also, the imports at that port from Germany in 1900 being 15,409,225 yen; at Kobe, 12,240,284 yen; at Nagasaki, 211,323 yen, and at Osaka, 156,084 yen. SHIPPING. Of the 6,630 vessels entering Japanese ports in 1900, 2,685 were foreign steamships, 2,645 Japanese steamships, 1,172 Japanese sailing ships and junks, and 128 foreign sailing ships. Of the 9,825,622 tonnage of the vessels so entering, 6,243,095 tons were foreign steamships, •©f the total foreign ships entering the ports in 1900, 1,590 ships, of 3,819,804 tons, were British; 411, oi 1,068,914 tons, German; 163, of 340,032 tons, American, and 137, of 297,801 tons, French. Of the total shipping in 1900, 1,075 vessels, of 1,974,428 tons, entered Nagasaki; 766 vessels, of 1,850,043 tons, entered Yokohama, and 1,361 vessels, of 2,816,949 tons, entered Kobe. In 1898 the merchant navy of Japan consisted of 1,130 steamers of European type, having a total tonnage of 447,430 tons; 1,914 sailing vessels of European type, of 170,894 tons, and 19,097 Japanese craft above — "koku" each, of 3,320,284 koku (koku equals 180.4 Uters). CHANGES IN VALUE OP THE STANDARD OF THE CnBRENCY. In closing this discussion it is proper to call attention to the fact that the value of the yen, in which all statements of the value of Imports and exports of Japan are made, has fluctuated with the value of silver during the years imder discussion, prior to the date at which the gold standard was adopted, and that this fact should be borne in mind in considering the statements of imports and exports. The following gives the value of the yen in United States money on January 1 of each year from 1885 to 1899, as shown by the Annual Report of the Director of the Mint: Value of yen on January 1, 1885, in United States money, 85.8 cents; 1890, 75.2 cents; 1891, 83.1 cents; 1892, 74.5 cents; 1893, 66.1 cents; 1894, 55.6 cents; 1895, 49.1 cents; 1896, 52.9 cents; 1897, 51.1 cents; since 1898, 49.8 cents. Monme=27.0067 grains troy. Picul=133i pounds avoirdupois, catty=lj pounds, tael=lj ounces. 2224 GOMMEECIAL JAPAN. [Decembbb, 30,000,000 yen; notes in circulation, 217,809-333 yen; loans, 786,117,640 yen; deposits, 1,725,404,724 yen. In 1898 there were 1,414 private banks, with a paid-up capital of 190,292,740 yen; loans, 1,576,200,337 yen; deposits, 3,393,044,548' yen. In 1898-99, 1,565,498 persons deposited 37,921,508 yen and withdrew 15,430,590 yen from the post-ofBces, which act as savings banks. In the same year there were 413 savings banks, with a paid-up capital of 14,966,242 yen, and deposits aggregating 93,659,013 yen. The following table shows the amount of coinage issued in the fiscal years ending March 31, 1896 to 1900: " COINAGE. 1895-96 1800-97 1897-98 1898-99 1899-1900 Gold eoins Yen. 1,428,750 20,007,377 51,600 Yen. 952,433 12,927,034 650,000 Yen. 76,824,311 10,298,085 . 000,000 Yen. 21,335,797 17,000,000' 750,000 100,000 Ym. 16,491,270 5,600,000 300,000 65,000 Bronze coins Total 21,482,627 14,529,467 87,722,396 39,235,797 22,366,270 The following table shows the condition of banks in Japan in 1898: BANKS. Nippon Ginko , Nippon Industrial Bank Yokohama Specie Bank National banks Agricultural-Industrial Private Savings , Total Head offices. 1 1 1 4 41 1,414 413 1,875 Branch 904 463 Paid-up cap- ital. Yen. 30,000,000 2,500,000 10,500,000 390,000 8,798,020 190,292,740 14,966,242 267,447,002 Deposits. Yen. 1,725,404,724 842,014,934 6, 682, 266 962, 686 3,393,044,648 93,659,013 6,061,768,165 Loans. 1' 786, 6, 209, 2, 4, 1,576, 72, en. 117, 640 776,609 777, 971 981,879 356, 337 200, 337 854, 056 2, 659, 064, 829 In January, 1899, there were 4,481 miles of State roads and 15,362 miles of prefectural roads. Railways are of two classes: (1) State railways; (2) railways owned by private companies, 42 in number, two of them supported in a certain way by the Government. The following table gives the railway statistics for 1898-99: Length in miles Gross income yen.. Expenditure do Goods carried tonsi. Passengers number.. State railways, 1898-99. 820 11,143,742 6,343,030 1,887,227 31,720,787 Railways owned by private companies, 1898-99. 2,652 21,841,458 12,069,674 8,141,315 66,816,330 The following are postal and telegraphic statistics for four fiscal years: Letters and post cards , Newspapers and periodicals , Books Samples, etc Begistered packets Parcels Total Pos^offices Telegrams delivered Telegraphic line mUes Telegraphic wire do.. Submarine cable do. . Submarine wire do.. Telegraph officers Post and telegraph officers Post and telegraph income yen Post and telegraph expenditure do. . 1896-97 403,818,612 86,801,876 6,617,114 898, 190 6,223,891 2,737,138 506,096,820 4,270 10,978,153 11,517 37,664 387 481 1,114 17,050 9,221,833 6,625,725 1897-98 454,052,108 88, 750, 347 7, 363, 932 1,053,116 6,498,199 4,213,849 561, 931, 651 4,285 14,136,012 12, 539 44, 801 1,666 1,691 1,265 18,464 10, 797, 093 7,954,087 1898-99 505,002,412 91,519,154 7,663,751 1,164,327 7,409,388 5,076,648 617,836,680 4,337 15, 503, 700 12,924 50,177 1,763 1,988 1,267 19,910 11,844,707 1899-1900 501,960,680 110, 064, 813 8,079,462 1,341,161 8,424,703 6,016,011 636,886,810 4,464 14,763,777 18,879 59, 396 1,794 2,033 l,4il 21,819 In March, 1899, there were 1,562 miles of telephone (31,273 miles of wire), with 13 exchange offices, 40 calling ofiices, and 8,083 subscribers. EDDCATION IN JAPAN. Educational conditions in Japan are the subject of very favorable comment by those who have had opportunity for thorough investigation, while the official reports of the Japanese Government show that the number of schools, teachers, and pupils has rapidly increased during the past few years. The number of primary schools on January 1, 1899, as shown by the official reports of the Japanese Government, was 26,824, with a total attendance of 4,062,418,.of which number 2,582,277 were boys and 1,480,141 girls. Special technical schools also number 268; ordinary normal schools, 47; and these, with others of various designations, brought the total number of public 1901.] COMMERCIAL JAPAF. 2225 Bchools and educational institutions up to 28,479, against 25,611 in 1893; while the total attendance was 4,183,507, against 3,459,446 in 1893, 3,055,380 in 1888, and 2,833,350 in 1887. In addition to these the universities and institutions of higher grade founded by the State include the Imperial University of Tokyo, with 2,696 students, while there are also superior schools with an attendance of over 5,000, Bchools of music, schools of art, schools for the blind and dumb, and schools for instruction in military and naval matters. Mr. Stafford Eansome, 0. E., whose views regarding the effect of the new treaties are quoted elsewhere, discussing the educational conditions in Japan, estimates that 61 per cent of the Japanese of school-going age were, according to the latest available information, receiving at all events an elementary education based on modern principles, and adds that his investigations showed that so far aa the masses are concerned education is making its moat effectual progress in the quiet and outlying districts which are undisturbed by foreigners and modem methods. ' ' Roughly speaking, "he says, "we may estimate that there are in Japan at the present day 30, 000 schools of all sorts, 100, 000 teachers, 500,000 graduates, 5,000,000 pupils of both sexes, and that the annual outlay in one way and another to maintain them haa reached about £1,500,000," or 17,500,000. PORTS AND TRADING CENTERS. Naturally the principal trading centers of Japan are the treaty ports where commerce has flowed in and out and where foreign vessels have been permitted to land and foreign merchants to do business. Especially this is true in view of the fact that the large proportion of the foreign commerce of Japan is conducted by citizens of other countries residing in that Empire, and necessarily residing only at the treaty ports. A table published on another page shows the amount of imports into each of the principal ports of Japan in 1900. It will be seen that the largest imports of 1900 were at Kobe and Yokohama, those at Kobe being 137,484,281 yen and those at Yokohama 109,775,317 yen; Nagasaki being next with 15,427,338 yen, followed by Osaka with 9,741,437 yen. Of the 62,761,196 yen imports from the United States in 1900, the value of 37,553,855 yen entered at the port of Kobe, 19,022,004 yen at Yokohama, 3,610,307 yen at Nagasaki, 368,342 yen at Hakodate, and 2,214 yen at Osaka. Yokohama still continues to be the favorite port with imports from Great Britain, as 35,108,611 yen of the imports from Great Britain in 1900 entered at the port of Yokohama, 28,404,815 yen at Kobe, 6,582,257 yen at Nagasaki, and 578,946 yen at Osaka. Yokohama still continues to hold the largest percentage of the German import trade also, the imports at that port from Germany in 1900 being 15,409,225 yen; at Kobe, 12,240,284 yen; at Nagasaki, 211,323 yen, and at Osaka, 156,084 yen. SHIPPINO. Of the 6,630 vessels entering Japanese ports in 1900, 2,685 were foreign steamships, 2,645 Japanese steamships, 1,172 Japanese Bailing ships and junks, and 128 foreign sailing ships. Of the 9,825,622 tonnage of the vessels so entering, 6,243,095 tons were foreign steamships, ©f the total foreign ships entering the ports in 1900, 1,590 ships, of 3,819,804 tons, were British; 411, ot 1,068,914 tons, German; 163, of 340,032 tons, American, and 137, of 297,801 tons, French. Of the total shipping in 1900, 1,075 vessels, of 1,974,428 tons, entered Nagasaki; 766 vessels, of 1,850,043 tons, entered Yokohama, and 1,361 vessels, of 2,816,949 tons, entered Kobe. In 1898 the merchant navy of Japan consisted of 1,130 steamers of European type, having a total tonnage of 447,430 tons; 1,914 sailing vessels of European type, of 170,894 tons, and 19,097 Japanese craft above — "koku" each, of 3,320,284 koku (koku equals 180.4 liters). CHANGES IN VALUE OF THE STANDARD OF THE CURRENCY. In closing this discussion it is proper to call attention to the fact that the value of the yen, in which all statements of the value of imports and exports of Japan are made, has fluctuated with the value of silver during the years vmder discussion, prior to the date at which the gold standard was adopted, and that this fact should be borne in mind in considering the statements of imports and exports. The following gives the value of the yen in United States money on January 1 of each year from 1885 to 1899, as shown by the Annual Report of the Director of the Mint: Value of yen on January 1, 1885, in United States money, 85.8 cents; 1890, 75.2 cents; 1891, 83.1 cents; 1892, 74.5 cents; 1893, 66.1 cents; 1894, 55.6 cents; 1895, 49.1 cents; 1896, 52.9 cents; 1897, 51.1 cents; since 1898, 49.8 cents. Monme=27.0067 grains troy. Picul=133J pounds avoirdupois, catty=lj pounds, tael=lj ounces. THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMERCE IN JAPAN, AND ITS EFFECT ON CIVILIZATION IN THAT COUNTRY. By Chohei Shieabu, A. M. (A native of Japan). INTRODUCTORY. The first glance we cast upon the history of nations enables us to perceive an incontestable fact, that civilization representing the highest degree of culture attained by man at different periods does not continue in the same places, but passes from one country to another, from one continent to another, following a certain order. Man can not struggle at once against human oppression and the hindering and destructive forces of inorganic nature. It would hence seem that the physical adaptation of different portions of the earth to the use and enjoyment of man is a matter so strictly belonging to mightier than human powers that we must accept geographical nature as we find her, and be content with such soils and such skies as she spontaneously offers. Nature and history, the earth and man, stand in the closest Telations to each other, and form only one grand harmony. Thus it is apparent that civilization arose in fertile lands and then spread abroad. But it is certain that man has reacted upon organic and inorganic nature, and thereby modified, if not determined, the material structure of his earthly home. That early civilization in which the food question played so important a part was wonderful. There must always be some commerce, some iatercourse, means are contiaually to be sought. Valleys and islands had every condition favorable to the growth of civilization. Egypt had, by the aid of nature, a rich soil on which the overflowing river- spread every year a fruitful loam, where the plow is almost useless; an equable, warm climate, securing to the inhabitants of these fortunate regions plentiful harvests in return for light labor — the most favored spot for early civilization. Being completely protected from enemies, by her isolation, she produced wonderfully, and was well situated to maintain a high civilization. Phoenicia formed an early civihzation of the races of two continents mingled, and also by the aid of nature, with the facility of coast line, she became the great commercial nation of the world. Her sails dotted the entire Mediterranean Sea, her colonies were on its coast, and from her ti-ading posts radiated long routes of land travel, by which articles were conveyed from the interior of the continents to the seaboard. She was the common carrier of the world. The civilization of the above two countries, the one a fertile valley, the other a favorable coast line, influenced the entire Mediterranean region, Carthage and Greece, and Rome and Spain. Greece was once quite densely populated and most highly civilized. Her islands were closely connected to the mainland and had safe harbors within them. She extended her civilization by colonies and conquest. Greece drove the Phoenician from the seas and succeeded to their commerce. Earope is complicated in its geo^aphical structure, linking together various natural featur'.^s, a vast number of valleys, rivers, harbors, and i&udg, terminating in peninsulas. The Roman Empire, succeeding Greece, spread its power into further tenltory. Then civilization passed to Spain and Gaul, and even Britain. Each of these early civilizations was iu turn either overthrown by eaemies and surrendered to hopeless desolation, or was at least greatly reduced ia its material productiveness and population, especially in commerce. Civilization flowed into the interior of the European continent by way of the Danube, through Bavaria and Bohemia to the Carpathian Mountains, and over a plain of thousands of square miles, including Hungary, Bosnia, and Servia, to the " Iron (Sate." The decay of these once flourishing countries is partly due to that class of geographical causes whose action we can neither resist nor guide, and partly also to the direct violence of hostile human force. But it is, in a far greater degree, either the result of man's ignorant disregard of the laws of nature, or an incidental consequence of civil war and ecclesiastical tyranny and misrule. Thus, for an early civilization, tiiere must be protection against natural forces and barbarians. Agriculture is the basis of civilization, cultivation of soil permits a dense population. But just as no civilization comes without food, so it does not come without commerce. Forests and moun- tains prevent invasion of enemies, by hindering their approach. Early civilization was an exchange of products between forest countries and those having a dry climate, as in the western part of Asia; between those with fertile region, where food could be derived and the more distant and inhospitable regions. In all cases variety of products and available water courses were a necessity. The polar region can never hope to be occupied by man. The Eskimos live in little rooms with no considerable property; in such conditions there is no hope of civilization. Even in the United States there was not suitable food for a large population and for domestic animals, and no advanced civilization till after the soil had been cleared and several crops had been produced; then came the foundation— sufficient food for a civilization. Wherever population has not grown it is because of the food question and of domestic animals. But when rail- roads were built and gave facilities for supplying food, civilization suddenly developed. In the earliest ages of the world Asia shone alone. She was at once the cradle of civilization, and of those nations which were the only representatives of culture, and which carried it in their day, to the extremities of the world. Asia, its gigantic proportions, the almost infinite diversity of its soil, and its central situation rendered it suitable to be the continent of the germ and the root of the immense tree which afterwards bore such beautiful fruit. But Asia has yielded to Europe the scepter of civilization for two thousand years. At the present day, Europe is still unquestionably the first of the civilized continents. North America has also entered the list and is advancing with geometrical ratio; for it has not to recommence the work of civilization; civilization was transported thither ready-made. The three continents of the south- ern hemisphere, Africa (except Egypt), Australasia, and South America, have not been the birthplaces of any of the great civihza- tions which have exercised an mfluence on the progress of the race. Japan has just been added to high modem civilization of the European sense and is preparing herself to play a part of the first importance. The natural advantages of the Japan Islands aa:e immense These islands consist of four large mountainous islands, and comprise many small ones distinguished by their physical condition. This country has a healthy and moderate climate, fertile soil, variety of vegetable and mineral products, and natural facilities for the transportation and distribution of exchangeable commodities, advantages which are not possessed in an equal degree by any other country in the Orient. Its productions are rice, tea, cotton, and silk, and are the great staples, furnishing the principal food, drink and clothing of its people. Manufactures, having the benefit of the competition of different countries in supplying raw materials, are the chief features of the present commerce and wealth. These manifold blessings, the temperature of the air, the distribution of the rains relative disposition of land and water, the plenty of coast lines, the composition of soil, and the raw materials of the manufacturing arts are wholly gratuitous gifts. The native products of China and Korea were naturaUzed in these islands, and gradually improved by the art of man while centuries of persevering labor was expelling the wild vegetation and fitting the earth for the production of a more 2227 2228 OOMJaHRQIAL JAPA2!f. [Decbmbeb, generous growth. Early civilization was introduced from China, but now the Japanese surpass the Chinese in advancement and mercantile skill, as the world has abundantly seen. Thirty years ago the Japanese themselves thought they were far behind the Chinese. Ths late victory and success of Japan over China, it goes without saying, was because she has a better geographical position. The question may arise, "How such small islands escaped the invasion of the Chinese?" The answer is. Because no ancient scientist left any accurate maps of the coast Unes and the course of voyage; and also there was a lack of ships to cross with, although the islands were well known to the Chinese; and also on account of their jealousies and their perpetual wars in their own country. But the intention of invasion by both countries was clear enough. The history of Japan tells ua that the ancient Empress Jingo, in 200 A. D., and again Taiko, the famous warrior and ruler in the seventeenth century, sent their armies and subjugated Korea; the latter with the hope of going into Chma. The great Mongol conquerer, Ho-oe-li, in 1281, invaded and sought to overwhelm Japan, to make a descent upon the south- western island, with forces numbering 100,000 men; but, fortunately for Japan, a storm dispersed his fleets. Interesting parallels may be drawn between the relative positions of the United Kingdom and Japan to the continents which they respectively adjoin; and the resemblance of the geographical situation of the British Isles on the fringe of Europe to that of the islands of Japan on the extreme eastern edge of Asia is so striking as to have attracted universal attention. But Japan has aiar greater range of temperature and climatic variation than prevails ih the British Isles. The great ocean currents exert their beneficial influence upon both groups of islands, so they enjoy this most excellent gift of nature, and the greatest facility for transportation. The Japanese islands are particularly rich in harbors, having 56 large ones; and the development of a trade in coal and silk must inevitably bring more oi them into prominence, but the number already in constant use, as shipping ports for local produce, has grown to be very considerable. Some ports are already well known to the Europeans, and, when the country is all opened to foreign trade, it is more than Ukely that they may become ports of call for the mercantile fleets of the world. Thus Asia, Europe, and North America are the three grand stages in the life of humanity in its march through the ages. Asia ia the cradle where man passed his infancy; Europe is the school where his youth was trained, where he waxed in strength and knowledge, grew to manhood, and learned at once his liberty and his moral responsibiUty; North America is the theater of his activity during flie period of manhood, the land where he applies and practices all he has learned, brings into action all the forces he has acquired, and where he is still to gain the complete development of his being and his happiness. England in Europe, the United States in North America, and Japan in Asia are preparing to act the parts of three sisters of the twentieth century in the development of the commerce of the world. The recent war in China showed that Japan has a most excellent army and navy, and she has shown herself to be one of the strong countries in the world. She has shown those forces which accompany the development of commerce, and whose civilization increases with the increase in population and wealth. Hence, as society advances it is absolutely necessary that the facilities of transportation and communication be also developed. Japan, in every view, has all natural advantages, and recently has been rapidly improving in her industrial products, and can compete with the world. In order to act with credit her part with her other two sisters in the twentieth century, she must improve more and more of her facilities of transportation, her industry, and her commerce. Now, let us go back and trace her history and see how she has grown, and then look upon her present condition, which shows her prosperity, and, lastly, discuss her future and how to improve it. ^ Chapter I. THE HISTORY OF THE COMIVIERCE. ARTICLE I. PEIMITIVE AGE TO 800 A. D. Ancient history is never trustworthy, and it is difiicult to trace with accuracy the record and get results worth much. Japan, like England, is a country surrounded by water, the coast abounds in capacious harbors, and she .had navigation facilities early in her unknown history. According to the law of geographical progress, in places where there are good facilities for navigation and an abundant food supply, an increase of population and rapid improvement in every way and in commerce will occur. The general feature of the country is long; there is one great range of mountains running through the middle, with rivers making their ways on both sides to the sea. Population occupies the country, first along the seacoast, and thence spreads along the navigable rivers, although many of them obstruct easy passage by their shortness and rapidity. Then it extends along the line of the highways, which were long ago necessarily opened and improved into the interior to make transportation easier and more rapid. Pack horses and oxen were then used for transporting goods and for traveling purposes. Stations were established at the distance of a days' journey apart. In 313 A. D., rivers were bridged. Not only was attention paid to improvementa in inland transportation but their eyes were opened to the advantages of water transportation. The subjugation of Korea in 200 A. D., by the Empress Jingo, is the important fact that shows their advancement in maritime power, and it is wonderful that they crossed the sea with many thousands of warriors and with ships, and returned successfully. Trade, or the exchange of commodities, was by barter, as is seen in other countries; a bearskin was exchanged for 60 pounds of cotton in a trade with Korea in 650 A. D. They employed only things made by themselves, and each group or neighborhood was closely confined to its own resources. Consequently, chiefly physical strength was needed. Their dwellings were simple, built of wood; sharpened and bprnt posts were put into the earth, and the joints of the building were fastened with twine. From earliest times they used iron utensils for various purposes, after a short stage of using stone. People were industrious, and though without scientific knowledge, knew how to clean off the dust and perspiration of their bodies after their work by taking hot-water baths, allowing good circulation of blood. Then continental civilization came into the country and with it its religion. With increase of population in the country they began to exchange their surplus products. Silk was known early in this period and was highly valued. Dyeing and needle work were also known and practiced. Oil was made from the seeds of a plant and was used for lighting purposes. Their food was limited pretty much to rice, barley, and wheat. Birds and wild animals were food only in the hunting districts, and fish on the sea- shore and river sides. Wines made from rice were highly appreciated by the people. Such was the state of living, and people were quite contented with their situation. This simple and direct condition of life could not last long, and was followed by an increase of population and a struggle for means of subsistence and a better style of living. When communities became sufficiently advanced a different state of things developed the necessity of means of exchange, division of labor and of regulation of peace and order, and the idea of carrying on commerce. They began to produce more than they needed for their own requirements. The necessity of exchanging the surplus with others taught them to travel to other communities and to seek better terms. So the peddler was known as early aa 457 A. D. In 701 A. D. the systematized market was established, giving the idea of value to things. The bill of sale was signed and sealed, either by marking with the thumb or with a stamp. Loan and borrowing, even interest-bearing at not over one-eighth of the principal in sixty days, and not twice in four hundred and eighty days, began to prevail in the eighth century. Ofiicers and priests were prohibted from lending at interest, by which they were prevented from spending the money of the official treasury. The loan on crops was limited to one year for redemption. The borrower needed a guarantor, who was responsible to compensate the creditor if the borrower failed to return the loan, as is the case at this present time. A law of measurement and the ratio of prices to commodities was enacted in 701 A. D. It regulated, by a central office, the prices of the whole country, except the large cities, where the municipal governments were already independent and separated from the central office, and sanctioned themselves. Exchange of commodities with China and Korea began in 697, but was not very active, and was only in luxurious things. Korea produced gold and silver long before Christ, but did not know how to mint or use either for ornament or means of exchange, in 200 J901.] GOMMEECIAL JAPAF. 2229 A. D. China and Korea made a present of gold and silver to Japan, which they continued annually for a long while. Both metals were highly valued and used for ornament. The first production of silver in the country was in 675, and of gold in 749. Copper was produced in antiquity and used for mirrors, then iron was used for the same purpose, by polishing a side of a plate of the metal. The joke was that people thought that these metals had some spirit in them, as rata frighten at their own reflection, and so they were used only for ornament. Since 724 bronze has been used a great deal for making immense statues of stupid Buddha. The first appearance of metallic money was in 485, said t« have been brought from either China or Korea. Prior to this, crops (mostly rice) and pieces of cloth were used for the medium of exchange. The goods in general use and the food supply were made by their own hands; consequently exchangeable goods were not in great quantity, and the transaction of business was so small and of so little value that the use of ^ silver was abolished in 684, and copper, coined in China or Korea, of smaller value, took its place. In 694 a copper mint was established, and from this time on people began to use the money made in the country, which was coined in a somewhat fixed fiaure. The law of 701 also regulated the monetary system. In 760 the ratio of gold, silver, and copper was fixed— at the rate of ten for silver to one of gold, and a hundred for copper to one of silver. The unit of measurement for length was fixed from tip of thumb to tip of little finger, and forquantity a handful, and for broadness the width of shoulders of a man. As early as 250 A. D., lineal measure v,'as applied, for they paid great attention to building, which necessitated a fixed measurement. In 690 the Government sent a messenger to China and learned the method of measuring quantity by the decimal system, and in 697 and then in 701 a great act was passed lor the establishment of measurements. The development of the mechanical industry of the country largely depended upon religious believers and upon the wars of the country. Engraving was encouraged by the making of idols of Buddha, and fine fighting weapons of iron were in great demand by the warriors. These arts gave the people great skill in hand work, although their scope of working was very small and they used rude and simple instruments pertaining to individual hand work. Skill in work was considered the treasury of the family or house, and was inherited by the descendants. Most of the industries of the country originated in China and Korea — there wore very few original ones. Silk-spinning instruments (not machine at this time) were introduced from China in about 215. In 540 Korea presented a gift of leather clothing to our country, and since then people have used it for general wear. Earthenware was used already in 29 B. C, said to have been introduced from Korea. Black japan ware was used in 71 A. D., and in 673 red ware was added. Glass plate and balls existed in 697. Engraving was the wonder of those ages, and, under the influence of Buddhism, the making of idols for worship, and they paid special attention to making fine ones. In those times communication with China was only for the purpose of getting their manners and customs, or rather continental civilization, and trade was not in view, although they did trade m luxuries and a few other things. Chinese literature was brought in and influenced many officials, as no one could get official position unless he knew sometfiing of this literature. AETICLE II. 800-1540. In 805 the Emperor made his permanent residence in Kioto, which continued, reign after reign, until the present Emperor removed to Tokyo, in 1868. As Kioto became the capital of Japan everything concentrated there, and it became the center of the commerce and finance of the comatry. Prior to this there was no fixed place for commerce; but only those ports where transportation facilities existed were doing business gathered from neighboring places. The country was not well settled; fighting occurred among the lords, and battles took place almost everywhere in the country in order to extend their own territories by defeating the weak and striving for power ; disorder and conflict prevailed everywhere. Thus commerce and trade were neglected. But those ports to which neighboring towns brought their products which they could not take into the interior, and which were deposited with the wholesale merchants to be protected by guards, made great profits. Then the bill of exchange began to exist for the benefit of producers. In a few reigns after the removal of the Emperor's seat to Kioto the central government lost its power; it went into the hands of the normally appointed yet actually self-imposed ruler, who was the most famous warrior of that time, having defeated all others. He issued laws as he pleased, but for the benefit of the people at this time. In transacting business the price of goods was fixed in order to prevent unjust dealing and the cheating of the people ; and where there was scarcity of money, rice was used as a medium of exchange. The transfer of real estate was licensed and guaranteed and needed the agreement of both parties. In 960 lead v.'as minted for money. While the country was in disorder and war prevailed, minting operations were neglected, and Chinese money was found in circulation. The roads were opened and improved merely for facility in transporting troops, and this was a great benefit to foot travelers ; and the planting of trees on both sides of the road gave shelter. But the inconveniences can be easily imagined, for it is said that they made bundles of grass for their pillows and passed the night under the trees. Interstate communication was almost undeveloped, goods being carried on the shoulders of man. Communication with China and Korea was also destroyed, with the exception of some private transactions. Many pirates along the coasts were very powerful, and boarded the ships and robbed them of their cargoes. Therefore transportation on water almost ceased. Only the officers of the ruler were very luxurious after great victories, and so some ornamental articles were brought into trade. All industries for a long time were almost annihilated by internal troubles, except the art of making armor, especially swords, and this produced many noted armorers. Lacquer and japan ware were used for their ornaments and the arts were improved. Engraving and painting, on the other hand, were improved by the influence of Buddhism. The paper industry, which was introduced from Korea, was considerably improved for the use of painting and printing. Printing originated in 1171 and gave great benefit to the people, and the constitution of the country was for the first time printed in this reign. In 1170 the Government collected money or compulsory labor for the purpose of building dikes, which should protect from high waves and also from the invasion of enemies. This somewhat improved the ports and facilitated water transportation. In 1200, for the purpose of repairing a temple, priests and their believers collected money by borrowing, with a certain payment of interest. This is the origin of the bond. In 1250 loaning without pledge was prohibited, and the result was that burglars brought stolen things to loan offices for pledges, and lawsuits occurred occasionally in this case, consequently they began to write the name and residence of the pledger for the contract. Real estate can not be pledged for more than twenty years. The ruler established his own court, separate from the Emperor's court, in the best naturally fortified place, which made a second large concentrated place, and communication with the capital began. The road between the Emperor's court and the ruler's was improved, and towns sprung up and prospered. The country was in good order and peace under this ruler, and people sang for joy, being tired of massacre and robbery for awhile. In May, 1281, a great invasion of 100,000 armed troops, with 4,000 war vessels from China, was reported. They landed on a small island, but the people fought well, and a storm broke the enemy's ships into pieces. This great event was a good lesson to the Japanese, and they began to pay attention to shipbuilding. Japan now became a power on the sea; still the people were afraid of the revenge of China and prepared for it. Since then trade with China was entirely checked until 1342, though many private vessels sailed to China and acted as pirates. They all feared our pirates so much that the seacoast of China was deserted. Meanwhile they sent an embassy demanding the opening of intercourse, but as internal war was again raging in Japan it was not complied with. But trade with Korea was considerably active, and in 1466 there was more than 120 vessels fioating on this route, and more than 45 houses and 1,650 Japanese immiorants were found in Korea. From these the improvement of our navigation and our earnestness in business can be judged. At about 1470 the ruler's power was weakened, naturally resulting from his luxury and extravagance, while the empire was divided up, and several lords were governing their own small provinces, overpowering the weak, issuing their own laws, and charging tolls on travelers for their revenue. These lords prohibited their subjects from selling their tenancies, and persecuted both parties if they violated the law. The law was so strict that subjects also began to leave off trading. This leaving off of trade became a custom for a long time to the subjects; thus the economic idea was neglected. During these times there was no fixed price of goods; transactions in generally useful things were made by mutual exchange. But the wholesale merchant in the ports and cities, where the powerful lords had their residences, made a good deal of profit. Trade-marks or store marks began to exist by this time for giving sign to the guards by which these houses were protected. The great inconvenience of travel made it necessary to set up milestones in every 2J miles and the lords gave warning not to travel after dark. During this period of disorder of the country people could not produce enough supplies, consequently Chinese goods were brought in by messengers, sent by the lords, for their own use. Drugs, dyeing No. 6 13 2230 COMMEEGIAL JAPAK. ■ [Decembee, materials, brocade, embroideries, and other articles of dothing were imported, aad exchanged for sealskio, sulphur, lacquered ware, gold, and copper. The prices were enormous, and the profits were accordiagly great. But international trade was stai unopened. By the end of this period people again began to give attention to literature, but the nriests were the only instructors. Chinese and Korean bronze money were ia circulation again, and smuggling and counterfeitmg prevailed all over the country. Interest on loans ran from 5 to 7 per cent, limiting their redemption to twenty years, doubling the amount in ten and three times in twenty years. If overdue, after notifying borrower, three times the pledge would be forfeited by the action of law. A son was responsible for his father's debt. At about 1621 the first silver mines in the country were opened, and many utensils were made of silver, and coins v/ere minted afterwards. Iron and brass were minted for a one-tenth of a sen (perhaps this was the unit of value at this time, 1535); but on account of their inconvenience and because they were not made of good metal for circulation their use ceased. AEXICLE III. 1340-1636. BEOmHING OF FOSEIGN TBADE. After the long war panic of the country was over trade with China and Korea was reopened. With the reaction of the long interruption the trade was enormous, as one can never imagine. Of course there was no statistics taken, but it is said that more than 2,000 Chinese merchant vessels came yearly to Japan, and mostly silk was brought. Prior to this the Japan Islands were made known to European nations by an Italian, who lived long years in China, and was doing business in trade at about 1280. The fii'st navigation line from Europe to Japan was estabUshed in 1541 by three Portuguese merchants, who sailed for China from 8iam, whose vessel was wrecked and was saved by two Japanese vessels, which met them on their way to China. In August, 1543, more than a hundred Portugese merchants came to Japan, a Chinese acting as their interpreter by writing on the sands, and opened intercourse with our country. They traded in. woolen goods, leather, and silk clothing, with gold, silver, and copper. Eifles were first introduced into the country at this time. This trade with Portugal was the first of our trade with European countries. In 1549, a young Japanese murdered his friend, and ran away to Portugal, and told them about the prosperity of Japan and the possibility of sprMding Christianity. Next year many Catholic priests arrived in Japan. In 1548 Spain came next to the Portuguese, en route from the Philippines to Mexico, and stopped to secure a food supply. The country allowed them to trade only at Nagasaki, a southern port of the country. The field gua was introduced by the Portuguese in 1570. In 1592 cotton cloths were imported from China and took the place of silk, which was imported by the Portuguese merchants, but people never used it, so it remained useless- in store. Prior to this, Buddhism spread all over the country, and was powerful, consequently the ruler allowed phristianity to counteract the power of Buddhism ; but afterwards he regretted this, because the new religious believers got the same p'ower as Buddhists, and a few years later he persecuted thousands of Catholic believers. By this time the navigation of the country was considerably improved, and many vessels were sent to other countries for commercial purposes. As the Catholics got power, one of the lords earnestly believed and sent messengers to Eome to pay his respects to the Pope in 1583, being the first message to European countries. They sailed through the Indian Ocean, rounding the Cape of Good Hope, along the western coast of Africa,, arriving at Lisbon, Portugal; Madrid, Spain; then crossing the Mediterranean Sea they arrived at Eome, having sailed 7,000 miles in nearly three years. They came back in 1591. They were entertained and welcomed wherever they stopped, and brought back some knowledge of European civilization. Other lords followed him in 1585, 1587, 1591, respectively. Of course, these voyages were made in consequence of their earnestness of religious beHef, but one can easily imagine how hard it was, how brave they were, and how they were interested in the improvements of navigation, sailing in such small, imperfect, and unscientific sailing boats, without full knowledge of the ocean route. This great experience helped the knowledge of navigation in Japan. In 1601 the Holland Dutch came, and from 1609 they began their trade by the name of the Dutch East India Company, which gave itself out as an agent of the King of Holland, on behalf of commerce. Tobacco was brought in 1605, and the Government considered it luxurious and useless, and prohibited its imports in 1609; but the people planted it in their own gardens, and used it secretly, so the Government was obliged to change the law. Then the product was greatly increased. In 1596 printed books were introduced from China, and soon afterward, about 161J0, people used copper for printing. After prohibiting the Circulation of Chinese copper money in 1664, the country minted gold in large plate, and silver and copper for fractional coin. Lead was once coined, but the people suffered by counterfeiting. The communication with the Philippine Islands, Annam, Siam, and India began before 1500, and there were more than five himdred Japanese emigrants living near about Manila and thousands in Siam. But the natives were afraid of the Japanese, and never had close communication with theqi. For a short while the Philippine Islands were under the coiitrol of. Japan. Japan advanced the trade with those southern islands, and encouraged the building of ships large enough to carry crews of 300 men, having guns and weapons gainst pirates. Their trade was copper, lacquered wares, umbrellas, fans, screens, sialphur, camphor, cloths, and wheat, with which they purchased from these islands onions, silk, rugs, sugar, and woods. In 1600 William Adams, of England, was ^vrecked in the Pacific Ocean and arrived at Japan. He became naturalized afterwards, being the first naturalization of a foreigner m the country. In April, 1611, Capt John Davis was sent by Eling James I, arriving in Japan in 1613. He consulted Adams about trade, and began the English trade; but there were Spanish and Portuguese already in active business and the English could not compete with them, and finally left the country in 1623. In September, 1611, the world atlas was first introduced into the country, and people learned that there were three other large continents beside Asia, and they resolved to open communication and trade on a grand scale. Two schooners of foreign styles, of 80 and 120 tons, respectively, were built by the design and assistance of William Adams, and were sent to Mexico to trade. This route has been kept open ever since. This is the first opening of the Pacifie Ocean to North America, being only eighty years after Columbus discovered America. This progress in navigation was the pritle of the country. There were 198 trading ships licensed during 1605-1618, trading with 20 different coimtries. fiiere were over 1,000,000 emigrants found in Annam, Siam, and Philippine Islands, establishing villages there, and they brought back some useful things. While European trade excited such great interest in the people, that with China was somewhat neglected, or rather prohibited. But the people, who gained profit in trade with China would not give it up, and over 300 were persecuted to death and 300 intermarried persons were driven out of the country for violating the laws. In these days the quotation of gold and silver was 1 to 10 or about so, while in Europe it was 1 to 15 or 16, and European trade gained a large premium in exchanging goods for gold. It is no wonder that many foreign merchants came to the country to trade, even though transportation was conducted under great difficulties. During this period the "Eefined Bohemianism" prevailed in the country, and the "tea ceremony" was one of their fashions. Eor this reason planting of tea began in many places. The colored porcelain which was introduced from China for the use of the ceremony began to be useful, and soon afterwards it was exported to China. The difference of the characters of foreigners necessitated their having different ports for their trading places ; consequently the country opened several ports along the southern coast, which naturally improved, according to their business activity, and some of them remain very important ports of the country. The first navigation law had regard to the captain and the consignor of goods, and was issued because the art of the building of ships had so progressed and navigation was so improved that such a law was needed. As Christianity spread over4he country and gained influence over citizens, the oflScers in the Government began to suspect the action of the Christians. A suspicion of their motives was aroused by the remarks of the captain of a Spanish vessel, who said " We got Mexico and Peru by sending Catholic priests first, and letting them, report the manners and customs of the people, and then we sent an army and took them by force." Consequently, in 1636, the Government prohibited this religion,' together with traders, to come to the country. The commmiication and trade with Spain and Portugal, which were very active, were absolutely abolished. England v/as also included in this list, for she had an intimate intercourse with Spain. But Holland, who was jealous of Spanish and Portuguese merchants, and never mixed religion and trade, alone took their places. The trade with China became very active again. By this religious prohibition the interest in navigation suddenly collapsed. The Government being yet afraid of foreign religious influence over the people, and on account of the enormous exports of gold, issued the most conservative law of "the closeddoor," shutting up the ports, confiscating all ships large enough to cross the sea, and prohibiting shipbuilding. Even Holland and China were allowed to trade in 1901.] OOMMEEOIAL JAPAIST. 2231 only one port, and the Government levied a tax on all imported commodities ; 60 per cent on Chuiese, and 15 per cent on the Dutch Company, and 65 per cent on individual trade; this at one time raised $500,000 yearly revenue. Tliis is the origin of our customs tariff. During this period of communication with foreign countries the industry of the country improved wonderfully, and produced many noted men in aU lines. Japanese products were exported to the contiaent of Europe for ornamental purposes, as Oriental curiosities, but not for general use. The art of engraving alone lagged behind because of the spread of Christianity, which was opposed to Buddhistic ornamentation. During this period the commerce of the country developed the most that the country had ever seen, and foreign trade was can-ied on with all parts of the world. ABTICLE IV. A. 1636-1868; FBOM THE "CLOSED DOOR" TO THE EEVOLTJTION. _ "While Japan was in restriction of communication with foreign countries she improved her facilities of land transportation. The origin of the raail system began by a private messenger between Osaka and Yedo, to which latter place the ruler removed in 1606, and the concentration of people there made everything improve. At this time the people were advocating what was really the Physiocrat doctrine, and rice was considered the source of the wealth of the country, and prosperity depended upon the production of it. Prior to this period literature, art, jurisprudence, and religion had greatly improved, but the economic idea was not yet aroused. As the ruler of this time was fond of reading books, his subjects followed him, and they began to pay attention to economic views, and economic subjects were greatly discussed among learned men. But they were never interested in navigation, and they thought it ridiculous to discuss foreign trade and communication. This wealth-producing rice was brought fromall partsof the country into Osaka, where thewater facility for transportation was developed, being near to the capital. The lords also sent their products to this city, building storehouses, selling in the market, preventing the monopoly of the wholesalers and giving the benefit to the consumers. The quotation of rice was reported by flags, and torches in night, to distant places. People concentrated at Osaka, improved the streets, facilitated commerce by building canals, so commerce became prosperons. In consequence of the increase of population in this city, the muncipahty now developed into full power. For convenience of market, almost all products were sent to this city and then distributed to other parts of the country. In payment they brought back useful things, and for any balance they received credit in the market on which they could draw drafts in case of necessity. The Government also helped the circulation of money by lending in the market without interest. Osaka became the center of commerce and finance of the country. There was a money exchange market and drafts could be easilj' cashed. In 1637 the Government enacted a law for bills and notes, which were in private use before this time. They were made by farmers. On these they wrote the measure of silver that was equivalent to the goods exchanged. These were signed by a rich neighbor, made payable to bearer, and indorsed by the last payee only; because of the danger of carrying bulky money. People appreciated this convenience. Drafts, notes payable on demand or on sight, depository notes, bills of exchange, notes of the exchange office, bills of storage of sugar and rice, etc., were in circulation, Umited for three years. The house tax began in 1636, levied according to the width of the front of the house, for the purpose of improvement of the streets and roads. After the prohibition law of 1636 and the Christian riot in 1637, trade with Holland and China became less active than before. The Government limited their trade, reducing their number of trading ships year after year, mitil only one ship for Holland and ten ships for China yearly, were allov/ed in 1790. Their trading goods were silk, woolen cloths, lumber, buffalo bone, leather, candle, sugar, camphor, coral, musk, perfume, glass, and dyeing materials from Holland; sugar, matches, ivory, buttons, lead, mercury, wood, porcelain, camphor, rugs, medicine, calico, turtle shell, silk, brocade, crepon, wool, brushes, fans, umbrellas, ink paintings, coral, playthings, cloths, leather, matting, etc., from China; and inpayment, copper, porcelain, embroidery, lacquer wares, umbrellas, screens, dried fish, oilpapers, rice wine, sauce, tobacco, tea, etc., to Holland; and dried fish, copper, rice, etc., to China, were exported. The export of silk, cotton, hemp, silver, and weapons to other countries were prohibited. It is worth while to study the development of the mail system of this time. At first priT;"ate messengers of the lords reported to their produce dealers in Osaka after the ruler had removed to Tokyo (Yedo); afterwards the merchants began to send their private messengers between the two cities. In 1663 only one person served as a messenger for public purposes, and he made the round trip only three times every month. In 1672 money was sent by the messenger's company, six members being incorporated for this business. As commerce increased between the two cities, people began to urge the importance of faster communication, then horses came into use and the number of messengers was increased, and a great improvement was made in 1740. In the same jrear communication by public messenger was made with other important places. Then parcels were also sent by the messengers, and in 1747 bills of lading, bills of exchanse, and insurance for transferred goods began to be used. By doing this the corporation made considerable profit and the Government levied a tax of 50 yen a year since 1781. The charge of the messages differed according to the speed. The distance between Osaka and Tokyo is 356 mUes; the charges were as follows: In six days (pounds of sil- ver). In twenty days (poimds of sil- ver). Three and one-half days. Alettcr 1/60 1/6 55/120 1/400 1/12 11/120 py special agreement. Oold coin per 100 pieces Thus, transportation facilities were opened to all parts of the country and the rate reduced year after year. But there was no regular system until the Government estabhshed the post-offioe in 1871, when necessitated to do so by the importance of communication. In 1688 a gold coin was minted, having its fineness 86 per cent of gold and 14 per cent of silver, weighing 15.39 grains, and sold at 40 shillings. It was amended to 9 grains of 57 per cent of gold in the nineteenth century. Schools and Ubraries were established in 1697, and were greatly encouraged by the ruler, who was much interested in reading. A series of books of 635 volumes was published at this As the Shogun made his permanent residence in Tokyo, this obliged all lords to live there at least three months in the year. The streets were improved, a great many people concentrated in that city, and it soon surpassed Osaka. The commerce of the country divided among three cities— Osaka, representing the center of commerce; Kioto, representing the capital; Tokyo, the largest city in the country. A market fOT rice and other products was opened also in Tokyo, and it gathered all the products of the north, and competition with the southern products arose. . , , , ■,-,•• ^ ,-« ^ ■ <. 4. *i, - * u a During 1764-1805, the silk industry was revived and enough was produced in sixteen different provinces to meet the internal demand, and therefore the importation was naturally decreased. In 1764 colors were added to printing papers and used for the illustration on novels; this colored printing is at present highly valued in Europe and America. ^,. . , , , ■, ^ .,. , In 1842 the harvest was comparatively small and prices rose, so the Government issued a law that wholesale and retail trade must be carried on at the former wholesile stores, and its ratio was given; rice being Umited as to price other necessary things were equalized thereto Commission sale and bailment were known at this time. The interest on loans was fixed at 15 per cent in 1848, but this hindered business and it was obhged to be given up. The idea of saving was advised by the Government. The former common market was changed", and a rice and stock exchange system took its place. j ^ ■ ., t. . • .• -.u t i, ^ Eno'Tand having lost America, began to pay attention to Oriental countries, and tried often to open communication with Japan, but in vain ^pendan" over |200,000. In August, 1803, she sent a squadron to Japan, asking, or rather, demanding the opening of the country. In Sect ember of" the same year, Russia sent her messenger for the same purpose. JProm this time on the people began to discuss the niiestion of foreigTi communication. European countries were much interested in Japan, and began their race to conclude treaties of pea"e and friendship and to open communication; the Dutch in 1845, the United States in June, 1852; Russia the same year; the Dutch 2232 COMMEECIAL JAPAN". [Becember, again in 1853 sent their squadrons and messengers. Their actions were haughty, the oflScers and crews showed very dis^aceful manners, stealing cattle and food, and firing houses, as they did in China recently. The people feared subjugation by an alliance with these foreigners, and the Government, the people, and the country as a whole, were busy in preparing to fight against them, and they guarded all their ports. Prices of food and weapons of war went very high, while other goods were driven off from the market, the stock and rice exchange was closed, and the country lost its internal commerce. In 1854 the United States sent General Perry m'ging the opening of friendly intercourse. These Americans were, unlike the others, very kind and friendly, so people respected them and treated them very nicely. Thereupon in September, the Government ceased its conservative policv, and awoke from a long dream of two hundred years. This policy had restricted foreign trade by narrow legislation, and was inclined to look upon the foreign merchant as an enemy, and to forbid the export of money and to prohibit the import of manufactured commodities. "W^hile European countries were improving by the invention of labor-saving machines and utilities in everything, Japan lagged behind. Now, people began to pay attention to navigation, and light-houses were erected and gave great benefit to commerce. In 1853 tea was for the first time sent abroad, to Europe and the United States by samples, then exported on an order from England. The exportation of tea increased year after year, and became one of the most important articles of export of the country. Lead was used for the first time for printing in 1854. Then books, newspapers, and pictures -were printed and gave great help to the public. In July, 1858, the Government concluded a temporary treaty with the United States — then with Russia, England, France, and Holland — to open five ports, one in the south, two at the middle part facing on the Pacific Ocean, one facing the Japan Sea, and one in the north, of which the porta of Nagasaki, Yokohama, and Hakodate opened in October, 1865, and Kobe, in May, 1868. Then amend- ment and addition were made in the treaty," and it was concluded with other countries. Thereby the commerce of the country was rapidly increased and developed, and raw siik and other articles were exported to Eurofie and America. At this time the mercantile doctrine began to prevail in the country. The attention of the people was turned to foreign communication; European science and arts began to be diffused. In July, 1861, Holland made a present of a man-of-war to Japan and advised a naval system, which advice the country followed two years later and employed Holland professors and officers to teach in the navy. Many large vessels were built and the Governinent owned 44 and the lords owned 94 vessels at the close of the feudal sj'stem. But there were still many high officials and people who believed a short-sighted poHcy would be better for the country, and in 1863 the English legation was attacked by mobs and two officials were killed. Trouble between the people of Japan and the people of European countries happened oftentimes. The first embassy to foreign countries was sent to the United States in January, 1860, and then to other countries. In 1864 the Govermnent built a dock, iron factory, and shipyard, spending $2,400,000. This was the first time that many laborers were employed in a large factory using labor-saving machines. The dock remains one of the best in the Orient. Industries, manufactures, and every- thing were improved. In 1864 an embassy was sent to France, which was shown many things of European civilization, and brought home new knowledge of their manners and customs, science and arts, which gave great satisfaction to the people. As a natural result of the opening of ports and of free trade, European civilization came into the country and gained many admirers of mathematics, the new calendar, the use of guns, and photography; and later on people began to read and to translate books and to study medicine, physiology, electricity, printing, etc. Mining during this period was very active and prosperous. Copper was pi-oduced in all parts of the country, 200,000 pounds every yea,r, even as early as 1700. Gold was produced much in 1711, but the ratio of gold to silver varied from 1 to 4 to 1 to 12, while European countries varied from 1 to 14.83 to 1 to 16.17 during 1687-1874. Then, of course, Gresham's law acted most vigorously, and exportation of gold took nlace: 1644-1738, gold was exported more than 300,000 pounds; 1709-1858, $17,000,000; 1858-1872, $14,000,000. Note. — Aggregate amount of export of gold in three hundred and thirty years, between 1532-1872 was $642,000,000, and if accurate calculation was made until the present day there must have been over $1,000,000,000 worth of gold taken out of the country, while its production was in two hundred and seventy-six years, between 1592-1865, 1,230,348 ounces, or $62,000,000; total coinage issued 284,782,821 yen during 1870-1897. Thus, silver coin alone was left in circulation. A French atlas of 1700 figured out that "Japan was the most fertile and gold producing country in the world." Coal was said to have been mined and known as a "burning stone," and used for fuel, but it was not generally used till after the American vessels visited the country. Since 1854 the Government has encouraged the production of this most useful fuel. With the introduction of dynamite in 1861 mining made a great advancement, by using it for breaking rocks and stones. B. 1868 TO PEESEHT TIME. In 1868 occurred the greatest event in the history of Japan. The lords magnanimously surrendered their principalities to the Emperor, and their voluntary action was accepted, and the administrative power returned to the Emperor, having been in the hands of rulers for about seven hundred years. Then the feudal system was completely abolished. All kinds of monopolies and business privileges which the lords held ceased to exist. This revolution was the victory of European civilization over conservative feudalism, and the admirers of the Western civilization gained the majority in the Government. They sent messengers and scholars to those countries for the purpose of observing and examining their social, political, and industrial systems, with a view to transplanting to their own country whatever seemed most applicable. The first thing done was to issue full credit paper money, as a natural result of the scarcity of coin; this helped the credit of the Government. The germs of many new things were introduced and civilization began to shine all through the country. Cotton spinning machines were imported from France, and astonished thousands who were spinning with small insignificant machines worked by hands. The Imperial Court removed from Kioto to Tokyo, for His Majesty's permanent residence. Then Tokyo became the commercial center of the country, while Osaka took long strides in industrial developments. Here was located the Government mint in 1868; brush, paper napkin, cotton spinning, and several other manufacturing enterprises, and a brewery conducted on a large scale; and Osaka has become a manufacturing city of great importance. It has ample transportation facilities either by river, canal, sea, or railroad, which have done great work in developmg the city. In 1869 light-houses of foreign styles were built and greatly helped navigation. Next year the Government adopted the German army system and compulsory recruiting took place. Horse carriages and coohe carriages began to run on the streets, giving quick and easy street passage. In 1871 the American monetary decimal system was adopted. On account of the growth of wealth and population, resulting from active trade and transportation facilities, round gold coin had to be minted for convenience of circulation. This coin Ijeing the latest improvement for foreign exchange, the yen was made standard or unit; its fineness and weight were fixed. The post-office and the telegraph office were established. The people admired these new establishments and new things, and a craze for civilization arose. The first proposal to compile a commercial code was made in 1870. The Government issued a law that people should not wear swords, which it had been the custom to do from time immemorial. My late father once petitioned the Government, years ago, to do away with this custom, but his request was rejected and he was laughed at. By this law the disputacious character of the people was softened to friendship. In 1872 a large printing press for newspapers was introduced and the people began to learn of the world's enterprises; this was a great benefit and help to the progress of the country in civilization. The American national-bank system was introduced, but with no success, because notes were issued only on 60 per cent of the capital, with Government bonds for security. In 1876 this act was amended and the bank note was made a legal tender for all payments, except for the payment of custom duty and interest on Government bonds. It was convertible into Government money, and an issue of 80 per cent of the capital was allowed to be issued. Under this favorable condition 153 banks were organized during 1876-1879, with a capital of 48,816,100 yen. The first steam-railroad construction was completed in February, 1872, between Tokyo and Yokohama, about 18 miles, and began its operation in September in the same year, under the Government control. This was a sudden break of the people's dream of ages, and their admiration of foreign civilization became greater and greater, although day laborers feared to lose their work, as other countries had done, with the invention of labor-saving machines. Gaslight now put away the dark, dim light of crude kerosene and seed oil, and the terrible fires caused by the upsetting of lamps decreased. The Europeaji calendar began to be used 1901.] COMMEECIAL JAPAIfT, 2233 from this time. A stamp tax on the license permitting the transfer of property, etc., began to be used, bringing a good revenue and yet reducing the expense ot the Government by leaving out revenue officers. The world's fair took place at Vienna in 1873, and the Government sent delegates. After the exposition European goods became more and more welcomed, and imitations of those European articles were manufactured in all parts of the country. This gave great advancement to the industry of the country. In 1874 the Government entered into the Universal Postal and Telegraph Convention. In 1877 the internal exposition took place and gave encouragement and improvement for both export and import articles. In 1881 the Specie Bank, with a capital of 6,000,000 yen, \vaa chartered for the purpose of foreign exchange, to afford facilities to foreign trade in the direct exportation of several exporting firms. It was the prevalent desire to improve, develop, and protect the home manufactures and products and to check importation. By this time communication with western countries was very intimate and trade became very prosperous. In 1882 the Bank of Jajan was established with a paid-up capital of 10,000,000 yen (one-half of its capital), having the privilege of a legal limit to issue 75,000,000 yen on Government bonds, treasury notes, and other reliable bonds for security. When the bank deems it necessary to increase the amount it may issue notes binding itself to pay a tax of not less than 5 per cent on the issue, according to the condition of the money market, with the consent of the secretary of treasury, thus giving a monetary elasticity as in Germany. This legal limit was amended and increased to 85,000,000 yen, and in 1897 increased again to 120,000,000 yen, with the increase of paid-up capital to 30,000,000 yen in 1895. The Bank of Japan, as the central bank of the country, is the organ of financial auQiinistration; it displaces the inflated currency that was in use. It gives a smooth circulation, increases capital available for trade and industry, discounts bills, and transfers Government bonds, as the Bank of England does. Its issue department is separated from its business department. Since 1889 treasury notes have been handed over to the bank, and the national banking system was so amended that only the Bank of Japan could issue notes. Prior to 1872 there was no incorporated navigation company in the country, though in January, 1870, an express company ran its business by steamships, but failed in a year. Hence, in September, 1875, the Mitsubishi Navigation Company was founded, receiving a subsidy of 250,000 yen a year from the Government for mail service and general transportation. Later on it became the most powerful coriipany on the water, having contracted to help in case of an emergency of the country, and it greatly assisted in the transporting of troops iind their supplies in 1874, 1877, etc., when the rebellions took place. About 1882 many worshipers of Western ideas advocated the parliamentary system of government for the better development of the coimtry, and in 1883 the first political party was organized. In 1884 a telegraph line was laid on the bottom of the sea between Korea and Japan. In 1885 a patent law was enacted, and gave pii\ileges and advantages to inventors. In 1885 the Mitsubishi Navigation Company was consolidated with a rival company, which was established in 1884 with the same privilege and subsidy from the Government, and named The Japan Mail Steamship Company, with 12,200,000 yen of capital. Seventy-six vessels, of 39,870 tons, belonged to this company, and its navigation (over a course of 2,949 miles) extended from Yokohama to Shanghai, Jinsen, and Vladivostok. Since then great improvement has been made, and 607 steamships, of 95,588 tons, and 835 sailing ships, of 50,000 tons, were afloat in the country in 1892. In later years the Government contracted to give 880,000 yen subsidy yearly to this organized company. In 1889 Dr. Eoesler, a German jurist, who was one of the counselors of the department of justice, compiled a commercial code under the supervision of the minister to the department, but this code did not take effect owing to the deficiency of its provisions. In February, 1890, the constitution of Japan was issued to be the motive power of all the laws of the country, and in November Parliament was opened. A great step has been taken in adopting Western civilization. In the annual session of the Imperial Diet, in 1893, a proposal to organize a committee for the revision of the commercial code was made to the Government. According to this proposal a committee was organized, consisting of members of the Imperial Diet, professors of the law department of the Imperial University, higher civil officials, eminent judges, and learned barristers. The committee worked vigorously under the direct control of the minister president at the time. To revise the former code which had been compiled by Dr. Koesler was the original intention of the committee, but in the course of the work so many changes had to be made that the result was what is substantially a new code, in which the German system is followed even more closely tlian in the former ones. In the extra session of the Imperial Diet in 1898, this new commercial code passed the Diet by a large majority, and took effect at the end of the year. This commercial code is divided into five books, accorcfing to systematic, scientific, and logical principles. The first treats of commerce in general; that is, of the application of the code, trade, commercial registration, trade names, trade books, and trade assistants and agenta. The second is entirely devoted to commercial companies, prescribing general provisions, ordinary partnerships, limited partnerships, joint stock companies, joint stock limited partnerships, and foreign commercial companies and penal provisions. The third treats of commercial transactions; that is, of general provisions as to sale, current account, anonymous association, brokerage, commission agency, forwarding agency, carriage, deposit, and insurance. The fourth covers biUs; that is, general provisions as to bills of exchange, promissory notes, and checks. The fifth treats of commerce by sea; that is, of ships and shipowners, mariners, carriage, sea damage, insurance, and ship's creditors. The rapid improvement and development of the transportation facilities on land and water aided the rapid increase in population and production and enabled the Government to raise the enormous revenue which it spent in the development of the country, and also on its defensive and offensive power, increasing and improving the army and the navy to face the European powers. This preparation waa unexpectedly shown, to the great surprise of the world, by the victory over China in 1894-95. Enormous sums were paid in that war for the transportation of troops and their supplies, and this was a great aid to the navigation and railroad companies. But these-sums were paid back to the Government by the enormous indemnity exacted of China. By the vast importation of this indemnity from London a great distribution of money was made in the interior of the country, which naturally resulted in extravagance among the people and caused the importation of luxuries from western countries. Plowever, this great achievement over China gave a new era to the country. A new treaty, on equal footing with the first powers of the world, waa signed with the United States and all European countries, to take effect after July 17, 1899. By this new treaty foreigners living in Japan are made subject to the laws of the country. It amended the customs tariff, by which Japan before this could not levy a duty greater than 5 per cent ad valorem. Its policy was toward regular free With the advantage of the Chinese indemnity in gold, Japan became a gold-standard country in 1897, by which stability of currency was gained, as well as international banking facilities. The effect of this change was great. It has been most beneficial to the steady and natural development of both imports and exports by causing a feeling of security on the part of shippers owing to the stability of exchange except in silver-standard countries. As Hon. O. P. Austin has written, "Now that the capitalists of the gold-standard countries 'have become assured that they will no longer be in constant danger of suffering unexpected losses from investment made in the country on account of fluctuations in the price of silver, they seem to show a growing tendency to make such investments at low rates of interest. This tendency, if encouraged, will doubtless bring about a closer connection between Japan and the central money markets of the world." ,.,;', ^ t. ■ ^x. ^u ^ a 4. ^ t Another effect of the war waa an educational development. During the war the newspaper reports and telegrams were of very ereat interest to the whole people of the country. Every man, woman, and child talked about the war, and hewspaper sales were more than ten times larger than in former years. Even farmers, peasants, hunters, and fishermen, who never before had any interest in the world's affairs being satisfied with their small incomes, enough to support their families in a most humble way, began to learn to read. This was shown in the statistics of recruita, which show that only 25 per cent of the recruits before the war above 21 years of age could read and write their names, while the percentage went up to 60 or 70 per cent a few years later, and still is increasing year by year, aided by compulsory education adopted!^ in the' country. ..-,. -, ■^ a t t <. • j-jx-i Durine this period especially right after the war, manufacturing industry made rapid progress. Several factories and industrial firms were founded one aiter another. Foreign trade wonderfully increased, both in business done by foreigners and by our people with +hpir increased facilities for transportation, especially in navigation. During the first ten years after the restoration, the principal items of export of the country consisted of natural products and raw materials, while manufac'^ured goods were imported from the western countries; but now the fact is quite the reverse. ,.^^t. a ^ui u* *j. ^ a ^- ^ The food of the natives was comparatively simple, bemg nee, wheat, fish, and vegetables; now beef, mutton, pork, and chicken arp the nrinciple courses of the meals, although hunters enjoyed meats of deer, bear, rabbit, and part;ridge from time unmemorial. This eating of simple food was only because of the abundant production of rice and wheat and the economical doctrmes of the Buddhist 2234 COMMEECIAL JAPAN. [December, priests. Wearing apparel, such as silk and cotton clothes, has greatly improved since the restoration, both in arts of manufacture and quantity of production in all parts of the country. Now it meets the demand of home consumers, and* also is becoming one of the staple commodities of export; v/hile engraving and sword-smithing, which at one time were highly developed, when Buddhism and war were popular, have fallen away. AETICIE V. CONCLTTSIOH. Commerce in Japan was not thought of for a long time, and feiciUties of transportation were only for armies to invade the territories of neighboring lords. After communication with China and Korea had been established many things were brought in, especially Chinese literature; but there was no active exchange, because when our people were strong they thought that China and Korea belonged to them, and so made them give yearly compulsory presents, and those countries, in turn, when they were strong wanted our country under their command, and often they made invasions, but in vain. When our country was prosperous, those countries were in the trouble of rebellions. Then only liixurious goods were exchanged. Even up to the sixteenth century people were satisfied with self- produced food suppHea. They spun for themselves, made their own clothing, and all fuel was gathered in near forests; consequently there was Uttle exchange. In fact, the country was only semicivilized islands. After communication with America and European countries had been established rapid progress was made. Transportation facilities and increased income from their products and increase of manufacturing industries gave our people the idea of exchange. But an antiforeign spirit arose with the treacherous motives of the Spanish and Portuguese merchants mixed with their Christianity, and the Government persecuted the believers and drove those merchants and priests out of the country. This was exactly like the present condition of China, but the European countries were not very strong, for lack of transportation, and could not disturb our affairs. But this shows that our people were very strong in fighting ability and, at least, not barbarians. The physical geography of the country is advantageous to transportation by water. Its fertile land along theseacoast and the water supply for irrigating their lands furnished by the vast number of rivers gives a large food production and a rapid growth of population. Prosperity, followed by wealth and peace, sometimes flourished, then declined, disappeared, and again arose, and each new era brought better results. After Chiua lost its last opportunity for invading Japan, pur sea merchants discovered that it would be far more profitable to become pirates than to make money in general bargaining. This made a great improvement in the art of shipbuilding, and the navigationpower over Asiatic seas fell into the hands of our country. Looking at the history of the fifteenth century of Europe, one sees that great changes were made in navigation and trade. The discovery of America and navigation from Europe to the Onent by the Cape of Good Hope brought great profit to the Europeans. If the Japanese pirates had had a far-sighted view of the world's commerce in place of practicmg piracy, and had continued their maritime power, they would now, in my opinion, hold the place which England has in the commerce, and all commercial power would have fallen into the hands of our country. Moreover, the prohibition of Christianity in itself was not bad administration, but it was foolish for the ma,jority to close the doors against foreigners, whidb. act prohibited the people for over two hundred years from crossing the ocean, or building large ships, and destroyed all the art of shipbuilding. This, of course, had the indirect result of checking the development of home industry, as well as foreign trade. It is sad to think that the great power on water which the country early developed went into the hands of foreigners. Notwithstanding this the country might be a large maritime power in the Orient, parallel with England's, because the location is advantageous, and hundreds of vessels were floating in the Japan seaa, going sometimes as far as the Philippine Islands, and sometimes even to Mexico, in the early history, but for this poUcy of the "closed door." Immediately after the country opened its doors to Europeans, new Imowledge of civilization poured in. The old civilization haa advanced, and with intellectual effort and influence has reconstructed civil society and promoted material wealth, and has raised the people from ignorance. 'RaMwa.y, navigation, and bulking systems were most beneficial to the development of our commerce and were the warp of the fabric of our civilization. Every decade, finds it more full and comprehensive. The railroads and navigation gave facilities of transportation by land and sea, and naturally caused the increase of products and population, and brought great benefit to the people; Country places came into cultivation, mines were opened, and advancement in commerce was very great. All heavy and bulky articles which are very troublesome to transport, such as lum^ber, mining products, etc., were handled more readily, and they became the staple products of the country. The banking system developed the idea of saving, and those accumulations of deposits from which the people got a safe income created a financial reserve. The banking system directs and sustains the commercial enterprises and industrial activities, and serves as the medium by which the business of the country is carried on, just as the Bank of England furnished the necessary funds in her war with France and as the Bank of North America loaned money to the Government In its financial troubles in the Eevolutionary war. The war and triumph over China gave a most interesting experience to our people. The Japanese once believed in the tradition of betterment by defensive and offtsnsive alliances, but this war destroyed this fancy in our people, for at the first of this war England opposed Japan and then changed her mind entirely atthe end, when Japan had accomplished this great achievement. Russia, Germany, and France paid great respect to our country at first, but reversed their action after we had gained our victory. The only permanent and beneficial policy for our people is to improve our industry and develop our trade, and make our own country wealthy and powerful. The United States and England are the strongest countries because of their much improved industry and trade and their wealth. So the Government encourages commerce and trade by sending officials to study Western civilization, giving subsidies to the necessary business firms, siring the right of eminent domain to railroad companies, establishing chambers of commerce, mercantile museums, * commercial clubs, banks, exchanges, markets, commercial corporations, and commercial schools. And our people have followed in the same track in recent years, and the progress of our country is so rapid as to be without parallel. Chapter II. PRESENT CONDITION. One of the most striking features of modem times is the growth of iatemational relations ' of ever increasing complexity and influence. Means of communication and transportation have so rapidly improved as to add greatly to industrial prospects, whether of agriculture, mining, or manufacturing. Facilities of ccBnmunication have produced competition of the different countries in. Japan. The United Kingdom held a monopoly on machinery, locomotives, and railroad materials for a long time, but now the United States is coming rapidly to compete with or rather surpass the former, and European and American articles are found in Japan, giving great advantage to our consumers. Before the war with China, in 1894r-95, Japan's economic condition was fair, both in commerce and finance, and even during the war things went very smoothly, the enormous sum of 150,000,000 yen being borrowed in the country without much trouble. The victory over Chiua gave the jwople great encouragement acB to the future prosperity of the country. And as part of the war expense •Mercantile moseums, exhibiting (1) home i)roducte, staple commodities of export, articles capable of future exp9rtatlon, and articles to compete with Imported commodities; (2) foreign products of articles serving as models for home manufactures, articles competing with home products in foreign markets, articles apprehended as future competition with home export commodities, articles commanding large sales in foreign markets, unported thereto from other countries and capable of being manufactured In the countay, staple commodities of imports, artteies promising future importation, and raw materials of industry. 1901. J COMMERCIAL JAPAIT. 2235 went back and was distribtrted to the soldiers, laborers, merchants, and pensioners, business excitement ran high. New factories, banks, and corporations arose, one after another, and new navigation lines were opened, extending to London, Seattle, South America, and Australasia. These figures show the increase of capital of several corporations in yens: CAPITAL INVESTED IN— YEARS, Agriculture: Raising oi silk worms, pastur- ing, fishery, etc. Commerce: Dry goods, raw cotton, ex- change, ware- houses, foreign trade, insur- ance, etc. Manufactur- ing, including coal and pe- troleum. Railroads. Banks. Total. Percentage of increase in capital. 1887 Yen. 2,924,102 8,229,952 1,881,475 3,941,288 Yen. 37,474,305 61,881,332 57,168,500 144,995,680 Yen. 20,010,513 77,529,926 74,585,457 175,689,956 Yen. 12,129,500 47,390,000 94,028,000 = 238,095,000 Yen. 90,731,911 100,215,837 165,064,079 "364,399,124 Yen. 103,273,331. 295,246,977 392,721,411 100 1890" 181 1895'> 1899 4500 •Expectation of the opening of the Parliament next year. >> During the war. "1898. <■ Ahout. PAID-UP CAPITAL. YEARS. Agriculture. Industrial. Commercial. Transportation. 1894 Yen. 1,188,203 1,526,409 2, 336, 720 Yen. 44,689,762 58,728,656 122,066,653 Yen. 20,014,874 23,835,368 300,039,664 Yen. 82,560,279 89,960,835 197,233,421 1895.... 1898 An increase of fivefold in a decade. Thus the country, suddenly became a strong power, and made a jump from agriculture to the industrial arts. Altogether it has been most successful. The new treaty resulting in the increase of customs reflected accurately the expansion of trade. The people's purchasing power increased, general price of commodities and wages went up;" in fact, the standard of living of the people was rapidly raised. Average increase in price of commodities and wages in two largest cities are as follows, taking the year 1892 as 100: COMMODITIES. OSAKA AND TOKYO. TOKYO. COMMODITIES. OSAKA AND TOKYO. TOKYO. 1802 1895 IS97 1899 1892 1895 18!)7 1899 Rico 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 120 117 99 118 72 102 182 73 170 158 163 107 133 127 103 112 120 120 IBl 130 138 159 155 141 154 178 152 199 84 205 142 215 152 191 120 123 125 121 126 152 178 137 192 187 155 164 198 104 234 122 271 181 295 212 125 126 136 111 101 114 118 100 114 Silk: 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 97 140 122 185 87 237 98 145 135 112 208 102 121 140 112 151 159 183 97 215 115 161 128 140 305 138 148 170 Wheat Textile 156 Taffeta 173 Salt Flax 111 Indisfo 96 Sake . --. Iron: 130 Foreign 122 Oil........ ::.:.::.: 168 Petroleum 124 Sugar: Wood fuel 122 Charcoal 218 JaoanesG brown .. Manure: Dried sardines .-...^ 200 Refuse of herrings 165 Cotton: Goal 215 100 1'143-»128 1> 169^155 Foreien raw Bleacned WAGES. OSAKA AND TOKYO. WAGES. OSAKA AND TOKYO. 1892 1895 189J 1892 1895 1897 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 164 IM 125 139 163 127 167 136 130 159 170 148 167 145 191 161 144 153 158 150 114 140 164 139 164 128 Printers 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 178 115 163 - 118 119 122 S3 88 240 173 Shipwrights 192 Agricultural laborers: Male 185 Female 153 Silkworm raisers: Male Tailors: 167 Female - 183 143 Weavers, female 135 Tea workers 229 Average 100 " 165-« 117 i" 192-' 118 • See pp. f t Osaka. • Tokyo. -615 and 523-532, the Nineteenth Annual Census of Japan, and pp. 29 and 47, Resume Statiatlque de I'Emplre du Japon, 1900. 2236 COMMEECIAL JAPAN. [Dbcembkr, The wages generally paid do not compare favorably with those in the United States and Europe, and the standard of living is also not so high as in those countries, the labor market being for the most part supplied by those who are satisfied to live under conditions which Americans would not accept. The wages are very low — there is not much margin left for the ordinary laborer — yet there is something left for wine, clothing, and other comforts. Great amounts of rails, machinery, useful materials, sugar, liquors, tobacco, watches, and woolen goods were imported into the country to the excess of 113,334,222 yen over export in 1899; 53,831,714 yen in 1897, against the excess of export over import of 6,831,714 yen in 1895. At the same time the total foreign trade was increased enormously; 265,372,756 yen in 1895 was increased to 289,517,235 yen in 1896, and in 1899 was rapidly increased to 440,558,820 yen, against only 96,711,933 yen in 1887, or an increase of 262 per cent in export and 294 per cent in import in 1895, and 418 per cent in export and 628 per cent in import in 1899, compared with 1887. But the indemnity of 300,000,000 yen from China, which the people thought was to be spent in increasing the productive facilities of the country, the Government used for the improvement of the army and the navy (the estimate for this purpose was increased to 60,000,000 yen in 1897, against 16,000,000 yen before the v.'ar), the telegraphs, harbors, a subsidy for navigation, and the expenses of the new territory of 65,000,000 yen annually. The extravagance which almost inevitably follows a successful war has led to a lavish expenditure of the public money, partly due to the increase in price of commodities and labor. In consequence of the increase of national expenditure, the budget always finds an excess of expenditure over receipts, which necessitates an appropriate increase in revenue, and the question of raising the land tax was discussed in the Imperial Diet. The budget of the countrv, only 80,000,000 yen befor? the war, was raised to more than four times that sum. The Government expenditure and revenue for tie last fiscal year (1899-1900) were substantially as follows: Yen. Expenditure 253,662,841 Ordinary 137,314,631 Extraordmary 116,348,210 Interest on debt 34,278,956 War department | ig' 376' 231 Navy department { 47;066;796 Communication department < 2l'fiS8'ai2 Revenue 253,682,356 Ordinary 176,749,819 Extraordinary •76,932,537 All taxes 125,504,331 Stamp taxes 11,935,531 Quasi private 34,709,059 Bonds 35,172,362 Indemnity 32,638,630 This increase of public expenditure caused a stringency of money, hindering new enterprises and stopping the free flow of capital into promising ventures. Business began to suffer from a shortage of funds. The reaction from a too-rapid growth of the country came as early as 1897, when prices of stocks began to decline. In 1898 the dispute about the return of the indemnity to the psople who contributed to the war in the form of loans arose, and the Government redeemed 35,000,000 yen of the loan. Still the Government was necessitated to sell war bonds of 43,000,000 yen in London. The income tax, the tax on sake, the customs dues, tonnage tax on ships at ports, charges for postal and telegraph service, on railroads, freight and passenger traffic, and on tobacco were increased. The burden on the people was, per capita: YEARS. Country. Local. City. Borough. Total. 1890 Yen. 1.47 1.68 Yen. 0.86 .43 Yen. 0.36 .52 Yen. 0.40 .48 Yen. 2.58 3.11 1896 Germany took in direct taxes in 1896 7.50 yen per capita, more than double ours. The Government tried to rescue the people from the business trouble, which reached a climax in 1898, and in 1899 borrowed 100,000,000 yen in the London money market and loaned it to the business men. The public debt had also increased suddenly since the war. In 1893 it was 283,519,624 yen. It had increased to 419,380,217 yen at the end of 1896, and still increased at the end 01 1899 to 505,166,702 yen, most of it bearing interest at 5 per cent. Then the present Chinese trouble blocked the export of cotton goods, porcelain, etc., and added more disaster to business. Of course, it could not be called a panic — it was merely tightness of money — for work was plenty, factories were going at full blast, and wages were as high as they had ever been, if not higher. As was well said by Count Matsugata, ex-premier and secretary of the treasury, "The present condition of the country's economics is just like a young boy who has eaten too much and is troubled with indigestion, but nevertheless growing day by day, finds himself weak after his sickness. He will be all right when he takes a dose of industrial and trade development." Such enormous expenditures of the country show the unproved economic condition, and the people's power to meet those expenditures, as they become wealthier and the desire for a higher standard of living develops. However, the great achievement over China advanced the transportation facilities and other important matters necessary to the improvement of the commerce as a whole. Mechanical appliances supplanted slow processes of production, and the railroad, navigation, and mail services were great helps to the development. Now Baldwin locomotives are on our tracks, trolley cars, telephones, electric power, machinery; in fact, all the best and latest appliances are coming more and more into use. The banking system is one which can easily be adapted to the demands of business. Statistics show the following figures of banks and loan offices: YEAES. Number. Capital. Eeserred funds. Net profit. Dividends. PERCENTAGE TO CAPITAL. Net profit. Dividends. 1894 862 1,019 1,875 Yen. 101,409,881 127,807,715 267,447,002 Yen. 30,231,153 34,623,518 40,705,138 Yen. 38,777,336 44,622,320 17,463,796 Yen. 20,966,022 18,748,878 10,204,110 Per cent. 15. 4(! 21.71 17.22 Per cent. 8 25 9.35 10.37 Iggg 1901.1 OOMMEEOIAL JAPAlf. Paper Money in Cihculation. 2237 FISCAL YEAES. Treasury- notes. National-bant notes. Convertible to gold and silver. Total. 1895 Yen. 13,020,517 10,679,236 5,112,265 Yen. 21,300,375 20,293,887 1,632,818 Yen. 124,524,590 149,035,640 179,769,782 Yen. 158,845,482 180,008,763 186,514,865 1896 1899 Metallic Money Issued for CiEcnLATioN. YEARS. Gold. Silver. Nickel. Copper. Total. 1870-1894 Yen. 66,146,237 1,583,088 1,422,750 962,433 76,824,311 21,385,797 Yen. ■ 138,786,085 28,639,445 20,007,377 12,927,034 10,298,085 17,000,000 Yen. 5,487,349 350,000 51,600 650, 000 600,000 750,000 Yen. 12,418,051 Yen. 222,837,722 30,472,533 21,482,627 14,529,467 87,722,396 39,235,797 1894-95 1895-96 1890-97 1897-98 1898-99 100,000 Total Circulation and its Per Capita. YEAES. Circulation. Per capita. Population. 1871 Yen. 72,712,817 153,831,028 203,994,169 181,131,029 205,483,263 . 293,168,224 Yen. 2.196 4.48 5.61 4.748 5.08 6.893 33,110,825 34,338,404 86,358,994 38,151,217 40,453,461 42,682,560 1875 1880 1885 1890 1896 : The amount of checks and bills cleared at the clearing houses, one in Osaka and one in Tokyo, has remarkably increased to 1,000,000,000 yen in 1897, notvvithstanding the business stagnation everywhere; so that one may conclude that business transactions on credit have come to prevail more widely and freely than before. The raising of the general intellectual standard of the country by improving the village schools in necessary features is an encouraging point of view in the present educational outlook. Municipal government is now in full operation. The mayors are elected by the common votes. The care of parks, drainage, education, and the fire system are all under municipal direction. The police is mider direct control of the department of the interior. City improvements are made, water pipes run as far as 14 miles from river into large cities, streets are widened and trees are planted. The commerce of the country is keenly watched by all the nations of the world, and the United States is publishing yearly "The Commerce of Japan," containing its area, population, producdon, railways, telegraph lines, transportation routes, its foreign trade, and the trade of the United States with Japan, and is studying tlaese constantly by means of consul-general's reports. Laboriously worked out statistics," the ' ' Efeum^ Statistique de 1' Empii-e du Japon, " and "The General View of Commerce and Industry in the Empire of Japan ' ' are published yearly in Japan, and supply abundant data for a full and careful estimate, not simply of the facts of extended trade, but also of its amount compared with previous years, and fully illustrate the present condition, and so give approximately a correct idea of the quantity and relative proportion of the national growth of wealth. Consequently, it is not necessary^ to repeat them here, but for the convenience of understanding its chief items let us look at the subject, dividing it into transportation, industry, and trade of the country: AETICLE I. TSANSPOETATION. Professor Mayo-Smith states: "In early times the coasting ship was the cheapest means of transportation, and the most effective one. Eailroads have reached an enormous development for inland transportation, but the extension of the world's trade has kept shipping of equal importance with railroads. In fact, the two now supplement each other; railroads bring the commodities to the sea- shore, and ships carry them to other countries. Even in direct competition with railroads, shipping still plays an important part on account of its superior cheapness. Transportation facilities enable individuals to command commodities of distant lands; it makes labor most productive by carrying it to the place where it can best be employed; it encourages capital to invest itself in new undertakings; for the products can find an outlet. The history of civilization shows constant advance in the efficiency of the means and methods of transportation. Postal service was also improved by the improvement of transportation facilities. Telephone and telegraph service are equally important in the development of the country. Highways, bridges, and canals are also a great help to the development of a country, and are of special local importance." Unfortunately our statistics have not yet reached a sufficient proficiency, so we observe only those subjects of greatest importance. As transportation facilities are an important feature of the country the establishment of these increased as follows: Number of compa- nies. Navigation Eidlroad .. Others Total 1898 196 64 276 636 Paid-up capi- tal. Number of compa- nies. Yen. 38,985,583 155,881,965 2,952,868 197,233,421 1896 97 30 110 237 Paid-up capi- tal. Yen. 13,695,009 73,252,797 3,013,029 89,960,835 • I am very sorry to say that the latest statistics did not reach my hand before the time required for this thesi.?. No. 6 14 OOMMEECIAL JAPAIS". [December, I. Navigation. Our natural facilities for navigation are unsurpassed. Among the many directions in whicli the country has been pushing its economic expansion in'recent years, none is more remarkable than the development of the maritime interests, which include shipbuilding, oo»,.,„-r.r ^^,„„ „„A T,„_i,„- ; 4._ J. — ii :iT, .-i. i_-i--_ t — i.._ .• ^i_-i_ "lea interest -^ ' *'"" r,„+,-„.„i : country. carrying povi^er, and harbor improvements, together with its protection from'foreign attack. Sea interests and sea powers are the natural corollaries of trade interests and industrial power, and they to-day take a leading place in the i (a) vessels. All countries have discovered that if they are to find a market for their growing surplus, they must have their own ships. Within the past years our Government has been increasing directly its subsidies, to encourage the enlargement of the shipyards and the construction and operation of steamships. Independently, however, of this artificial stimulus shipbuilding is yearly progressing, encouraged by the daily increase and improvement in methods of production and by the gradually increasing facilities of carriage, the natural results of the industrial and trade prosperity. About the middle of the last century Europe and America began to give attention to gaining the controlling power over the Pacific Ocean, and with the increase of traffic, an increase of vessels, both foreign and domestic, entered and cleared the Japanese ports. According to the statistics showing, the increased number of the vessels entering and clearing our ports Japan improved very rapidly in later years. Vessels which Cleared the Ports op Japan. YEAES. DOMESTIC. FOKEIGN. Steamers. SaDing. Steamers. Sailing. Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage. 1898 743 418 144 386 854,544 475, 347 109,748 327,818 1,254 845 963 664 38,202 22, 827 22,187 24,264 1,409 1,640 1,462 1,053 2,467,890 2,483,911 1,826,952 1,653,306 129 165 164 145 172,764 129,072 90,590 87,193 1896 1895» 1893 Vessels Entered the Poets of Japan. YEAES. DOMESTIC. FOKEIGN. Steamers. Sailing. Steamers. Sailing. Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage. 1898 701 415 126 386 845,468 93,605 277,385 318,163 1,213 834 837 016 36,379 22,634 20,921 23,757 1,334 1,867 1,737 1,274 2,329,058 3,021,090 2,666,334 1,896,057 126 164 168 154 170,668 133,563 97,148 97,S6S 1896 1895" 1893 " 1895 shows the effect of Chino-Japanese war, while sailing vessels of the country and foreign steam and sailing vessels are not affected by it, yet there is the steady substitution of steamers for sailing vessels. The sailing vessels of the country are increasing as well as the steamers, v.'hile foreign sailing vessels are decreasing more rapidly than foreign steamers. Shipping, since 1891, shows an enormous development in its total capacity; showing relative growth as follows: STEAMERS. YEAP.S. UNDEB 100 TONS. 100 TO 500 TONS. OVfiE 600 TONS. TOTAL. Vessels. Tons. Vessels. Tons. Vessels. Tons. Vessels. Tons. 1899 1,221 1,130 899 827 680 607 460 510,007 477,430 233,942 213, 221 110,205 95,688 63,314 1898 . ... 633 598 553 489 441 19,866 20,337 18,987 16,362 14,644 302 166 164 131 113 66,118 40,209 37,217 31,649 27,489 195 135 120 60 52 391,446 173,396 157,017 62,194 53,505 1896 1895 1893 1891 1885 SAILING VESSELS. 1899 3,322 1,914 644 702 749 835 688 286, 923 ' 170,894 41,445 41,471 44,957 . 50,137 56,927 1898 . 1,234 679 631 676 751 67,054 24,263 ' 22,376 24,649 28,513 673 63 •67 69 82 98,168 16,318 16,112 17,313 20,290 7 2 4 4 2 5,672 1,924 2,983 3,005 1,334 1896 1895 1893 1891 1886 While the number of ships is increasing, the size is also increasing, especially of steamers. In 1891 the average size of steamers was 157 tons; in 1 895 became 258, and in 1898 increased to 422 tons. During the same period sailing vessels increased only from 60 to 89 tons. Thus the countiy i.s utilizing immensely the facilities of navigation. 1901.] COMMEECIAL JAPAliT- 2239 Tlie standing of Japaa'fi merchant marine in comparison to that of the world was given by Professor Mayo-Smitli: Woeld's Vessels Gvek 50 Tons of Capacity in 1893. COUNTRIES. United States Great Britain and Ireland Norway Germany France Italy Bwedsa Spain Russia Holland Den-mark Greece - Anstria-Hnng-ary Turkey Portugal Belgium All Earope Canada Australasia Japan Braifla ■ChUe World STEAJIEHS. Number. 1,000 tons. 2,372 5,931 867 699 224 429 367 201 150 240 118 132 63 51 47 10,049 300 538 307 176 36 14,254 825.7 1,183.3 246.1 788.3 621.5 223.6 145.6 302.4 108.3 177.6 122..6 80.1 118.1 39.5 42.6 69.4 1,290.0 80. » 181.5 108.3 81.1 28.7 10,783.3 Number. 4,853 7,749 .3,569 1,427 1,634 1,738 1,506 733 1,'649 447 885 852 241 650 211 6 24,126 8,416 751 1,037 282 149 56,264 1,000 tons. 1,573.7 2,891.1 1, 420. 5 686.9 288.4 529.7 325.0 138.5 213.2 121.4 168.1 192.9 96.7 125.2 44.6 1.0 7,436.9 761..9 169.5 96.4 65.2 76.6 10,450.9 Number. 1,000 tons. 7,225 13, 630 4,101 2,294 2,233 1,962 1,935 1,100 1,850 597 1,125 970 373 713 262 53 34,175 .3,716 1,284 1,384 468 185 50,618 2, 399. 4 9,074.4 1,666.6 1,470.2 909.9 763. S 470.0 440.9 321.5 299.0 280.7 273.0 214.8 164.7 87.2 70.4 16, 726. 9 !8^.8 361 204.7 146.3 10S.2 21, 231. 2 In this table Japan stands next to Austria-Hungary, in the sixteenth position, having only 22.2 per cent of the average tonnage of the total, which average is 92,300 tons, and only 8 per cent of the average tonnage of 2,488,100 tons of the six great nations, England, United States, Germany, France, Italy, and fiussia, and only 2.2 per cent when compared with Great Britain and Ireland. But since 1893 Japan has made her most rapid improvement; in 1899 she had increased hertomnage to three times as much as in 1893, and her comparative standing to-day would be as high as Sweden, or perhaps as Italy. (b) chews and ofpiceks. No accurate statistics have been taken since 1892 which Tvill give an idea of this matter. Ja-pamese. Foreign. Total. Licensed for abroad 752 1,802 1,061 652 ' 52 1,404 1,854 1,061 Licensed ior small vessels - — Total 3,555 704 4,299 In 1891 there were 1,442 vessels in the country, which shows that only three men were employed to one vessel. This fact is due to the less demand for crev/s, smallness of compensation for their rough work, and less comfort in voyages, which naturally causes dislike for the work. The majority of these men were employed in the coast lines, and only ome-third were employed for vessels abroad, and only one-sixth of all that go abroad are Japanese, foreigners being employed in the more important voyages. Of the officers licensed the" division was as follows: Captains. Japanese . Foreign .. 61 Mates. 150 22 Errgi- n-eers. 175 65 Special pilots. 4 16 These figures plainly show the poorness of marine interest at that date. (c) navigation lines. Recently the Japanese navigation lines to different countries have made remarkable progress, and at present the Japanese flag is floating over all waters. Hitherto all shipments to foreign countries were made in foreign vessels, ivhlch enjoyed this privilege for a long time. (1) Vladivostock line. (2) Korea lines, two companies. (3) Tientsin, Manila, Muchwang, Singapore, Sidney, and Bombay hne. (4) Shanghai, Hongkong, London line, to -consist of 12 steamers of over 6,000 tons, with minimum speed of 14 knots an houi, running fortnightly, with a subsidy of 1,331,600 yen. (0) Australasia line. (6) South America, irregular. /,Nr,,.-,,. „. (7) North America: (a) San Francisco line, 3 steamers, 6,000 tons each, 17 knots; (6) Seattle Ime, 3 steamers, 6,000 tons each, 13 The above lines are controlled by Japanese companies. Beside these there are— (1) England: (a) Canadian Pacific Railway Company, every four weeks; (6) Peninsular and Oriental, running between London and Japan via Oriental ports; (e) Castle Company, running lr>etw-een London and Japan via Oriental ports; (d) Glen Company, running between London and Japan via Oriental ports; (e) Ocean Company, running between London and coloni.il China, with annex to Japan. 2240 COMMBECIAL JAPA2«r. [Decbmbbb, -D -fi^ TiV -V® United States: (a) Occidental and Oriental, running betweeff Hongkong and United States via Japan and Hawaii; (5) i-acitc Mail, running between Hongkong and United States via Japan and Hawaii; (c) Northern Pacific, running between Tacoma and Japan, and to Shanghai if necessary; (d) Great Northern, running between Portland and Japan, irregular. ^ , «i j„i' ranee: Oompagnie des Messageries Maritimes, running between Marseilles and Japan via Oriental ports, with aggregate tonnage of 192,600, annex to London. (i) Germany: Norddeutcher Lloyd, running between Hongkong and Japan, annex to Germany, with 199,000 tons aggregate. (5) Austria Lloyd Company, between Port Said and Japan via Oriental ports. (6) Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, Hongkong and Japan. „ ,, ^^' f3.cilities on the ocean are increasing most favorably, and by their competition improving their accommodations, speed, and all other details. (d) tkapfic powee. \.- \^^^A^^ ^^^ ^^^ (1894) the carrying trade was almost entirely in foreign hands, but after the war, with the improvement of shipbuilding, the traffic power increased and came into Japan's vessels, and the traific that passed through Japanese ports in 1898 was the largest in her history. Its relative power was as follows: 1894 1896 1896 1897 1898 IMPOKTS. Steam Sailing Yen. 10,353,694 422,064 Yen. 2,971,196 884,094 Yen. 63,819,992 2,448,747 Total 10,775,758 109,278,986 9.75 3,855,890 124,518,573 3.1 66,268,739 269,985,739 20.8 Total traffic carried Percentage of Japan's power to foreign 12.2 21.2 EXP0ET3. steam 5,746,869 307,870 3, 453, 299 477,121 39,574,417 788,868 Sailing Total 6,054,739 111,284,986 5.4 3,930,420 133,513,036 3.9 40,363,285 162,741,902 21. 1» Total traffic carried Perc'entage of Japan's power to foreign 12.3 15.1 Percentage of Japan's power to foreign, both exports and imports 7.6 3.5 12.2 18.1 21 Thus the traffic power is on a steady increase. ^^, (e) shipbuilding. The shipbuilding of the country has made considerable progress, 5 large steamers, of 15,650 tons gross capacity, and 177 steamera and saihng vessels, of 16,822 tons gross, were built during the year 1898. The Mitsubishi, the largest of the shipyards, made 2 steamers, of 6,000 tons each, although the materials were imported from abroad. There are at present 160 shipyards, both state and private establishments, but their constructing power is only about 40,000 to 50,000 tons yearly. (p) DOCKS. There are now about 20 docks in the country, all under private management, and all very prosperous. (g) tonnage dues. For the charges of ports and light-houses the custom-houses collect 5 sen per registered ton upon a ship's entry into a port. (h) coast conveyance, light-houses, and buoys. The coast line of the country is about 15,185 miles, excluding Formosa, and the survey of it is all completed. The light-houses and buoys were placed by the Government, the Government and private persons together, and by private persons. The figures show: YEARS. LIGHT-HOUSEB. DAY. Number. Light reaches under 10 miles. Light reaches 10 to 20 miles. Light reaches over 20 miles. Buoys. Indica- tions. Other. 1898 137 131 149 138 67 67 91 87 67 64 51 44 13 10 7 7 24 22 26 21 20 21 21 30 22 22 22 26 1898 1895 . . 1893 One light-house in every 111 miles, most of their lights reaching only 10 to 20 miles, shows, roughly speaking, that coast steamers and sailing vessels were running every 90 miles without any directing light. It is not comparable with European countries as can be seen by the following table: COUNTRIES. England. France .. Germany Italy Coast line. 12,850 3,825 1,906 4,770 Light- houses. 927 448 310 293 Per mile. 14 8.5 6.1 1.6 1901.] COMMERCIAL JAPAN. 2241 (l) INSTITUTIONS. Many institutions were built for the encouragement and improvement of maritime interests. They are a feature of the country, and there are 927 students in these institutions. Before closing the subject of navigation I would like to add a few lines concerning the business of navigation. Just recently the Japan Mail Steamship Company publislied its semiannual report for 1900, from which is summarized the following: (a) Coast lines.— The economic condition of the country was not very active, but, as usual, in the latter half of the year the traffic movement was great. The business was fairly done, as the company ran five extra vessels for the transportation of crops. Suddenly the outbreak of the Chinese trouble compelled the company to hire thirteen vessels to the Government, and consequently the company was forced to hire five vessels from other companies, and a decrease of the traffic was unavoidable. But the company did the best it could for transportation, running extra vessels to the necessary places. (6) Oriental lines.~A\\ were affected by the Chinese trouble and stopped all direct lines to northern China or decreased the number of trips. But the passenger traffic was great, and rather more prosperous than in previous years. (c) European lines.— For the outward trip the freight from the country does not yet exceed one-fifth of the capacity, but is on the mcrease. And to the Straits Settlements, which are the most important export places of this line, a great decrease has followed since the Transvaal trouble. But by reducing their prices, and giving some advantages, they have found some increase of traffic since last August. On return trips only iron and the remainders of old orders were brought home. On account of the reaction in Japan against the great excess of imports new orders were almost stopped. Only 8 per cent of the whole capacity of the ships, including the goods brought to the Straits Settlements and elsewhere, was occupied. After July the traffic was fair in coal and other supplies to China, and the i passenger traffic was prosperous. {d) American line. — On the outward trips the competition of different 'companies reduced the price lower and lower, but at the end of April a committee was selected for the arrangement of charges, and the recovery of prices was made. But the ships now building are not ready to use, and the ships which are in use are slow compared with other competing lines, therefore valuable goods which need prompt deUvery all go to other companies. On the return trips lai-ge shipments of flour to Oriental countries made a heavy traffic. The passengers were almost all emigrants. (e) Australasia line. — Both trips generally increase their traffic, and the improvement is going on. Passengers increased about 30 per cent in first and second classes and 16 per cent in third class compared with previous year. Competition was expected with Norddeutscher Lloyd Company. (/) Bombay line. — The important feature of this line is in the raw cotton traffic. As the Chinese trouble has affected the cotton trade, the demand for raw cotton has almost disappeared, therefore the business was very poor, and naturally the trips decreased. ■ ((/) Revenue and expense of the company. — The Chinese trouble and the great need of public service caused vessels which had been in the Oriental and Bombay hues to be utilized in places where they were needed. Yen. Revenue- in transportation 7, 762, 471 Total revenue 11,370,591 Total expenditure 7,372,382 Net revenue 3,998,009 Surplus fund 11,025,601 Sinking fund for building 12,870 Reserved fund by commercial code Fund reserved for dividend Compensation to directors Extra reward for employees Dividends, 10 per cent a year 1 Extra dividends, 2 per cent a year Yen. 147, 986 940, 000 94, 711 125, 000 100, 000 220, 000 II. Railways. The most important means of inland transportation is the railroad. The success attained of late years in industry and trade in Japan is due to the measures taken for the extension and regulation of the railway system , because it gave great facilities for transportation of surplus products, and also brought progressive ideas among peasants. The railroads of the country were started in 1872, with only 18 miles, between Yokohama and Tokyo, under Government control. Progress was rapid, and in March, 1900, there were 3,635 miles, of which 833 miles belonged to the Government and 2,802 miles were managed by fifty-eight private companies. Only five companies have more than 100 miles in operation. Railroad capitalization in March, 1899, was 234,567,634 yen; that is, 67,354.50 yen per mile. The longest mileage under one company was 857.07 miles, and the shortest 3.06 miles. There is a uniform, stable, and reasonable railway tariff, which is fixed in accordance with the general national interests in industry and trade. The passenger tariff is cheaper than in other countries. Railroads are built largely for the passenger traffic, running along the coast lines, where many densely inhabited cities are located, and many railroads have their destinations at the famous temples. The natural effect is that this business is eminently satisfactory. The growth of railroads is wonderful, as is shown by the following tables: CoNSTECOTioN OF Each Yeae, 1873-1896. [Report of Bureau of Railroad Communication Department.] 1878-1877 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 Government: Miles 224.40 22,447,622 293.24 6,702,924 200.59 7,349,811 113.14 6,130,6a 105.30 1,820,915 118.64 8,532,175 7 684,255 47.51 4,408,195 23.20 4,288,202 169.36 8,640,118 12.33 8,811,652 142.42 10,130,063 38.40 -5,363,077 120 14 1,142,493 262. 60 12,021,880 1,480,663 283.18 7,359,667 1,177,493 17.28 2,568,697 Private: JI ilgq 15,619,811 YEARS. Mileage. Per cent of in- crease. Proposed. ■ Stations. Railroad miles per 100 square miles. 1899 1897 /Government. . •■IPrivate 828.77 2,652.13 2,944.33 2,501.47 2,273.17 2,118.24 1,925.46 1,870 170 18 } ^« 16 10 7 10 3 1,000 844 ililes. 4,412.01 8,691.32 3,034.51 2,794.34 2,580.69 2,236.69. 913 746 682 525 462 394 2.36 1.98 1.69 1.54 1.45 1.34 1893 -1 Q70 2242 COMMEECIAL JAPAH. [December, (a) RilLWAY EftUIPMENT. The carrying capacity of railroads is partly indicated by the total number of locomotives and cars. This table shows the condition on March 31, 1899: FISCAL YEAES. Looomff- tivfis. Paseenger cars. Freight oars. 1899 . . . 1,103 •967 860 612 622 440 851 3,811 i>3,720 2,817 2,266 1,&43 1,646 1,385 14,088 =13,681 10,910 8,868 7,391 6,413 6,378 1898 , 1897 1896 1895 1894 ..„ 1893 •32 every 100 miles. b 112 every 100 miles. "413 .every 100 miles. The total capacity is sufficient to accommodate 145,139 passengers and ;94, 350 tons of freight. (b) eailway tbaeeio fob the general and public service. FISCAL YEARS. '■■ Number of .passeBgers. Tcmsof fceight. Totai ; mileage. ' 1898 .98,582,117 84,453,362 65,107,898 48,271,869 36,584,269 32,404,772 . 10,018,642 8,688,388 6,697,671 5,293,840 4,170,133 , 3,365,694 • 22,977,400 , 18,788,437 14,748,368 12,902,976 11,201,117 9,904,300 : 1897 . 1896 1895. „ 1894 1893 J Compared with other countries: COUNTKIES. England (1897) ■Unitea .States .,(1900) France (1896) Germany (1891) Austria Russia (1896) Italy (1887.) Canada (1897) Argentina (1895) Number of pas- sengers. 1, 031, 706, 709 337, 977, 301 363,009,000 464, 012, 850 206, 200, 000 49, 342, 000 45, 342, 000 16,171, 338 14, 564, 257 .Tons of freight. 374,382,266 975,789,947 104,046, 000 228, 906, 758 100,000,306 90,116,000 £5, 300, 331 9,614,041 Compared with the United States in 1897: Passengers - Passengers carried 1 mile Passengers carried 1 mile per mile of line . . Tons carried Tons carried 1 mile, Tons carried 1 mile per mile of line Average number of passengers in'train Average iov£meyj)er passenger (miles) i Average number of tons in train Average haul per ton (miles) Total train mileage Average passengers per mile per day Average tons per mile per day Japan. 84,453,362 1,443,317,956 2,426 8, 688, 388 39.6, 798, 680 249.6 •39.5 10.09 ■i>6.8 46.67 18,788,437 - 1,596.5 396.9 United States. 489,446,198 12,266,939,647 66, 874 741,705,946 96, 139, 022, 225 619,079 37 26.04 204.62 128.27 799,980,847 8 * 28 per cent. i" 46 per cent. " Train mileage of passengers and freight is not taken separately. The EEoIlowing sliows the movement of cars in 1897: Total mileage of the year Average trip .to tertninala .... Average number of cars per trip Average weight of engine (tons ) Average use of engine (per cent) 17,727,009 9.8 13.6 38.6 92 (c) employees. March 31, 1899, of eleven leading companies and th« .Grovernment srailroad the following were employed: Station masters 639 Assistant station masters — 588 Extras 48 Conductors - — 1, 253 Assistant conductors 93 Foremen of engines 28 Enginemen 1,165 Assistant enginemen .". 73 Firemen Assistant firemen Yardmen .Signalmen Switchmen j Signal and switch men. 1,521 103 477 87 359 1,218 Total , 7,655 1901.] OOMMEEOIAL JAPAJS". 2243 (d) cost of seevice. KEVENUE. YEAES. Passengers. Freight. Other. Total. Per cent of passen- ger re¥e- nue to total revenue. Per cent of freight. 1899 Yen. 24,460,000 20,623,757 13,727,172 11,796,653 7,894,773 Yen. 12,690,000 10,299,038 5,937,368 5,820,512 8,576,470 Yen. 1,050,000 2,162,405 1,482,544 1,169,630 621,670 Yen. 38,210,000 82,985,200 21,147,084 18,786,795 U, 594, 474 66 62 65 63 64 33 36 28 31 81 1898 1896 1895 1893 Passenger revenue includes revenue from, postal service and charge of excess of weight on baggage, and freight includes cattle and carriages. Total income shows an increase of 6,500,000 yen compared with 1898, due to the raise of fares and better traffic. EXPENSE. YEAES. Maintenance of ways. Train. Transporta- tion. Other, Total. Net revenue. 1898 Yen. 3,941,509 2,582,311 1,899,656 1,384,943 Yen. 8,239,306 3,669,625 3,040,918 1,593,760 Yen. 4,172,344 2,122,987 1,635,644 1,002,170 Yen. 2,049,545 1,006,192 1,087,348 996,480 Yen. IS, 402, 704 9,381,115 7,663,566 4,977,343 Yen. 14,582,496 11,765,969 11,123,229 6,617,131 1896 1895 1893 The percentage of net revenue to the total revenue is: 1898, 44.21; 1896, 55.64; 1895, 55.27; 1893, 57.06. Revenue per passenger per mile (cents) Revenue per ton per mile (cents) Eevenue per train mile, all trains Average cost of running a train 1 mOe, all trains (cents) Percentage of operating expenses to operating income . , Eevenue per mile, passenger (yen) Eevenue per mile, freight (yen) Eevenue per day per mile, passenger (yen) Eevenue per day per mile, freight (yen) Expense per mile (yen) Net revenue per mile (yen) Net revenue per mile per day (yen) 1898 1. 4. 175 81 44. 5, 895. 2, 958, 16. 8, 5, 286, 4,189, 11. United States. 1890 1896 2.16 .94 144 96 65.80 2.06 .8 138 67.06 = 9,475.51 yen. = 24.70 yen. No statistics of traffic according to commodities have been taken, countries was made. The comparison of the cost of service with that of other Eevenue. Expense. England, 1898 pounds sterling. . Prance, 1896 1,000 francs.. Germany, 1896 1,000 marks. . Austria, 1896 1,000 florins.. Italy, 1891 1,000 lire.. Euseia, 1891 1,000 rubles. . Japan, 1899 yen.. 91,066,038 2, 595, 300 1, 504, 375 263,955 257,072 398, 628 88, 219, 000 65,960,548 1,373,200 856,722 153, 896 178, 460 232,787 18,230,000 The percentage of net revenue of Japanese railroads is the largest in the world. Government roads show a good income but heavy expenses. The cost of construction of railroads is largely increased, the average of 1897-98 being 54,472 yen per mile; that of 1898-99, 62,007, an increase of 7,535 yen per mile. In comparison with other countries, Japan shows one of the cheapest costs of construction, the cost for 1897 being: England $226,119 Germany °?' i,? Holland. 90,355 Switzerland 95,011 Belgium $108,921 Austria 96,520 Canada 54,910 Japan 27,236 France $133,833 Italy 82,217 United States 61,409 All roads of Japan are under public administration. As construction of competing lines is forbidden, unreasonable discrimination and cut-throat competition are avoided. This gives great favor to the railroad business. The tendency to railroad consolidation has been very apparent, but this is not due to competition but to the attempt to get better economy with better management, or, in short, better ^ °^^BeMe3 steam railroads there are horse cars, trolley cars, and other vehicles for inland transportation. 2244 OOMMEEOIAL JAPAIiT. YEAES. Number ol com- panies. Capital. Mileage. Number o£ cars. Horses. Passengers, Car mile- age. Eevenue. Expense. Net in- come. 1898 10 9 8 Yen. 2,035,532 1,245,300 786,375 81.52 33.77 26.08 442 321 250 1,620 901 699 86,872,845 18,448,835 9,283,343 1,809,229 992,296 667,015 Yen. 1,080,584 475,197 273,401 Yen. 724,381 262,486 170,967 Yen. 426, 276 1895 212, 711 1893 102,434 YEAES. Carriages. Wagons. Jinrikisha. Man wagon. Ox wagon. Others. Total. . 1S98 4,653 8,225 fisn 77,897 61,592 204,419 206,848 10!) 411 1,269,866 1,042,925 914. Ran 40,268 18,544 14.127 25,982 1,613,084 1895 1, 323, 136 1893 ■ ■■ 1.171.786 ' III. Mail, Telegraph, and Telephone Service. All three are under Government ownershij) and control, adding their revenue to its budget. Although they are supplementary to transportation, they indicate the business condition of the country and the development of those relations which are indicated by correspondence, by the transmission of money orders, and by the use of the post-office as a receptacle of private deposits._ In consequence of the increase of population, growth of cities, transportation facility, and advancement of industry and trade the mail, telegraph, and telephone systems are also improved. Number of Post-Offices and Employees. YEAES. TOST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICES COMBINED. post-offices. TELEGBAPH OFFICES. Letter Number. Carriers. Employ- ees. Number. Branches. Carriers. Employ- ees. Number. Branches. Carriers. Employ- ees. boxes. 1898 1,144 648 590 10,611 6,591 6,116 14,175 8,389 7,393 2,668 3,076 8,128 596 523 563 6,292 6,910 6,908 7,532 8,573 8,225 27 41 46 132 96 80 100 110 118 179 147 154 39,295 36,023 1895 1893 33,300 These figures show the increase of combined oflices and decrease of single offices. This means the Government is improving the business with comparatively less expenses. Domestic and International Mail Matter. YEARS. Number of letters. Number of cards. Printed matter. Books. Samples. Number of foreign let- ters. Registered. Parcels. Total. Per capita. 1898 157,514,549 109,401,244 72,122,576 329,933,823 228,502,113 133,260,175 91,519,154 78,962,299 50,829,700 7,663,761 5,917,776 5,087,360 1,164,327 683,923 325,064 17,554,040 18,237,885 12,929,437 7,409,388 4,679,471 3,514,310 5,076,648 1,686,977 40,682 617,835,680 448,071,687 277,846,425 11.83 10.43 X892 6 66 Foreign Mail Service — Total Mail Matter Sent Abroad. YEARS. Sent. Increase. Received. Increase. 1898 2,922,663 2,082,092 904,406 323 230 100 2,749,784 2,459,841 1,486,331 185 166 100 1895 1892 The rapid enlargement of the mails shows the increase in the number of people who are utilizing the system. The estimated number of letters sent through the post-office increased 217 per cent from 1892 to 1898; postal cards, 248 per cent; parcel, 12,479 per cent; boolcs, 151 per cent; samples, 358 per cent; registered mail, 228 per cent; pamphlets, 180 per cent, and the total, 222 per cent. In the foreign mail service letters sent increased 297 per cent in 1898 compared with 1892; cards, 769 per cent; pamphlets, 337 per cent; samples, 139 per cent; registered mail, 236 per cent; parcels, 6,271 per cent, and total, 323 per cent; and letters received, 195 per cent; c^rds, 279 per cent; printed matter, 159 per cent; samples, 358 per cent; registered mail, 216 per cent; parcels, 4,254 per cent; total, 185 per cent. Statistics were taken of the percentage of our mail service in relation to other countries, 1898: Corea. China. British Asia. Whole Asia. England. Ger- many. France. Whole Europe. anited States. Whole America. Other. gent Per cent. 28.8 21.9 Percent. 21.9 8.4 Per cent. 5.2 4.5 Per cent. 46.4 33.9 Per cent. 9.7 15.1 Per cent. 6.2 6.8 Per cent. 3.6 4.1 Per cent. 22 30.1 Per cent. 19.8 23t3' Per cent. 22.2 24.9 Per cent. 9 4 11.1 This shows the communication of the country is largely with Asia, its neighbor, but the United States is in very intimate condition both in commercial and social affairs. 1901-3 COMMEEGIAL JAPAlif. The number of letters Tmmailable, stolen, and burned varies according to the circumstances, as— 2245 YEAES. Undeliver- able. Stolen and burnt. 1898. 94,703 59,143 7,489 3,263 1893 „ Money orders and deposits are rather in the nature of social correspondence, with small amounts, and they are not of very much help to transportation. Length op Telegraph Eoutes. YEARS. Length of lines. Length of wires. Number of messages. Number per 100 of population. 1898 12,923 9,449 8,432 60,171 29,798 22,255 16,342,535 9,097,102 6,360,462 32.76 21.13 12.86 1896 1892 .. .. International, taking the year 1892 as a standard as 100, the increase is as follows: YEAES. Sent. Increase. Received. Increase. 1898 161,165 120,600 148,071 51,300 314 235 288 100 166,622 120,997 166,053 54,343 306 222 803 100 1896 1895 • 1892 'The war effected a considerable change in 1895. Eeventje and Expense of Post-Office and Telegbaph. YEARS. EEVENUE. EXPENSE. Post-oflice. Telegraph and tele- phone. Total. Operating. Other. Total. 1897 Yen. 7,689,312 5,820,680 3,835,839 Yen. 3,336,180 2,620,362 1,683,074 Yen. 11,025,492 8,341,042 5,618,913 Yen. 6,340,019 4,080,996 3,358,935 Yen. 1,793,680 1,362,829 1,140,092 Yen. 8,133,699 5,433,825 4,499,027 1896 ... 1892 The net revenue of the department in 1897 was 2,891,793 yen, an increase over 1892 of 1,871,907 yen, equal to about 174 per cent. The telephone system is being constantly extended throughout the country. YEARS. Stations. Branches. Employ- ees. Length of lines. Length of wires. Cost of con- struction. Sub- scribers. Reyenue. Expense. 1898 13 4 2 40 24 18 778 201 51 Miles. 1,562 433 224 Miles. 31,273 5,261 1,573 Yen. 1,896,119 40,897 64,283 8,083 2,858 821 Yen. 674,332 142,431 30,121 Yen. 324,038 90,117 21,840 1895 1892 The net revenue of the department in 1898 was 250,294 yen, an increase over 1892 of 241,013 yen, about 269 per cent. ABTICLE II. mSUSTBT. After the war the industry of Japan made wonderful improvement in all lines, especially in manufacturing, being helped somewhat by the amendment of the customs tariff. A near approach was made to the English principle of levying customs merely for revenue, and not for protection. Hitherto treaty conventions restricted the levy to not more than 5 per cent. The actual state of industry is best explained by statistics. A. AGBICDLTUEAI-, FOREST, AND ANIMAL. Maintaining that the broad foundation of the wealth of the country rests upon its honest farmers and its skilled agriculturista, farming was the 'principal source of industry for a long time, having quite a variety of products such as rice, wheat, pease, corn, radishes, Bin'3-er onions, teas, potatoes, indigo leaves, cocoons, rape seed, cotton, tobacco leaves, hemp, flax, all kinds of papyrus plants, sugar cane, mushrooms, bamboo, fuel, charcoal, timber, persimmons, sweet oranges, grapes, and other fruits, cattle, horses, other domestic animals, etc many of which are of benefit to the manufacturers for their supply of raw materials. Eice for home use, cocoons for silk, and tea for export are the most important and staple products of the country, and many areas are cultivated in aU parts of the country. No. 6 15 2246 COMMEECIAL JAPAJT. [DSCBUBER, CROPS. ESTIMATED ABEA DEVOTED TO ABEI- CULTUBE. PKODTJOTS. 1898 1895 1892 1898 1895 1892 Rice Acres. 6,903,179 1,616,253 1,679,342 1,140,849 706,488 3,009,261 108,888 54,757 77,120 124,245 Acres. 6,809,106 1,603,351 1,645,890 1,094,231 Acres. 6,749,999 1,600,199 1,592,145 1,063,915 Bushels. 236,935,000 44,565,000 36,830,000 20,907,000 '720,920,000 45,910,000 i> 7, 314, 253 1> 3, 569, 159 1> 8, 871, 370 '19,415,593 Bushels. 199,600,000 42,680,000 35,075,000 19,865,000 BwsheU. 206,890,000 34,045,000 30,285,000 15,370,000 Barley Rye Wheat Potatoes Other crops Cotton Hemp Tobacco Indigo Total 15,403,783 •Kwan. 'Kwan, 1891. Average Yield pbh Acee. CROPS. 1898 1895 1892 1897 United States. United King- dom. Rice Bushels. 34.3 27.6 21.9 18.3 Bushels. 29.3 26.6 21.3 18.1 Buslicls. 30.6 21.3 19 14.4 Bushels. Bushels. Barley 24.5 16.1 13.4 32.9 Rye Wheat 29.1 The cultivated area and products look stationary, but average yield per acre is increasing slightly. YEARS. Field planta- tion ol mul- berry trees. Production of cocoons. Tea. 1897 Acres. KoM. 2,124,238 Acres. 1898 749,348 674,720 596,229 1895 2,268,173 1,480,705 143,709 124, 522 1893 No statistics are taken showing the classification of population. If accurately estimated a great percentage would be found to be agricultural. All forests of the country are under public administration, of which 33,072,380 acres were directly under Government control, with but 17,903,965 acres under the lease of private citizens, in 1897. YEARS. OoTernment. Private. Plains dis- tinct from forests. 1895 Acres. 33,117,512 29,029,039 Acres. 17,974,891 17,334,746 Acrss. 14,066,141 14,113,976 1893 A census was taken on December 31, 1898, of cattle and horseB. YEARS. Cows. Oxen. Total. Propor- tion per 1,000 popula- tion. Mares. Horses. Total. Per 1,000 popula- tion. Butch- ers. AOTMALS SLAUGHTEKED. PER CENT OP SLAUGHTEBED. Beeves. Calves. Horses. Sheep. Hogs. Beeves. Horses. 1898 742,412 813,245 682,206 643,292 488,054 593,739 454,072 451,507 1,230,466 1,406,984 1, 136, 278 1,094,799 28.12 32.55 27.16 26.64 873,617 874,663 852,567 837,984 714,080 718,208 678,036 716,668 1,587,697 1,592,871 1,530,603 1,554,652 36.21 36.85 36.59 37.84 1,315 1,163 988 157,866 l.'il,227 164, 815 100,629 "7," 277' 5,771 41,478 41,049 36,026 26,817 "68." 05' 46.64 108,217 107,034 41,419 1897 18.6 22.7 16.6 1895 2 35 1892 B. FISHERIES. ' The marine products are important for both food and fertilizers. There is quite a variety, such as trout, tunny fish, cuttlefish, agi, turbot, shellfish, bechedemer, dried sardine, herring, bonito, shrimps, gomame, salmon, mackerel, dried tunny fish, kainohashira, agematti, konbu, funori, tsunomata, nori, wakame, hijiki, colle vegetable, sardine, fish oil, and shark's fins. 1901.] COMMEEOIAL JAPAK 2247 Number of com- panies engaged in fisheries. Paid-up capital. PEODUCTION. YEARS. rresli fish. Dried flsh. Salted fish. Seaweed. Vegetable glue and candles manufac- tured of fish oil. Manure. Fish oil. Other. 1897 29 19 15 Yen. 614,225 600,678 177,765 Yen. 31,103,631 Yen. 8,997,336 Yen. 2,257,887 Yen. 1,748,449 Yen. 658,705 Yen. 10,516,196 Yen. 239,746 Yen. 6,566,609 1896 1895 14,489,146 6,164,778 6,785,527 1,450,860 2,641,067 1,340,279 1,723,113 337,236 626,940 7,413,519 4,629,766 237,342 145,358 2,870,632 1892 . ■ " C. MINING. Coal and iron are the most important minerals. The more ■widespread the material prosperity the greater the need of these two minerals in all the processes of production and transportation — coal as a motive power, iron as a fundamental metal for all industrial purposes. Statistics show the steady increase of the iron output year by year. The coal mines are very prosperous and produce all the country requires for consunnition. But most of the raw irons which are needed in the manufacturing industries of the country are not produced in the country. Gold and silver are also important for the substantial wealth of the country, but their production is not very great, although it is yearly increasing. Copper is found in great abundance. Gold, Silver. Copper. Iron., Lead. Anti- mony. Tin. Manga- nese. Arsen- ic. Cop- peras. Mer- cury. Sulphated iron. Coal. NONMETALLIC. YEARS. Petro- leum. Sulphur. Graph- ite. 1897 1896 1892 Ounce?. 33,386 29,101 21,540 Ounces. 1,748,609 2,326,699 1,916,649 Kwan. 5,437,156 6,098,085 6,636,061 Kwan. 7,464,364 6,879,306 5,182,427 Kwan, 205,577 519,133 236,859 Kwan. 312,171 448,916 368,869 Kwan. 12,692 12,833 11,011 Kwan. 4,112,239 4,563,209 1,338,200 Kwan. 3,477 1,965 1,434 Kwan. 1,120 222,343 714 128 3,955 2,033,716 1,686,519 Tons. 5,188,157 4,766,670 3,176,840 Kwan. 9,248,840 5,979,880 537,640 Kwan. 3, 621, 899 4,141,480 5,462,818 Kwan. 103, S84 20,442 160,074 The increase of the production of petroleum is something wonderful. There are (April, 1900) over thirty companies in the oil districts; some of them possess a capital of over 1,000,000 yen, and the aggregate capital amounts to 12,000,000 yen. The total production of coal in the world in 1900 was estimated in round numbers at 700,000,000 gross tons, of which the United States had 255,000,000 tons, or 32 per cent, and England comes next, after a large home consumption, she exported 45,000,000 tons in 1900. A few years ago Japan entered the list of coal-producing nations, the production of which has been wonderfully increased, and she not only drove away the imports from Great Britain, but even exported to the western shore of the United States and oriental ports, where vigorous competition with Indian and Australasian coal began. Being superior in its quality, with the advantage of facility of transportation and cheapness of cost of production, it defied competition. ' Its production amounted to 6,000,000 tons in 1900, of which 45 per cent was exported to India, China, Korea, Hawaii, Hongkong, the Philippines, Siberia, United States, and Australasia. The ships on the Indian Ocean began to use Japanese coal instead of Welsh and Northumberland coal. Coal is abundant in Formosa and will be a great addition to the supply in the country. The construction of railroads, the building of ships, and the manufacturing industries need great quantities of iron and steel. A considerable quantity of iron is known to exist in various places, but not in conjunction with coal, and therefore its local production and manufacture is seriously impaired. The copper market continues to present a very brisk aspect, owing to an active demand for export for electrical uses in other countries. D. THE MANUFAOTUEING INDUSTRIES. Innumerable variety and species, and enormous quantities of these form the principal resources of the country; such as all kinds of wares of gold, silver, copper, bronze, and other metals, porcelain, earthen, glass, bamboo, wood, cloison6, lacquerware, and leather; mattings of all kinds, thread, and fabrics of silk, cotton, hemp, and other fibers; many kinds of paper works; writing, and painting brushes of all kinds; implements of carpenters, smiths, and other mechanics; manufactures of straw, hides, bones, tortoise shells, conch shells, and tusks; many kinds of dyeing materials; all kinds of oil, camphor, sulphuric acid, sugar, white wax, soap, rouge, face powder, and other toilet materials; matches, cloths, knitting, toys, tobacco, shoyu, and many kinds of liquors. The new era, since the restoration and peace after the war with China, resulted in immense gains to our manufacturers in the demand for goods of various descriptions which our people are preeminently fitted to provide. The various manufacturing and mechanical industries are being encouraged by the Government and by capitalists, and recently a strong disposition has been shown to seek for investments in manufacturing undertakings. Heretofore native capitaliste have, with some rare exceptions, invested their money almost exclusively in lands. IVIany forms of industry that were in their infancy twenty years ago are now flourishing and not only increase in quantity but also improve in quality. Articles that used to be exclusively imported are now manufactured at home. The total exports of industrial products have increased from 66 per cent in 1888, to 78 per cent in 1897, and total imports have decreased from 92 to 60 per cent during the same period. The capital used by the manufacturing companies in 1897 is twice that in 1894; the amount of paid up capital 518,000,000 in 1894 became §37,000,000 in 1897. The development of manufacturing industries depend greatly upon the invention of machines, which is due to the progress of science and also to the encouragement and protection of patents. The patent system began in 1871, when the Government issued a patent law, but it was inapplicable and was abolished the next year. In 1885 a law was issued again; but being too crude it was 'Cost of Coal Pkoduction. s. d. England 5 M Germany ° ^ Belgium ' ^ Austria ° ^ France ° " Spain " 1 Hungary United States 4 India '. 3 Victoria 10 New South Wales .- 5 Queensland 8 8 7 s. d. New Zealand lo Canada 8 9 Chile 10 Japan 6 2248 COMMEEOIAL JAPAJST. [December, amended in February 1889, taking the form of the United States law, and the system was then complete. Statistics show the numbei of hcenses of various patents since 1885: YEAES. Number. YEAES. Number. YEAES. Number. 1885 90 216 112 186 209 240 1891 367 379 318 326 223 189 1897 188 293 577 584 1886 1892 1887 1893 1899 1888 1894 1900 1889 1895 Total 1890 1896. . . 4,507 In 1896 an estimate was made of patents on machinery. Of 73 patents on silk, 10 were made in a silk district; of 30 on tea refining, 11 were made in a tea district; of 41 on matting, 27 were made in a matting district; of 8 on matches, 6 were made in a match district. Impoktance of Mandfactukinq Industey: 1897. Number of es- tablish- ments. Capital. Number of house- holds engaged. Product. Employees. Silk spinning 274 Yen. 3,292,877 17,291 Tea 777,944 5,167 5,191 1,240 14,470 10, 177 665,356 66,363 109,100 2,000 •8,470,182 '5,163,070 '4„116,088 '1,130,642 "4,778,053 1,605,552 '105,984,922 '15,234,910 '5,650,270 3 3,000,000 '6,548,492 '6,919,603 '2,604,299 Pottery 25,667 18,708 5,277 Bronze ware Liquors 125 3,901,196 Sauce Textile 187 31 9,171,895 4,685,025 1,041,229 Paper i8,'oo6" 47,724 Eugs .7 Matches 269 Grain oil : 8,247 2,619 Vegetable wax 16 33 9 42 85 5 2,704,800 2,641,750 236,300 5,610,714 34, 106, 083 1,667,570 Phjj.rmn.ny . , , , , , , . . . Salt '10,104,771 '1,444,917 Electric light 91,167 • Kwan. 'Yen. • Koku. 3 Square yards. Industries for which materials are locally produced. — They are the manufacture of silk, tea refining, pottery, clay pipes, matches, iron and other metal, etc. The iron and steel isndustry has now attained great proficiency in every kind of production, and is advancing daily. The iron industry, under Government control, was estabUshed in 1896 with 4,090,000 yen, and it improved its investment to 6,470,000 yen in 1898. The inconveniences of material transportation caused the Government to give a bounty in opening a port to facilitate the transportation of coal, iron, and machinery. The capital was increased again to 8,630,000 yen in 1899. Match factories are kept very busy. There were 278 factories, with 19,229 employees, in 1899. They produced 5,871,506 gross, and 58,906,665 gross were exported in 1899. Our pottery and clay pipes are favorites in the world, and imitations of our porcelain is seen in the Netherlands. In 1899 tea was produced to the amount of 33,451,528 yen, of which 8,387,598 yen was esported. In the silk factories having more than ten employees in 1896: Production. Machinery. Handwork. Cocoon used kokus. Silk produced pounds. Silk produced in 1893 do... Worsted silk do... Employees , number. 1,036,849 6,031, 738 1,622,383 172,901 887,098 5,140,627 3,381,008 1,302,912 12,444 149,751 891,111 428,413 219,471 48,460 This table shows that the producing power and efficiency are great in machine work and machines are going to be used more and more. The factories of silk manufacture are getting larger and the number of employees is increasing. FACTORY EMPLOYING— NUMBER OF FAO- TOEIES. 1896 IS93 Increase (+) or decrease (-). More than 10 persons: On machines By hand More than 50 persons: On machines By hand More than 100 persons: On machines By hand More than 500 persons: On machines By hand Total: On machines By hand 1,480 474 509 41 273 87 21 15 2,129 642 349 89 121 17 2,283 617 2,602 601 -649 - 68 +161 + 2 +152 + 70 + 18 + 12 -819 + 16 1901.] COMMEEOIAL JAPAK. Shops wheee Machineey is Used, 2249 NUMBER OP PAO TOEIES. 1806 1S93 Decrease .(-) or increase (+). By steam By water By men.. 829 1,077 994 513 1,151 1,639 +316 - 74 -545 Steam power is going to take the place of water power and men. Employees in Factoeies vsma — 1896 1893 Per cent increase or de- crease. 130,753 47,514 85,988 19,169 l?t Hand- work boiler , Expense fok every 100 pounds Silk. 1897 1893 Yen. 126 108 Ym. 110 82 Hand Silk, flax, and ramie machines have been mostly supplied from England, although a small numher of them have come from Germany and France. Industries for which materials are imported from abroad. — ^A few materials are partly supplied at home, such as cotton, wool, sugar, etc. The manufacture of woolen goods is yet in an infant condition, not more than 2,000 spindles being at work. The manufacture of textiles has become one of the most important industries of the country. Its product: YEAES. Silk. Mixture cotton and silk. Cotton. Hemp and others. Total. 1898 Yen. 73,936,028 4, 647, 401 19,347,885 Yen. 17,240,317 10,281,272 7,807,364 Yen. 48,728,404 .37,083,757 19,113,409 Yen. 3,834,449 2,350,805 2,671,978 Yen, 143,739,198 96,187,235 48,940,636 1895 1892 There are many companies for cotton spinning located at various places in the country. The supply of raw materials is great, and there is active competition between the United States and India in furnishing them. The manufactured goods are mostly exported to the Orient. More than §14,000,000 worth of yarns was exported in 1900. The growth of this industry was very rapid, the total number of spindles in 1899 being 1,353,125 against 5,456 in 1863. The quantity of raw materials worked up during the year 1898 totaled 27,343,000 pounds, and the output of yarns was 23,773,000 pounds. The following shows the cotton-spinning condition in September, 1898: Spindles 910,441 Average consumption of coal per month pounds . . 53, 219, 168 Product of yarn per month kwan . . 2, 728, 695 Emplovees — Male 14,811 Female 49,608 Horse power - 28, 367 Other statistics: Number of companiea Net revenue Surplus fund Dividend Per cent Net revenue per company Surplus fund per company Dividend per company ... Per cent per company — First half of 1898. 67 1,701,163 613,249 815,650 26.5 26,391 9,153 12,113 4 Second half of 1897. 63 1,274,660 249,683 852,551 31.64 20,232 3,963 13,533 5 Increase. 4 426,503 363,566 5,159 5,190 Decrease. 40, 986 6.14 1,420 1 The best systematized manufacturing business in the country is cotton spinning. To understand the condition of the factories, employees, etc., it is best to study this industry. . ,., , At tu • a ^ n .^ -u After the war this industry made wonderful progi-ess and the demand for laborers mcreased enormously. Consequently, where machinery was used and many laborers were employed it began to feel a lack of labor supply, and had to meet the demand by gettmg 2250 COMMERCIAL JAPAiT. [Deceubeii, them frnm a distance at great expense and inuch loss of time. Many companies sent agents over 200 miles to get employees. As to the eflciency of the work of those brought from a distance, few are found to quit the company, although they need a few days' careful drilling, while those who come from neighboring towns are found to need no practice, for they have seen and heard in their surroundings. But they very readily quit work, for they come just to get money; therefore, if they are told of better wages, they are easily influenced to quit the place. The defects of the former are that when they return to their homes for festivals, funerals, and so forth, they stay a longtime; the latter, having their homes in the near neighborhood quickly quit in case of slight sickness and other circumstances. Very few children come by their own desire; most come by their parents' financial trouble, i. e., parents send them for work and get their wages. People who can support themselves hate to send their children, because the associations are not good, and nothing can be learned except to do that particular work. The employees, especially the females, are children of very poor people, as of peasants, fishermen, and coolies. They have no idea of sanitation or the health of their bodies, and have no proper education; therefore they have no patience in their work and no ideas of saving; they spend all they earn for insignificant things. Employees from the city or town, where there are facilities of communication, are smart in work, but these" facilities give them opportunities to return to their homes, and they never stay long for work. On the other hand, those who come from a distance remain comparatively longer, but take a longer time to become acquainted with the work. The reason of their quitting is very simple — change of their customs. They have not grown up under strict rules of conduct, and the factory system makes them as uncomfortable as if they were working in imprisonment. Employers want to have as many employees from a distance as possible, but there is considerable expense to this, as for sending agents, commission for recommenders, outfit of clothing and traveling expenses given to employees, and advance payments which often are never returned. Another defect is the competition of employers to get these employees, which gives the latter some favorable considerations. Still another is that employees are cheated by the commissioner, and often complain to the company for breach of contract. The contract is written, the time is from three to five years, and their ages from 10 to 60 years, because the older employees demand generally that their young children be employed with them. In October, 1897, in seventy cotton-spinning companies there were 71,301 employees, as follows: YEARS. Male. Female. YEARS. Male. Female. Under 11 254 228 857 736 3,354 814 1,875 7,684 6,071 19,734 Under 30 6,166 2,481 911 302 10 14,414 3,656 1,420 327 9 Under 12 Under 40 Under 14. Under 50 Under 15 Under 60 Under 20 Over 60 - Thus, female children under 12 years of age form only 3.8 per cent of the total and 4.8 per cent of totaljemale employees, and male children under 14 years of age only 1.8 per cent of total and 8.7 per cent of total male employees. Their length of employment, October, 1897, in the seventy firms was as follows: YEARS. Male. Female. 6,486 3,755 2,024 1,165 829 579 374 87 26,470 12,872 7,462 4,297 2,489 1,826 512 76 Under2 . . . Under 3 Under 4 Unner 5 . . Under 7 Under 10 . Total 15,299 56, 004 HOURS OF LABOR. Generally speaking, they change their work from day to night every other week or every ten days, although changes are made according to weather and season. They work ten to eleven hours, having recess one to one and one-half hours every three or foxir hours. The hours are never different with male, female, old or young, but the kind of work differs. A discussion took place about the question of night work. Some say it is too hard. To discuss this question intelligently, the first thing is to observe the custom and degree of civilization, and also the benefit of the country ; therefore, all European and American methods can not be taken into consideration. Eleven hours of work are short compared with the hours of clerks and salesmen, who sit in stores from twelve to eighteen hours. Of course, the work on the machines is not very eas}', needing constant watching of the movements under fixed arrangements, and of careful study. As to the night work, they rather prefer it in winter, because they are largely poor people and lack bedclothing and fuel at home ; so they prefer to come to work and save expenses, and also on account of the larger wages in night work. In summer the factory is cooler than their little houses. Wages, Piecework and Salaky Togethbk, October, 1897. PER DAY. Male. Female. PER DAY. Male. Female. Sen. 52 222 577 736 1,536 1,718 2,689 Sen. 418 2,103 8,059 8,772 10,515 8,924 6,904 Under 25 Sen. . 3,369 1,755 954 716 552 270 131 Sm. 5,571 2,676 623 145 20 5 Under 30 Tinder 10 Under 35 Under 12 Under 40 Under 50 Under 17 UnderCO Over 60 The average of wages per day is 23 J sen for males and 14J sen for females. Customarily, females under 14 years of age begin under 7 sen a day, and over 14 years, 8 or 9 sen are paid. Males under 16 get 11 to 12 sen, and over 16, 12 to 14 sen are paid. The increase in wages runs from 1 to 3 sen per day. The payments are made according to the condition of employees and the custom of the place, but always with regard to the wish of laborers (daily, every ten days, or monthly). Boarding expenses, if they live in tenements; the charges, if they live at the company boarding houses; rent, if requested by the house owner, and the compulsory savings are deducted from payments. Wages rose very high after the war. The average rise for males waa 45 per cent; for females, 83 per cent in October, 1897, in some places rising as high as 200 per cent on female labor. 1901.] COMMERCIAL JAPAJf. 2251 SANITARY CONDITION OF PACT0BIE3. All companies pay attention to the health of their employees, but the laborers, as said before, have no ideas in this regard. When they get their wages they spend them for eating and drinking, spoil themselves, and the attention of the employers to sanitation is in vain. They furnish doctors an4 examine the patients, but if the examination is too strict the latter dislike it and run away. The expense to which 62 large companies went for sanitary improvements for three summer months was 12,405 yen in 1897, with average of 200 yen per company. But there is a hopeful decrease in the amount of sickness among the laborers. Sickness in thirty-five factories, from October, 1896, to October, 1897, is shown as follows: Aggre- gate. Deaths. Contagious disesises , Developmental and exhaustive . . Skin and muscle Bones and joints Blood vessels Internal organs Breathing, throat Diet Nerves Kidney and reproductive organs. Wounds , Miscellaneous , Total 735 2,807 3,015 235 6, 220 10,220 14, 115 872 1,547 2,375 1,220 44,270 42 5 12 2 104 39 17 11 2 6 249 The above table shows the greatest number in the diet list, and the next is in throat disease, caused by drinking. BUILDINGS. Recently great improvement has been made in factory buildings, which are now erected under the supervision of technical architects, who have studied the European and American factories. Most of them are of bx-ick or stone, but on account of earthquakes most are of one story and very seldom of three stories. They pay attention to light, ventilation, and especially to the prevention of fire. To keep the factory clean they sweep it all over three or four times a year, besides the daily sweeping. Dormitories are not in the foreign style at all; they are made for the convenience of our laborers, which the foreign style of dormitory would not be. EDUCATION. First of all, labor and education can not run parallel; the employees work all day and come home almost worn out, and it is impossible to pour learning into such dull heads. Moreover, they had not proper education when they came, and if they are compelled to attend lectures they dislike it and run away. But on account of the improvement of machinery and the division of labor, they need more education. Some companies give lectures by priests, and inculcate morals; some use shadow pictures and explain the redress of wrong and try to improve their personality; others give lessons in sewing to female laborers, and this last is the only successful method. In thirty-seven large factories, October, 1897, there were 6,041 males and 21,463 females who could read, and 1,211 males and 17,471 females who could not read; there were 521 males and 3,124 females under 14 years of age who could read, and 405 males and 3,808 females who could not read. Three to 6 per cent of the wages are reduced compulsory for savings, on which the company gives 5 to 10 per cent interest, and this they never allow to be drawn out during the employment, unless it is needed. But, as stated before, the laborers are ignorant and never understand the principle, and think that the sum taken away has gone as a contribution or commission to the officers of the company, although as time passes they begin to know the value of the idea. The result was: (1) Some idea of savings for need was given and at the same time their extravagance was stopped. (2) When sickness occurred in their families it gave great help. When expiration of employment came they had some capital. As the amount of savings increased they became more and more studious to save. If they violate the by-laws those saved amounts are forfeited, thus insuring their good behavior. Naturally they change their customs and tendencies and become good employees and get more wages. Thus the system is of great benefit to the companjr as well as the employees themselves. Besides these savings the company takes their deposit on voluntary savings and gives interest a little higher than the market rate. The company also sendi their remittances of money to their homes without any charge. 2252 COMMERCIAL JAPAJS". [Decembek, PENSION. For long service the company gives pensions according to the length of employment and rate of wages. Faotoeies op All Kinds Employing More than 30 Men in Japan December 31, 1897. BY MACHINE POWEK. HAND POWEE. ARTICLES. Number of facto- ries. Number of ma- chines. Horse- power. Employees. Number of facto- ries. Employees. Silk thread 1,939 150 16 15 144 328 42 4 29 52 13 11 10 9 47 5 14 6 13 11 29 2,721 278 34 19 192 1,074 72 4 40 63 13 13 16 11 126 5 81 14 13 15 19,796 18, 526 1,055 2,792 64,373 48,462 1,193 18 798 650 391 85 400 156 6,693 38 128 1,030 394 553 161,345 130,133 3,771 5,793 30,737 124, 027 5,809 1,026 1,425 5,962 1,453 804 1,144 1,238 6,403 407 1,519 2,762 3,606 3,400 3,482 153 6 120 187 44 115 143 269 1 41 99 19 138 28 47 53 28 4 13,671 779 Cotton thread SilktextUes 7,156 18,416 2,234 9,812 27,742 32 218 Cotton textiles Machine and instrmnent for vessels Mining Tobacco Matches Refine rice Printing •■ 1,892 10, 331 836 Brick and tile Dvcing saki.f. :: 9 795 Glass 2I279 2 682 Paper Pottery Match sticks 1,734 Hemp textiles .Hemp thread Thread Clocks 3 36 106 4 6 384 4,301 6,928 612 Straw braid Matting ^ Cement 22 14 5 4 44 15 5 26 2,660 429 36 1,732 4,015 1,691 188 324 Cotton ■. Wire Electricity t Rugs 36 3 42 4 1,392 166 Cans 1 5 1 5 75 460 30 805 Springs 216 2 4 7 7 8 8 2 4 7 31 16 10 60 76 71 202 238 366 140 1,004 465 257 908 568 Brushes 1 1 Nets 1 Hats Oil "Kauten" 6 437 6 2 8 5 2 14 73 9 80 191 160 2,694 Measures 11 11 4 4 3 567 Leather goods 1,067 1,284 220 Toothpicks Lanterns 3 2 3 104 58 20 104 192 Hand organs 3 18 7 11 2 4 9 Fans 2 416 Bamboo ware 534 2 2 2 2 36 1 29 116 73 3alt Tea 1 226 Marine products 2 6 3 4 4 22 3 4 194 310 47 30 106 842 158 240 Medicine - 3 5 3 2 2 241 901 Wool 6 2 4 10 2 4 1,084 16 40 2,680 120 730 Wicks 128 6 4 1 700 2 1 4 1 2 2 2 2 1 12 1 8 4 4 50 8 144 5 400 12 216 116 47 300 32 130 234 118 220 2 406 Qas AETICLE III. TEADE. That the amount of foreign trade is the sole and suiEcient measure of material progress is stated as a mercantile principle. Internal trade is likewise important, especially in a country like the United States, but this indicates only a part of economic improvement and is commonly free and unimpeded. Therefore let us observe the foreign trade here. The restoration in 1868 abolished all unsuitable features and developed all the favorable systems and regulations of trade, industry, laws, transportation, etc., and trade became vastly more prosperous. The development of our foreign trade in the past few years has been simply wonderful, and within that period it has expanded to the western countries, where it has been very great. These western countries have offered us great competition for the trade of China; the excellence and uniform cheapness of our products defy competition. For instance, as Professor Mayo-Smith stated, "Down to the beginning of the seventies China was almost the only source of tea supply for the Western World; then Japan came in as a competitor and now exports more than ?4,000,000 worth." The increase of manufactures, the application of steam on land and sea, the growth of population, and a more liberal commercial policy developed the country's trade with marvelous rapidity. • The movement of trade is accurately measured by the statistics of imports and exports, if all invoice values are true. 1901.1 OOMMEECIAL JAPAN. 2253 ToTiLL Vaiue op Imposts and Exports. [In round nvunbers, yen.] EXPOETS. YEARS. Japanese pro- duce. Foreign pro- duce. Total. Export per capita. 1868 15,553,500 21,635,400 25,988,000 36,268,000 65,705,500 89,712,900 136,112,200 165,753,800 214,929,900 203,943,800 1873 1878 1883 1888 1893 88,950,000 134,991,000 162,903,200 212,962,100 762,900 1,121,100 2,860,600 1,977,800 2.18 3.26 8.83 4.92 1895 1898 1899 1900 IMPORTS. 1868 10,^93,000 28,107,400 32,874,800 28,444,800 65,455,200 88,257,200 129,269,600 277,502,200 220,401,900 287,169,600 1873 1875 1883 1888 1893 69,600 177,300 231,427 360,900 88, 187, 600 129,083,300 277,270,700 220,061,000 2.15 3.09 6.42 5.04 1895 1898 ; 1899 1900 TOTAL EXPOETS AND IMPORTS. YEARS. • EXCESS. Imports. Exports. 1868 2,624,500 49,142,800 58,863,100 64,712,900 131,160,700 177,970,000 . 265,372,800 443, 265, 900 435,330,800 491,113,300 4,860,400 1873 6,471,900 6j88»t700 1878 1883 * • 7, 823, 200 260,300 1,465,700 6,861,600 1888 .'.... 1893 1896 iii,748,466 8,472,000 83,225,800 1899 1900 The foreign trade of the country has increased more than fourfold in the last twenty years and its rapidity far exceeds the rate of the world's progress, while England, Germany, and France increased only 10 to 30 per cent. Even in later years the progress is wonderful. The total value of the whole trade of 1900 shows an increase of 108,677,48S yen over 1897 and 201,596,097 yen over 1S96, or over 28 and 52 per cent, respectively. The corresponding figures of 1890 show an increase of over 300 per cent in a decade. Total trade per capita was also increased from 3.45 yen in 1890 to 9.96 yen in 1899. Statistics of Gold and Silver. YEARS. Export. Import. EXCESS. Export. Import. 1890 Yen. 13,778,600 12,289,200 27,301,700 11,598,900 19,219,200 86,987,600 11,178,200 Yen. 1,200,600 11,186,500 5,874,200 39,142,200 81,466,700 42,503,800 20,163,600 Yen. 12,577,900 1,102,700 21,427,600 Yen. 1893 . .. 1896 27,643,300 62,247,500 1897 1898 44,423,700 1899 8,985,200 Though the development of foreign trade is very great, when we compare it with the trade of European and American countries we see at once that the country is still in the kindergarten state. COUNTRIES. United Kingdom . France Germany United States Holland Netherlands Belgium Austria-Hungary . Italy Spain 1891 Million yen. 5,212 3,200 3,130 2,570 1,600 1,423 1,100 1,050 630 582 1899 Million yen. 7,297 3,133 »4,572 »4,149 «2,649 2,649 1,498 1,335 1,440 1,134 °682 COUNTRIES. Switzerland Sweden and Norway . Brazil China Turkey Argentina Denmark Chile Mexico British India Japan 1891 1899 MiUion Million yen. yen. 608 '712 408 ■'674 400 "470 330 ■'530 251 "325 246 60S 233 •418 202 »197 180 222 1,183 435 142 No. 6 16 «1898. l>1897. «1896. 2254 COMMEEGIAL JAPAJS". [December, The above figures show that the total trade of Japan was only 5.5 per cent compared with the United Kingdom, and only 11.6 per cent compared with the average amoimt, 3,754 million yen, of the six strong coimtries— the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, France, Belgium, and Austria. The following is the share of trade conducted by foreign and Japanese merchants, respectively, in yens: IMPORTS. YEAKS. Japanese. Per cent. Foreigners. Per cent. 1883 1,383,000 11,635,000 16,694,000 90,472,259 4.8 17.8 19 32.6 2,704,900 53,820,000 70, 903, 193 104,127,000 95.2 82.2 81 67.4 1888 1893 1898 EXPORTS. 1883 .'... 5,149,000 7,081,500 13,655,000 55,060,500 14.4 11.1 15.5 33.7 30,657,000 56,599,000 74,486,000 107, 736, 000 85.6 88.9 84.5 66. S 1888 1893 1898 : TOTAL PER CENT. YEARS. Japanese. Foreigners. 1883 9.6 14.4 17.2 33.2 90.4 85.5 82.8 66.8 1888 1893 1898 : This shows that Japanese merchants are invading the domain formerly monopolized by foreigners, for in 1898 the direct exports by Japanese merchants represented only 11.1 per cent out of the total exports, whereas in 1898 they rose to 33.7 per cent. In imports a decade ago only 17.8 per cent was conducted by Japanese merchants, whereas in 1898 they rose to 32.6 per cent. Japanese merchants have labored to get rid of the foreign middlemen, and they have somewhat succeeded. Classification of Countkies with the Trade, in Yen. COUNTRIES. United States England China British India Honglioug Germany France French India Korea Belgium Asiatic Russia Siam Switzerland Italy Philippines Australasia Canada Austria Hawaii Holland Russia Spain Sweden and Norway.. Turkey Other countries Sold to ships in ports - 1899 1894 Exports. Imports. Total. Exports. Imports. Total. 63,919,270 38,215,894 102,235,164 43,323,567 - 10,982,558 58,406,115 11, 270, 771 44, 836, 994 56.107,765 5,950,198 •42,189,874 48,140,072 40,257,034 28,687,731 68,914,765 8,813,937 17, 511, 507 26,326,494 6,062,049 43,883,886 49, 945, 935 8, 688, 159 10,660,448 14,248,607 34,291,308 7,338,455 11,629,763 16,199,481 8,999,718 16,199,199 3,796,927 17,613,191 21,410,115 1,617, .549 7, 909, 542 9,427,091 29,247,837 5,768,180 35,016,017 19,498,776 4,348,048 23,846,824 161,048 4, 489, 326 4,650,374 24,523 6,204,147 62,286,670 6,995,931 4,976,167 11,672,098 2,36.5,112 2,183,313 4,548,425 331,415 5,415,810 5, 747, 225 19,480 1,201,121 1,220,601 2,556,003 4,524,120 7,090,123 992,755 1, 165, 306 2,158,061 26,614 757,030 783,644 2,953 618,859 621,812 111,518 1,676,669 1,788,187 103,021 629,208 1,332,209 3, 581, 709 236,988 3,818,697 2,900,390 170,340 3,070,730 286,772 2,383,874 2,670,616 220,687 1,698,819 1,919,406 2,169,921 1, 708, 670 3,878,591 1,098,066 534, 763 1,632,829 2,358,099 182,018 2, 540, 107 2, 211, 687 45,395 2,257,082 674,527 1,250,218 1,924,745 465,186 19,820 485,006 1, 351, 950 5,623 1,357,573 313,908 6,148 320,056 322,155 914,406 1, 236, 561 136,871 30,174 167,045 616, 802 49,123 665,925 27,594 8,468 36,062 57,732 101,718 159,450 52,307 43,463 95,770 12,043 120, 664 132,707 576 18, 623 19,199 92,651 26,053 118,704 16,744 3,446 20,290 943,189 5,196,013 6, 139, 202 754,223 398,847 1,152,070 3,434,560 1,948,396 The trade with the United States is at the head of the list, having the greatest number of cargoes and price, as over one-fifth of the total trade of the country was with that country, and also the United States is the field of the most promising trade in the future. China and Hongkong trade are next important for the export trade. All oriental countries and Australasia are favorable to our export trade. 1899 1890 Export. Import. Export. Import. Asia Yen. 90,849,987 50,137,945 66,286,923 2, 169, 921 2,550,559 3,434,560 Yen. 94,666,715 78,046,222 38,397,940 1,708,670 7,582,379 Yen. 16,466,701 15,713,468 20,844,251 795, 044 1,083,139 1,711,909 Yen. 27,845,838 40,285,811 6,900,190 334,239 6,362,603 Europe North America Australasia Sold to ships in ports Total 214,929,895 - 220,401,926 56,003,506 81,728,581 ■1901.J COMMEEGIAL JAPAIiT. 2255 . ^^^ largest trade is with Asia, and Japan has recovered her balance of trade there which she lost long ago. Europe is always furmshing supplies to Japan. The United States is very favorable to our country, and the excess of our exports to that country is great. The chief trade relations with important countries in important articles are: UNITED STATES, 1899. Exports to: Yen. Kice 1,571,408 Camphor 399,227 Silk handkerchiefs 1,329,191 Habutai 3,700,097 Kaiki 1,254,195 Matting 3,473,344 Tea 6,326,806 Sulphur 363,879 Silks 39,931,057 Straw braid 743, 641 Pottery 685,811 Imports from: Flour 1,333,676 Oil, petroleum 5,436,622 Kaw cotton 16,476,899 Locomotives 883,597 Iron nails 1,497,560 Tobacco 4,839,923 Cigarettes 407,922 ENGLAND. Exports to: Kice 2,226,042 Habutai 1,771,263 Silk handkerchiefs 674,772 Straw braid 1,507,918 Crude and sheet copper 1, 323, 048 Imports from: Soda 515,999 Cotton 4,935,667 CaUco 3,575,191 Cloth 489,463 Wool 494,993 Cotton, printed 1,369,230 Cotton satin 944,754 Satin 1,102,627 Iron ores 684,959 Iron plate 893,509 Iron bar 781,310 Wire '. 818,115 Coal.. :i 936,653 Vessels 3,070,701 Cotton-spinning machines 680, 276 Locomotives 973, 957 • CHINA. Exports to: Koubu : 909,191 Coal 5,406,894 Cotton, spun 22,911,535 Lumber 779,900 Matches 2,020,056 Umbrellas 479,418 Imports from: Pease and other beans 6, 666, 098 Kesidual product of oil 6, 047, 238 Eggs 823,088 Raw cotton 4,350,148 Hemp 611,024 Crude sugar 2,880,267 Wool 810,617 BRITISH INDIA. Exports to: Habutai 1,077,523 Matches ■- 807,642 Coal...: 1,686,539 Imports from: Dry indigo 796, 762 Kaw cotton 39,165,995 HONGKONG. Exports to: Yen. Eice 2,387,027 Cotton yarn .3,469,524 Matches 2,872,280 Leches 1,168,660 Habutai 2,273,305 Coal 4,018,615 Camphor 939,219 Crude and sheet copper 7, 944, 607 Imports from: Sugar 6,203,444 Crude sugar 852,224 GERMANY. Exports to: Eice 803, 380 Crude and sheet copper 1, 190, 017 Fish oil 314,273 Imports from: Sugar 1,863,453 Wool cloth 616,592 Aniline dyes 783, 411 Iron nails 657, 318 Wool 1,065,850 Liquors J 1,768,857 FRANCE. Exports to: Silks 19,183,785 Habutai 5, 925, 106 Silk"noshi" 829,372 Worsted silk 1,202,341 Imports from: Mousselinede laine 2,832,664 Wool thread 172,064 KOREA. Exports to: Cotton yarns 2,137,913 White cotton cloth 984,959 Calico 453,967 Imports from: Eice 1,689,909 Pease and other beans 2, 110, 847 Cow skins 408,200 FRENCH INDIA. Imports from: Eice 3,354,096 BELGIUM. Imports from : Plate iron 515,017 Bariron 1,564,710 Glass 1,165,480 ITALY. Exports to: Silks 2,851,108 AUSTRALASIA. Exports to: Eice 867,888 Habutai 316,312 Imports from: Wool 941,117 CANADA. Exports to: Tea 1,293,963 ASIATIC RUSSIA. Imports from: Petroleum 2,429,456 2256 OOMMBKCTAL JAPAIT. The United States and England have a variety of important articles to trad&, General Abhclbs, Import and Espqet, [DUCCMBBB) 1898 1896 IMPOST. Arms, clocks, waitehes, mstruments, apparatus, toola, and macMnery . Beverages and comestibles «.. Clotliing and accessories Drugs, chemicals, and medicines Dyes, colors, and paints Glassaudglassmanuiaetur.es „.. Grains and seeds Horns, ivory, skins, hair, shells, etc Metals and metal manufactures— iron and steel Metals.and metal manuiactures— others Oil and wax Paper and stationery Sugar Tissues, yarns, threads, and raw materials thereof: Cotton .,... Wool Silk Hemp, flax, and jute Other Tobacco. Wines, liquors, and spirits. Miscellaneous Ileim.ported ... Total Imports. EXPORT. Beverages and comestibles: Tea Grains Marine productions Others ; Clothing and accessories Drugs, medieimes, chemicals, dyes, and paints. Metals and metal manufactures Oil and wax Paper and paper manufactures , Skin, hair, shells, horns, etc Tissues, yams, etc.: Silk Cotton Others Tobacco Miscellaneous Eeexport Total export. Yen. 20,526,973 4,820,339 1,054,177 7,919,373 5,160', 594 917, 237 56,205,492 3,077,509 20,291,049 3,366,110 8, 553, 570 4,009,476 28,619,563 65,624,587 13, 069, 870 1,920,492 1,086,914 1,803,577 6, 628, 210 1,398,338 21,228, 278 217,270,729 231, 428 277,502,157 8,215,665 6,039,229 4,280,121 2,234,963 1,162,697 2,865,275 8,845,087 1,090,461 1, 371, 121 799,319 61,617,157 23,403,120 1,144,464. 184,725 39,649,809 162,908,212 2,850,541 reii. 12,674,606 2,473,740 947,126 4,273,145 3,710(898 774,710 9,669,437 2, 902, 854 14,815,622 2,737,921 7,105,694 1,937,330 13,858,844 55,788,354 18,268,460 1,543,520 1,463,266 3,200,842 843,340 790, 112 11, 684, 877 171,459,556 214, 918 171,674,474 6, 372, 329 8,118,081 3,864,899 1,920,268 913, 674 2,978,086 6,673,950 754, 658 1,020,712 682,765 44,236,111 6,736,202 1,165,830 245, 383 30,973,631 116,675,579 1,267,182 165,753,753 117,842,761 AKTICLES. Agricultural products Animal products Fishery or marine products Manure Mining and oil products Chemicals, dyes, and medicines. Food and drink Raw materials Manufactured goods Total. 1899 Export. Ten. 21, 074, 230 20,-759, 663 4,694,888 16,249,281 3,960,345 1,774,417 2,120,303 163, 220, 303 212,952,136 Import. Yen. 17,390,922 47,443 7,934,189 11, 999, 056 12,749,717 3,959,897 68,932,298 96,860,234 220,060,984 1897 Export. Yen. 15,688,030 4, 194, 892 13,062,416 2,903,996 1,081,079 1,660,657 122, 671, 624 161,469,312 Import. Yen. 29,746,747 73, 351 4,153,466 10,428,164 8,764,649 2, 730, 207 47,041,821 114, 948, 600 219,145,269 Imports. Agricultural products , Animals Fisheries Manure Mining and oil . Food and drink. Kaw materials . . Manufactured products. Grain, vegetables, tea . Tobacco leaf Seaweed, fish. All kinds. Coal, metal, and petroleum. "^ Food, other than grain, such as salt, sauce, etc . Cotton, feathers, bamboo, and timber Cotton, silk, textiles, clothing, several kinds of wares, soap, wax, pottery, glass, boots and shoes, fans and other ornamental goods, books, paper, matches, and miscellaneous. Grain, vegetables, tea. Coffee. Cattle, horses, etc. Wine and mineral water. Feathers, leather, bone, shell, ivory, cotton, wool, hair, stone. Cotton, silk, wool mixture of three textiles, wearing things, many kinds of wares, pottery, metal, paper, hemp, soap, wax, books, arms and dynamite, carriages and vessels, scientific machines and apparatus, and miscellaneous. "Iron and steel are mixed up -with raw and manufactured products, and in this figure include in the latter, amounting to 16,604,256 in 1899 and 16,845,454 in 1893 on items of import. 1901.) COMMEKCIAi JAPAir. 2267 ImPOETANT AktICLES CJLASSIFIia). ARTICLES. EXPORT. IKFOET. 1899 1893 1899 1893 Agricultural: Kioe Yen. 10,282,012 8,498,783 Yen. 5,001,158 7,420,371 Yen. 5,960,166 Yen. 3,254,842 Tea Flour i 1,383,540 8,822,111 641, 930 Peas 3,446,636 Marine; Aleee 780,009 1,862,068 939,419 1,426,782 Leecnes Manure: 6,791,813 599,893 Mining: 15,164,867 U, 383,358 1,754,496 - 3,288,843 2,033,820 1,308,611 Cliemioal: Alconolw . - - 2,060,800 174,186 Haw materials: Silk raw . .» ..>...>.........^. ...... 62,627,721 4,074,085 28,167,411 2,792,764 Cotton ... t . 62,210,717 4,324,427 965,544 6,088,004 2,603,677 3,139,141 i 16,294,838 Wool - - - 425,120 743,553 975,787 330,098 78,331,510 17,769,456 Manufactured articles:* 15,799,014 3,461,572 28,521,438 2,770,178 3,717,489 6,890,666 933,547 2,181,336 3,553,604 3,899,646 59,176 378,349 1,728,383 3,537,974 589,273 1,577,191 4,963,326 7,284,243 17,645,230 2» 903, 829 904,013 3,575,191 1,438,245 949,750 2,004,198 4,350,934 374,959 1,132,575 435,054 2,223,432 933,436 237,716 3,088,762 1,968,374 3,620,982 760,594 748,414 7,918,149 10,452,026 444,208 405,047 2, 315, 124 635, 903 855,998 801,408 2, 305, 505 1,389,714 1,489,305 667,108 887,790 484,086 2,960,211 1,912,013 1,680,273 8,202,549 232,344 257,857 4,401,041 " Raw silk and other threads and straw hraid may both be counted as raw material and manufactured articles, for there are many factories manufacturing caw silk from cocoons. Trade movements show that the country is bepoming more and more a manufacturing one, increasing in her imports of raw materials and machinery and decreasing in imports of manufactured goods, except sugar and petroleum, which are necessarily imported to a larger and larger extent with the increase of population, transportation, industry, trade, and the wealth, of the nation. The imports of raw eotton are enormous, but at the same time the export of the goods manufactured from it is equally great. The whole trade shows a general increase and is very prosperous. ABTICLE IV. CONCLUSION. The invention of the steam engines, and application of electricity, and the adaptation of mail facilities gave the world quick and easv communication, and western civiUzation is due very much to them. These facilities, especially in transportation, were the greatest nhenomena of the nineteenth century, giving opportunity for domestic industry and for transporting the products to market. The United States has grown in the midst of this exciting era, being born in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and has gradually developed, till at the present time she is the star of the world. Unfortunately these facilities reached Japan only at the middle of the century, and onlv now is she beginning to get into the partnership of civilization. Gradually the counti*/ has been adopting every means of cheapening Tiroduction and transportation, making the most intelligent use of her workmen instead of treating them as mere machines, evolving nlans and schemes of labor saving, discarding worn-out methods, adopting tools and machines suitable for special purposes, giving dose Rtudv to the best and most economical forms of power appUcable to the particular business, adopting the most effective means of fldvertisinc her productions, and generally keeping in the march of progress. Thus transportation, industry, and trade have flourished thp T)as=ed°few years in an extraordinary and perhaps unprecedented manner, and a continuance of this prosperity is anticipated with the rrtnio«t "confidence especially the development of the manufacturing industry, which, having a number of immense firms, is becoming more nrninent The increase of the wealth of the country is shown by the enormous increase of the budget of the country, which the people ^ stand for the payment of immense amounts of taxes, to feed the great standing army and to maintain the magnificent men-of-war. NUMEEICAL StEENGTH OF THE AeMY AND NaVY. Active service Reserved service Territorial service ---- Total "And 226,170 tonnage of fleet. Standing army (De- cember 31, 125,345 115,666 74,797 315,808 Navy (De- cember 31, 1899). 24,575 2,512 1,623 •28,710 2258 COMMEEOIAL JAPAF. [December, The constantly decreasing number of paupers, the increased deposits in savings banks and post-offices, the increased utility ot the bank system are evidences of the generally improved condition of the mass of the people. The figures show a great decrease in the number of convicts sentenced for negligence in paying their land taxes: YEARS. Persons. Amount. Nunber of bankrupt peasants. 1882 1,179 10,005 809 Ym. 1,402 2,65fi 613 1887 4,962. 1,203 1892 The source of this increase of wealth is the development of commerce and the eonsolidation of small scattered sums of money into incorporated enterprises. Just lately the tightness of the money market and the Chinese trouble had a mischievous effect on the industry of our country. But this should not be regarded as a symptom of economic retrogression, for new industries are being founded, improved on the old ones, which diminish our consumption of foreign merchandise. The economic movement is most actively reflected in the table of exports which shows a steady increase. There is no doubt that the productive power of the country is increasing, and therefore there is no basis for the pessimistic conclusion that the country is in a stagnant condition. Toillustratemore forcibly this expansion of forces, silk and manufactured goods will be named. The export of silk has more than doubled both in quantity and value, and the increase of Imports of raw materials demonstrate the fact that the country has achieved real economic progress, both in consumption and production. The immense and yearly increasing imports of raw materials, such as cotton, wool, hides, iron, steel, etc., absolutely necessary for manufacturing industries, which they could not possibly do without, show the great development of the industry of the_ country. Though the country is very dependent on foreign countries for her supplies of raw materials, yet they are her markets for her industrial productions. The tendency is for the country to become a manufacturing one, toward which it is progressing favorably. The rise of the price of coal and iron shows its development, whereas agriculture seems less promising and will doubtless for many reasons remain comparatively stationary, as it is in England, although the country has mighty forests, large rivers, great lakes, mountain ranges, broad, high prairies, fertile valleys, and inexhaustible mines and fisheries. It is difficult to state accurately the progress of the commerce of the country, but if it be compared with that of the world I am sorry to say the country is still in its infancy. The supply of coal, which is the motive power of manufacturing, though small compared with European countries, yet exceeds the home demand, and this shows the need of more manufacturing industry, although the home demand for coal is greatly increasing. The entire State expenditure, though in fact not more than the expenditure of the city of Paris, is. still a little too heavy a burden upon the people, and caused the recent economic troubles. The mines of gold, silver, copper, nickel, iron, and coal are only beginning to be developed. Chapter III. FURTHER OBSERVATIOlSrS. As I have stated in previous chapters on the history and the present condition of commerce, Japan is still in need of economic study in regard to future development — the necessity, possibility, and consideration of the interchange of articles whose production is thus so enormously increased. Geographical location, natural facility of transportation, etc., are worthless unless they are utilized. ABTICIE I, TBANSFOBTATIOK. « The subject of transportation is one of the most important in the whole field of economic investigation. With the improvement of home navigation the movements of trade have also improved. In 1898, 21 per cent of total trade of the country was carried by Japanese vessels, against 7.6 per cent in 1894 and 0.02 per cent about twenty years ago. The improvement is wonderful; but on the other hand this fact plainly shows not only that navigation is not fully developed, but that it is insufficient to serve the country. The improvement of navigation is the most urgent demand of the country. At the time of the civil war the United States lost her power in navigation, having stopped her subsidy policy, but lately she has regretted her loss, and in March, 1891, Congress revived the policy, and the country has recovered most rapidly her trade and power on water. Japan has taken up the subsidy policy, having paid 2,673,894 yen on her European lines; 654,030 yen on the Seattle line, and ■ 1,013,880 yen on the San Francisco line. The most important form of subsidy is by postal contracts for mail service by quick steamers, though it is frankly acknowledged that other important objects are kept in view throughout, such as the indirect advantages that would accrue to trade, the coveted means of favoring home industries, and the privilege of using the ships as cruisers in time of war. The charters of navigation companies speak accurately on the latter subject, but in fact only one steamer was used as a cruiser in the Chino- Japanese war, and this one caused undeniable hindrance to action in the battle on account of its lack of speed and other defects. So far, the facilities of navigation are increasing sufficiently fast, but there is no encouragement given to the subject of auxiliary cruisers by which steamers are used for transportation service in peace and for cruisers in war, as seen in the Canadian Pacific, the French Mail, the German Lloyd, and lines of all other strong companies. A navy is to encourage commerce in time of peace and protect it in time of war. Japan has improved her naval power wonderfully since the war, but yet it is necessary to continue its progress to secure the balance of power as well as her commercial interests. A system of auxiliary cruisers would be beneficial and economical to the country; it would decrease the expense of the navy and at the same time give great facilities and improvements in navigation, and also encourage the marine interests. . . _ For the advantage of navigation the improving of ports is also demanded. Breakwaters or dikes for safety of anchorage to protect against gales, piers constructed of iron and steel at which vessels may receive and discharge their passengers and cargoes, abolishing the tardy movement of goods in lighters, and docks for repairs must all be provided. The iron and steel industry must be established and encouraged. These are the most important matters to consider. If these are not in complete shape natural facilities will never give permanent benefit. Owing to the lack of good docks in the country, all vessels hurry to Shanghai for repairs^ As the means of communication develop, bringing nearer the relations of countries, competition in trade'becomes more active, and prompt shipments are a great advantage to trade. The reason of the supreme power of England on water is her farsighted improvement in shipbuilding, using steel instead of wood, employing steam engines instead of sails, thus paying regard to speed. The improvement of ocean transportation Ues in the direction of larger vessels of rapid movement; competition is always to the advantage of the vessel of large capacity and speed. Japan's trade is increasing by strides unparalleled in her history, and her lines of steamships are running to all ■1901.] COMMBECIAL JAP^Jif. 2259 important parts of the world, but the improvement in transportation is not equal to that of trade. Merchants are paying an enormous percentage of their profits to alien vessels for carrying their cargoes, and other nations are making every effort to keep our vessels out of this lucrative field. This fact is due to our small number of large ships, their slow speed and small number of trips. To have our own freight service is essential to the proper increase of our trade. Of course it seems ridiculous to bxiild large vessels of great speed when the cargoes are not sufficient, but, as stated above, the tendency of the world is to build large vessels with sufiScient speed, for it is -penny wise and pound foolish to try to compete with small capacity and less speed, although it would be cheaper. No nation can be prosperous without good inland transportation. The general advantage of railroads to our country is well shown in the development of the interior and the mcrease of freight carried. In the last twenty years there has been an increase of railroads of 4,822 per cent in mileage, due mainly to the growing prosperity of the country, but also in part to the individual efforts of those concerned in the management of the railways. Railroads, it goes without saying, as a means of defense, finance, and economics, are the most important media of the progress of a country. The way to utilize these media is to build them all over the country with the latest improvements, cheapening the cost of transportation and giving quick delivery of products in the markets. Compariiog Japan's with the railroads of the United States and Europe per capita, per mile, and also with traffic, I am sorry to say the fact is our railways do not compare favorably with the railroads of those countries. Suggestion as to the improvement of -railways is very hard to make without a knowledge of civil engineering. The social, political, and economical significance of this subject will be greater in the future than now, and the country feels it. Eailway councils have been appointed, composed not only of representatives of the various government departments, and the army and navy, but also of prominent representatives of commercial interests, of the learned and practical men of the country, and their earnest effort and efficiency, no doubt, will improve the system. Let me mention some things here; 1. The removal of the law of maximum price, which is fixed the same all over the country, is needed. It would be extremely difficult to make a general law for large and small towns, since the development of business varies radically in different districts. The manager of each company wants to have the largest amount of net income by the increase and decrease of the fare. The formula is (x— c) dy— y dx=0 (Hadley). Let the companies decide what is best to be done under proper control by the Government, allowing them a reasonable rate of profit and preventing them from injustice to the people. 2. Rails ought to be improved, together with the improvement of engines, their si)eed, and also increase of traffic. Improvement has been made; steel rails have been substituted for iron, but the 60-poxmds-per-yard rail was used from the beginning and is still used, while the weight of engines increased from 22 tons to 80 or 85 tons and the speed from 14 (in Government) to sometimes 50 miles per hour. With the improvement of rails the roadbed and ballast ought to be studied by specialists. The rock ballast is used in the United States railroads, and the drainage of the road is well provided for, which is very important to keep the tracks in good order. 3. Tracks: The single-track system is almost inadequate to meet the growing demands. Double tracks, or quadruple tracks,should be more generally used for quick delivery of goods and also for safety from collision and other accidents. 4. Water supply: The country has an immense number of rivers and abundant water, and therefore the method of getting water supply from the track while the train is running should be used, which will certainly save time and also work of the manager. Often it is the case that trains stop 'for a long time to fill their tanks. 5. Scarcity of locomotives and cars : The number of locomotives and cars per 100 square miles is very small compared with the United States and England, as follows, in 1896: Engines. Passenger cars. Freight ears. Japan United States England 26.3 19.8 87 100 184 275 366.4 718 2,907 While the hauling power of mileage per one year is: Japan United States, England Engines. 21,621 20,318 18,170 29,783 16, 375 15,826 Freight ears. 770 529 533 So more cars should be used, although in the passenger traffic the character is entirely different, as one small car carries -80 third-class passengers, while in the United States such a car carries about 30. 6. Much has been said about the improvement of stations — lack of storerooms; but I may say that the improvement of yards should be preferred, in order to shift the freight cars according to distance and importance. 7. It is advisable to abolish the uniform classification of freight by the Government, because where .there is competition by water, lines handling heavy and bulky goods should be classified differently from those lines where there is no competition. The kind and location of goods to be carried should also be considered; therefore the classification on freight ought to be fixed by each different line. 8. Division of labor: The road should be divided into parts, and superintendents should be appointed for the divisions, to whom supreme power should be given over the tributaries to it, and under whom the engineer, the supervisor, etc., would each have his own share of work. 9. There should be established a society or club of employees in order to improve themselves as in the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation of the Pennsylvania Railroad, instead of continuing to employ unprogressive but cheaper men. Of course the standard gauge might be preferable from the point of efficiency, but the expense would not allow it at present. But I hope that when a new construction of railroad is undertaken there shall be some preparation for wide gauge when needed. The subject of State purchase of railways was the most exciting question in 1899. The twelfth Congress of the country thoroughly discussed the matter and finally decided to let it remain as it was. But this question can not be said to havedisappeared entirely, for the railroad history recalls that the subject was repeated three times in 1881, when the first private railway corporation came into existence. There was great agitation for State ownership, not only among those who are interested in railways, but in every quarter of the country, but private ownership won. In 1890, when the industrial disturbances occasioned by the great earthquakes made the railroads unpros- perous, their purchase Isy the Government was urged to rescue them from the panic. The Government refused and won its struggle. In 1893, when the railroads were very prosperous, everybody began to talk about improving the means of transportation, and complaint arose of the management of the State road, which was about 376 mUes long. The insufficiency of the funds of the Government was the cause of this agitation in favor of transferring all railways to private corporations. The railroad association opposed. The^jopular reasons of the advocates of State ownership were: 1. As a part of one consistent scheme of national defense; by army officers. 2. Simplification of freights, together with greater uniformity and cheapness, preventing unreasonable discrimination; by 3. To develop the whole country's resources, so that those places which would otherwise be left without means of transportation ahould be helped by the paying portion of the lines and the public should be generally benefited; by country. gentlemen. 2260 COMMEECIAL JAPAIT. [Decbmbeb, 4. Feared that foreigners might come into poasesaon of the railways, unleaa Govemmemt secures them; by rfiorfc-sighted non- economists. 5. Good fiscal policy; by treasury oflaceis. 6. Lai^e combinaliona of industry under one management ar6 benefidal to the community; by nonstockholders. 7. Remedy of scarcity of busineaa capital or tightness of money market; secured by foreign loan; by self-interested money wanter. 8. Competition of private railways favor large towns; by country gentlemen. I am sorry to state that it has been suspected from the outset that many of the so-caUed advocates of State ownership were the motive power in the movement, and published stories for the purpose of " rigging" the market. The feilure of the party of State ownership in 1899 was due to the insufficiency of their method of purchase, and in consequence of the lack of funds in the Government. I am of the opinion that the railroads should be kept in their present state and am glad of the dedsion of the Gongre®. 1 may oppose it if in the future the case occurs again: 1. In Germany and France, whose boundary lines are contiguous, the State ownership of railroads is entirely necessary, but in Japan, being weU protected from invasion, as I have said in the introduction, it woidd be better to leave the matter to private corporations. 2. Of course cheap rates would give increased commercial activity, but often govermnents utilize the railroad revenues for the deficit of the public finance; therefore the cheapening of the rates may never come. 3. If the country had plenty of revenue, it would be possible; otherwise it would increase the burden, of the people; better give some special privileges to private companies, 4. If the Government has proper control or regulation over them, there is no fear of their going into the possession of foreigners; if not, it is desirable that they shotdd, if improvements would result from their better management. 5. A merely fiscal policy is in conflict with Nos. 2 and 3, and also it is doubtful whether the Government is wise enough to manage as well as private business men. , 6. Large combinations of industrial organization are good for any business, but private companies could combine most effectively under circumstances where the locality is favorable. ^ 7. I am in favor of the purchase of private railroads by the Government if a foreign loan can be secured low enough, but to buy up all private railroads at a fair and just figure is impossible. The only way is to buy them in the daily market, fixing the maximum price on the Government side. As to the importation of foreign money, it is desirable not only to improve railroads, but also industry and trade, but when it comes to this question the country must show to lenders prosperity and safe security, which is now lacking in the country; the only way is to improve industry and make the country prosperous, and this wiU naturally cause an inflow of foreign money. 8. Competition among private railroads, etc. : The most striking influences of the growth of railroads are ^en in the concentration of people in cities. The cities are growing larger and larger, although the small town is growing year by year, especially fast where the factories are. Competition is a good thing for the community if it is not "cutthroat." The best enterprises have been constructed entirely by individuals. This gives mental education, a mode of strengthening their active faculties, of exercising the judgment, and better improvements of the road because of self-inter^t and of competition. This would avoid the great evil of adding nnnece^arily to the power of the government. Mill says: "To avoid dass feeling, which is the great evil of society, and to give equal opportunity to all fellow-citizens who are fit to use it, and to avoid increasing the burden of government obligations is the wisest plan." President Hadley says: "Government management involves corruption unless the civil sen'ice is improved. Therefore let us have private railroads." Postal, telegraph, and telephone systems are in a sufficiently good condition, although many complain of misdeliveries. It can not be stated here as to the utility of telegrams in trade, for the statistics do not distinguish the number of public, private, and merchants' dispatches and receipts. An enormous amount was collected in the telegraph office, but the fact is that almost all of it was for political and diplomatic uses and very little for trade purposes. I hope that the country merchants will utilize this facility more and more, and with quick communication take advantage on their sales. ABTICLE n. INDUSTRY. The nation as a whole has held the physiocratic doctrine and has thought the only proper way is to cultivate the land in rice and other agricultural products. Difierent conditions in differait districts, as weather favorable to one crop and unfavorable to others, produce a variety of crops, but rice is generally a good crop everywhere. The food of the people is mainly rice, and this rice crop was thought the only source of growth of the country. The majority (about 70 per cent of the people) is classed as farmers or peasants, as compared with 40 per cent in the United States and 15 per cent in England. This great amount of agricultural products is of great importance to the workmen, whose comfort and family happiness are largely due to the price of rice. On account of the lack of funds among the agriculturists, the method of cultivation, the implements used, and the manures are not sufficiently studied, although great improvements have been made. These agricultural producte have only one harvest in a year, and they depend on escaping the annual storm, which usually occurs at the change of the season from summer to autumn, when rice is blooming. This storm often destroys considerable products, and the labor which they spend with a hope of a good harvest return is gone without compensation. So our agriculturists should study all the scientific appliances in use in western countries, as manures, latest implements for labor saving, and should utilize the machinery for obtaining a water supply instead of depending on the water afforded by rivers about which they struggle when dry weather comes; and they should also give attention to controlling the river flood. The recent rise of prices gave prosperity to farmers, but the total production for years has remained almost stationary, and the area under cultivation also has not changed, showing that the stage of increasing returns has already reached its maximmn, and almost all cultivatable places have been touched with the plow and are getting into the stage of diminishing returns. But the increase of population is enormous, about 400,000 being added yearly, and therefore most of the arable land must be devoted to the production of food stuffs; the country must strive to establish manufactures and endeavor to export largely and receive raw materials and food stuffs in exchange. Even now the country has to import a part of its food supply, and the physiocratic doctrine has gone out of existence for us. But the maintenance of home agriculture is, from a military point of view, most necessary in order not to be entirely dependent on a foreign food supply, although a blockade of the whole country IS inconceivable. Economically, also, agriculture, especially of the mulberry tree and the tea plan^ should be studied and improved'. The great factor of our safety is an improved method of transportation which would enable us to produce rice and other crops where they can be raised to greatest advantage, creating new areas of cultivation which no appUcation of capital and labor can otherwise overcome. Prof. Mayo Smith says: "The grand fact indicated by the statistics of agriculture and of agricultural production is that Europe is depending more and more upon new countries for its bread, meat, and the raw materials of manufactures. In 1890 41 per cent of the imports of Great Britain consisted of articles of food and drink; 30 per cent of raw materials of manufactures. England is supplied with food and raw material by new countries, while it employs its labor in turning out manufactured goods which it exchanges for them. From 1852 to 1859 Great Britain produced three-fom'ths of the wheat it consumed. In 1889-90 it produced only 31 per cent of what it consumed and imported the remainder. England gets two-thirds of its wheat supply from abroad, all its cotton, most of its wool, and a great deal of its iron ores. ' ' The great fertile plains of North America, South America, Australasia, and Russia have become the world's producers of grain and provisions and are increasing their demand for textiles, while Japan stands ready with her silk and tea. Africa tenders its gold, diamonds, ivory, and native tropical products, all of which are required by the great manufacturing centers of the United States and Europe, which can give in exchange their manufactures of cotton, wool, silk, iron, and steel. Thus commerce is constantly increasing its volume by its own activity, The advantages of industry and trade depend upon the principle of division of labor. Each locality in general produces that which it can produce to the best advantage cheaper than others, and each country should prefer what is most profitable to it. Japan can be turned from rice growing to an industrial country and the production of silk and tea, which are so much in demand the world over. This would be advantageous to Japan because she would make a greater profit by this exchange, 1901.] COMMEECIAL JAPAN. 2261 and all sorts of labor would beTnore productive and would command more real wealth. Owing to natural advantage of situation and to facilities for obtaining abundant supplies of raw materials, both at home and from abroad, the policy of manufacturing is by far the most advantageous to the country. Moreover, rice is not the general food of Europe and the United States, and their supplies of rice in Europe come from Calcutta, 45,700 tons; Siam, 37,401 tons, and Erench Indo-China, Burma, 716,000 tons; Saigon, 160,619 tons in 1896, which countries have an advantage over Japan in the cost of transportation and in quick delivery. The only place for export is to China, but there are immense rice fields in China, producing immeasurable crops and promising to export all their surplus when the present trouble is over.^ British India, French India, and Java are also great rice-producing countries, and the United States would come to produce it if other countries demanded it by an increase of consumption which would warrant an increase of production. Still more, the agriculture of the country is unlike that of the United States, where large amounts of capital are invested and the most improved machines are used and the fields are cultivated by many laborers, by which the division of labor is utilized as in factories. In Japan agriculture is conducted on a very small scale, most of the farmers cultivating by themselves, getting just enough products to support their families. Again, the country has a supply of natural water power in the mountains and rivers which can be easily conveyed in the form of electricity to accessible points for use in manufacturing, affording opportunity for the skillful and energetic workmen using the latest machinery. In every point of view the profits of manufacturing are steadier than the cultivation of rice, which largely depends on rain and wind. Then, is not manufacturing preferable and most suitable for the permanent development of the country's economy? Let us observe the relative importance. I. The silk industry will naturally come first. The difference of food for the silk worm, land, and climate produces different kinds of cocoons. Mr. Fukazawa, one of the most experienced authorities, states: "(a) From the leaves of t-ither very young or very old trees: Lands distant from the ocean, having a dry hot climate with few fogs, when a chlorate fertilizer is used will produce easily good, elastic, bright cocoons, but in small quantities. "(6) From the leaves of young trees on newly cultivated land: Lands near the ocean, having a moist, cold climate with heavy fogs, where a carbonate fertilizer is used, will produce hardy, fat cocoons, in good quantity, but not good quality. "It is impossible to get perfect cocoons. The manufacturer ought to select that kind most suitable for his own business." Japan as a whole, in its climate and location, is suitable for the production of the latter kind, although it produces different kinds in summer and spring. Thus Japan has its peculiarity m the cheaper qualities, which the United States and European continents are not able to produce, and the consumption of silk in the world has a tendency toward cheaper quality; that is, the people of the United Stp^tes and Europe are beginning to use silk dresses for general wear, and the use of goods of high quality has begun to decrease. The only competing countries are France, Italy, Switzerland, and China, but Japan's cheapness of production defies all competition, so in France the manufacturers can not continue their work imless the Government gives enormous subsidies or bounties, amounting to ?2, 000, 000 a year, or |100 per 100 pounds. This cheapness was not due to competition, but to the depreciation of prices, which was caused by our Japanese merchants selling silk goods without a knowledge of the quotations of gold and silver. When gold appreciated the nominal price in silver was larger in our market, while the New York price remained the same, and in fact our merchants sold goods under value. Thus, the price of silk was lowered, while the consumers of silk are increasing year by year. This is in contrast to the law of demand and supply. Nevertheless, this is the actual condition; yet it is not too late to cure this evil by better management among silk dealers. II. Heretofore raw silk was exported and thought to be the most stable manufactured commodity. Silk clothing or spun silk was exported to the amount of only several thousand dollars in 1887, but in 1899 the export was — 1899 1896 Silk fatrics Yen. 15,799,014 1,451,952 3,461,572 Yen. 7,052,217 233,808 4,617,720 SUk handkerchiefs Total 20,712,538 U, 90S, 746 24 per cent of the total silk export of 86,116,096 yen in 1899. This comes next to spun cotton, and is about three times as large as the export of tea, 7,699,625 yen. This would be the most important export article in a few years if proper improvement were made, because the country has plenty of raw materials near at hand. It has skillful laborers, and also the people have an intelligent idea of -design. In fact, all the conditions are advantageous to this industry, it having no large competing fields in Europe and America. III. The future of cottoji yarn, matches, straw braid, matting, the porcelain and pottery industries looks most promising, as is evident from the increasing amount of yearly production and the growth of exports. ARTICLES. '1887 1895 1898 1899 Yen. Yen. Yen. 1,034,479 4,672,811 1,387,643 3,461,370 1,955,060 964,690 Yen. 28,521,438 6,890,666 2,770,178 3,717,489 2,181,336 1,357,626 7,699,625 941,577 350,450 36,296 1,311,901 226,742 5,761,175 1,843,637 193,776 666,123 1,287,026 418,549 6,526,051 Straw braids i ....;. Pottery The demand for cotton yarn, matches, and pottery will be greater when peace with China is declared, since these industries are supplied to that country with raw materials most advantageously. Recently the exportation of porcelain and earthenwares to all parts of the world, especially to the United States and China, has increased, not only those of original styles, but of all kinds. Imitated styles for parlor ornaments can be seen in almost every house in the United States. The merchants are trying to produce lighter colors, which would be appreciated, being much cheaper than American and European made, although its frailty would lessen its general use. If it could be made lighter in color and more substantial it would be more profitable to the merchants as well as to the consumers. The number of paper'^factories will be very large, because there is future promise for their growth. IV. Besides industries for export, there are many important industries which would meet domestic demands; such as brushes, soap woolen goods, clocks and watches, and would diminish imports, especially in woolen goods. In 1897 the import of wool was 1 062 398 yen but increased to 4,324,427 yen in 1899, while the importation of manufactured goods decreased from 9,479,719 yen in 1897 to 8 202 750 yen in 1899. The importation of clocks and watches has increased from 687,734 yen in 1892 to 3,298,295 in 1898, and decreased to 455,559 yen in 1899. The cleverness of workmen in reproducing articles is promising for the future of exports to China and other Oriental countries. . ,, , , j • j j. It would be too tedious to enumerate the various other branches of industry. jjQ^g^.gj. ^jjg future of manufacturing is assured, though it is still in its infancy, as can be seen in the small demand for coal in the country and the retrogression of lacquer ware manufacturing, which goods were once exported to Europe and America to the amount of more than a million yen. But the heat on the voyage melted the glue in the ware, and when used with hot»water the whole thing was spoiled aLttd now the export is only to Oriental countries. This subject is not one for pen and ink discussion, but for practical improve- No. 6 17 2262 OOMMEEOIAL JAPAN. [Dkcjembeb, ments. Manufacturing needs complicated machinery, and the more the industry improves with the increase of invention of labor-saving machinery the more is there need of highly skilled laborers, who know, at least, the movements of machinery and its processes. Our day laborers at present are personally good for little, but labor is the greatest and most important factor of the wealth of a country. It is worth while to study how to improve the condition of the laborers, to increase the standard of intelligence among them, and to give them industrial education and make them fully acquainted with the work, and thus increase their usefulness; otherwise the factory would become a place where the ignorant and the lower class would be gathered and industry would retrograde; pauperism would increase and finally destroy all the resources of the country. As to the betterment of industrial conditions, industrial improvement, and the elevation of workingmen, Mr. Victor H. Olmsted gives some very interesting summaries in the United States: "1. Club organizations, in which employees are banded together for social, educational, recreative, and other purposes incident to such associations. "2. The encouragement of physical culture by means of gymnasiums, calisthenics, base ball, bicycle, and similar exercises. ' ' 3. The improvement of intellectual conditions by means of free lectures, libraries, kindergartens, and educational classes. "4. The increasing of industrial efficiency through industrial schools and manual-training classes. "5. The advancement of spiritual life by means of Sunday schools and general religious work — ^making people moral and creating intellectual aspiration. "6. The cultivation of musical taste and ability by means of concerts and musical entertainments for employees, and the encouiagement of musical clubs and organizations among them. "7. Promotion of improved social conditions by means of social gatherings, summer outings, meeting places, and game rooms for employees, banquets, dances, etc. "8. Profit sharing with employees. "9 The promotion of the personal interest of employees in the successful conduct TDf the business by encouraging and assisting them to purchase shares in it, thus, in effect, taking them into partnership. "10. The improvement of domestic conditions by means of improved dwellings, instruction in sewing, cooking, and housekeeping, and in landscape and kitchen gardening, and the exterior and interior decoration of homes. "11. The care for employees' health and comfort by means of bathing facilities, dining and lunch rooms, the furnishing of hot lunches to female employees, and by improved sanitary construction and appliances. "12. The care of sick and disabled employees and their families by means of free insurance, free medical attendance or hospital facilities, and by the encouragement of beneficial organizations. "13. The cultivation of thrift through savings-bank facilities, building associations, or provident organizations, and by the giving oi prizes for valuable suggestions of employees and rewards for faithful service or the manifestation of zealous interest in their employment. "14. The rendering of financial aid to employees in case of hardship, or distress. "15. The manifestation of interest in the personal affairs of individual employees, the cultivation of cordial and even confidential relations with them, and the promotion of their welfare in all possible ways." These are worthy of general adoption. As to the improvement of industry, this would naturally follow from competition with other strong countries. Then the great economical subjects to be studied are the effect on wages, profits, and improvement of laborers. The defects in the manufacturing industry of our country at present are^ — 1. Factory: (a) Insufficiency of ventilation, as in our printing, tobacco, textile, rug, match, and iron factories; (6) lack of space, as in factories of large employment, as in matches, bookbinding, tobacco factories, etc.; (c) too small entrances, often resulting in blockades in cases of panics; (d) narrowness and disorder of gateways in factories; (e) uncleanness of dining, resting, bathing, and toilet rooms. 2. Machinery: (a) Leaking of poisonous gas; (6) the insufficient care of dangerous chemicals; (c) imperfect arrangement in regard to dust; (d) carelessness in handling machines; (e) lack of protection or remedy against accidents by machmery; (/) imperfect methods of fireproofing; (g) unsafe lanterns or light. 3. Laborers: (a) Difference in hours of labor; (6) difference in wages on extra work; (c) lack of uniformity in recess hours; (d) work in recess hour; (e) no limit as to age; (/) no limit on hours for child laborers; {g) no system of instruction for child laborers; (/t) depending too much on foreman as to the laborers, employment, discharge, and wages; (i) no by-law on compensation for damages when discharged; ( j) food and goods given as payment; {k) imperfect system for the care of the sick and the injured among laborers; (Z) no regulation as to assistance on the death of laborer while at work; (m) mixture of male and female workers; (n) no supervision over apprentices; (o) no regulation about the running away of employees; (^) many defects in the method of securing employees by commission; (5) no penalties for damage of machinery or other things by the bad intention of employees. 4. The articles produced: (a) The variety of quality, caused by the lack of large factories and by small capital; (6) cheap quality, lack of capital investment, which does not allow the factory to buy machinery with the latest improvements; (c) uncertainty of time of contract. This is also caused by the lack of large factories. All factories which exist to-day are on a small scale, except a few in cotton spinning and a few others, and they buy their raw materials with, the money just got from the sale of goods, and never look forward to improvements, but seek merely the present small profit, and can not even repair machinery. When a large order comes the merchants can not meet it because there is no factory large enough. The only thing for the merchant to do in this case is to go round to several other small factories and get their help, which from the difficulties in finance or other economical circumstances often can not fill their orders at the proper time. Nor do they care very much about their promises; therefore there is no confidence, for -if there comes any higher bidder for the ordered goods they are easily tempted to sell, (d) In finished goods they can not follow the fashions. All sorts of luxurious things have usually a fashion. Without a cultivated taste the manufacturer can not anticipate the coming fashions abroad, and therefore can not make any new design, but must weave just according to the foreign order. So to meet this the managers or designers ought to read art magazines and newspapers, and go often to the countries with which they deal and study for themselves. Generally the mode of remedying the above four defects is to establish large factories, put in the latest machinery, employ good managers, keep the firm in good order, contract for sufficient raw materials, and produce the best possible quality, which then can be sold by samples. The economic principle of the relation between production and consumption is: The more we produce, the cheaper we can sell; the larger, therefore, the consumption. Ah increase in the demand provides more hands with work, at higher wages, and conseauently results in a further increase in the consuming capacity of the nation; and this again leads to a further opportunity for extension of production. The tendency to concentrate business organization finds expression in our country. The (Government holds an absolute monopoly in the sale of camphor and tobacco in all its forms. The word "trust" has not become hateful, and the subject is popularly discussed. Thus the concentration of capital and production on a large scale will be the system of our future. As it is, very many of the smaller units have disappeared and are all in favor of further amalgamation. The result of the organization of trusts and the establishment of the syndicate system has been to cheapen production, to control and maintain profitable prices of the output, to give advantage to laborers with the greatest possible saving of materials, to apply newest machinery and newest technical improvements, and to improve the quality of the product in order to get more consumers; for competition allures by the prospect of gains, gives confi- dence to the producers. Large organizations of capital enable better managers to be obtained by giving better salaries, and this enables these organizations to offer strong inducements to commerce_ and to increase the future greatness of industry and trade. But for the good order of the community there is need of public supervision and control. There are many agricultural institutions for study and investigation, but there are no institutions for the investigation of industry. The establishment of an institution of this kind, which would undoubtedly be of great benefit to manufacturers, is expected. Germany, for instance, has spent considerable money for this purpose, shows great improvement. The exports of minerals are increasing very rapidly, as coal, copper, etc. ; they are important products of the country, and their laborers would be improved by the better system which I have described. Combinations would also be expected in this line. 1901.] COMMEECIAL JAPAlf. 2263 Fertilizers were imported to the amount of 7,934,189 yen in 1899. If improvements were made in our marine interests these enormous imports would be superseded by our own country, as the country is located most advantageously for' securing fertilizers, and it has good customers for them in its near neighbors. This industry would be great in the future, and would have a great influence on the wealth of the country, for the natural field is very great and the product is exhaustless. The only thing needed is encouragement from the Government. AETICLE III. TSADE. Trade is the result of differences in comparative cost of producing the articles traded in, though- this law is limited by the natural hindrances to trade and the competition of different countries. A country derives great advantages from foreign trade, which is in one point of view a development of the division of employments, and is at once a cause and an index of civilization. Questions of trade are every day becoming more prominent in Japan as well "as political questions, of Oriental diplomacy, and they occasionally even overshadow political ones. Competition for the world's markets' must necessarily become keener aa the struggle for existence becomes more severe. The means to secure this trade must be carefully considered by the state and individuals, and are already being carried out with method and zeal on all sides. _ Not only are almost all commodities of our country transported in foreign vessels, but the trade of the country is also carried on by foreign merchants. More than 67 per cent of our exports and imports in 1898 were by foreign merchants. AVhy, having the best location, in the center of the Oriental trade, with the best facilities, can not we conduct our own merchandising? Of course trade never exists without the development of internal and external transportation and industry. Now, it is the chief duty of our people and the Govern- ment to investigate this matter; for the country has already many customers in the United States and Europe, and it ought to control the Oriental trade. Let us observe the trading power of the Orient and of other countries with which our trade is not yet very active. 1. China in a few years, whether division of that country takes place or Russia controls it or the country stands independent, will be a great customer for our copper, marine products, pottery, matches, cotton goods, and silk; and in payment we can get food and other supplies. The demand which China will make upon us will be the greatest she makes on the world, because she has over 400,000,000 population. Many lines of railway are going to be built, giving facilities for transportation, and the present trouble will surely result in the introduction of modem civilization. The more she develops, the more will be the demand for our products. The relation between China and Japan is very similar to that between the United States and England, or perhaps we have a greater advantage because of nearness and the larger population in China. 2. Trade with eastern Russia will also become great in the future. Our imports of her abundant crops and meats and her general demands on Japan for manufactured goods in payment will be very great. 3. The trade of Korea is already in our hands, but needs more development. 4. With the Philippines, Sumatra, Annam, Siam, and the neighboring islands trade will be great in exchanging silk goods, fans, pottery, copper, and coal, for which we will get sugar, hemp, etc., for these countries usually exceed in exports; so there is opportunity to increase our exports of manufactured goods. 5. British Australasia is still in process of development, having about 8,000,000 square miles, with near 4,973,900 population, and is going to be very prosperous. Japan will be able to exchange her tea, silk and other manufactured goods with that country for wool and other luxuries. Great attention must be paid to Australasian trade, for it has great promise. YEARS. Exports. Imports. 1883 Yen. 438,000,000 535,000,000 575,000,000 765,000,000 Yen. 91,000,000 32,000,000 228,000,000 668,000,000 1887 1891 . . 1898 6. India: England controls everything; but India needs our cotton goods, pottery, wood ware, and copper in exchange for raw cotton, salt, and pine and oak lumber. 7. New York and Boston trade: The Nicaragua Canal would reduce the cost of transportation from Japan to jSevv- York and Boston by about 30 per cent; for the charge by railroad is five times greater than ship transportation, though the latter takes a longer time. 8. The southern United States cotton and v.'heat would come to China and other Oriental countries, and on their return trips the ships could carry our silk, tea, and other manufactured commodities at reduced rates to American markets. Also the vessels from Europe to the Orient would take the route by way of the United States, and Japan would become their Oriental terminus; and if our comitry should have good docks andshipyards she would be the place for repairs, coaling, etc., and thus our trade would become more prosperous and our coal trade would be great. Ow ing to the great attraction of Oriental commerce, competition for that trade will become greater, and commerce will concentrate in the most convenient places. As the greatest market is in the East, the East will attract the merchant fleets of all nations. Its favorable situation at the starting point of an important line of transport will undoubtedly cause Japan to flourish. It is a proud and high duty to bring our country to the center of this great Oriental trade of the whole world. I would like to add two more suggestions before the conclusion. The important thing in foreign trade is to gain intimate acquaint- ance with the ciistomers; to know their tastes and discover the articles which they cannot produce, or the high cost of production of which forbid them to compete. If nothing better offers, let our consular officers go into business circles and endeavor to find in foreign ports new outlets for the products of our country, and seek to develop the trade already existing. For instance, Japan can make handsome bonnets, but does not know how to meet the requirements of faahi6n in the United States and Europe. Therefore the bright and active consul abroad, with a perfect knowledge of foreign wants, tastes, and methods, is necessary. Another very important and necessary thing is to give the people technical and business education. Through lack of this education merchants are not trustworthy, delaying the date of orders, changing contracts, selling things ordered to other and higher bidders, and often furnishing goods of lower quality. Hence our merchants can not sell goods by samples. England made great progress in business by her sales by samples. So sales by samples ought to be made in our foreign trade, and we should transact business in foreign markets with the prices fixed on the samples. AETICLE IV. CONCLUSION. The world's statistics show that where there are great facilities of transportation industry and trade fiourish. Where industry is prosperous transportation and trade are very active, and where trade is steady the other two improve; the three are always supplementary to one another. One feature is not prosperous without the others. The better the improvement of transportation the easier the communication, the more benefit to industry and trade. The more improvement in industry the more production, the more increase of trade the less will be the cost of transportation. The opening of the Suez Canal brought European civilization fully to the Orient. The great chain of railway through Siberia, and the Nicaragua Canal, which will be completed within the next few years, will bring more commercial prosperity to the Orient. Japan will become the great battlefield for the world's commerce, both for the termini of foreign trade routes from Europe to the United States and for the trade itself. The importance of internal and external transportation will become still greater, and it will be necessarj^ to have a great surplus of manufactured products in the commodity fight to win the game. The abundance of water in rivers running down in such narrow channels, and the enormous fields of coal, with railroad facilities, 2264 COMMEEOIAL JAPA¥. [Decembeb, 1901.] will enable ua to produce eleetric power to run our manufactories. The country ia making considerable progress in finance, transportation, and trade. However, progress in these three merely does not make internal prosperity, but a nation's financial condition depends on the material prosperity of its people, the bulk of which in Japan is in the manufacturing industries. These have the advantages of near-by customers, motive power of electricity, and great opportunities for procuring raw materials and cheap wages, thus being the best- fitted country for manufacturing. And a proper combination of labor and capital in the superior organization of industry will yield a much greater return and will contribute largely to the total wealth of the country. The people participate in every effort which promises them a cheaper market, or one in which they can purchase superior goods at equal prices. It is gratifying to be able to state that the commerce of the coxmtry shows a marked increase in the practical intelligence of the manufacturers and exporters in promoting trade, and presents a mass of evidence as to the steady growth in popularity in foreign markets of our goods, as well as of our raw materials and minerals. The danger is in a falling off in the standard either through carelessness or the mistaken^ desire to obtain large present profits by lowering the quality. The foreign trade represents the foreign pohcy of the nation, ite relation with other countries, the extension of its influence abroad; its position in the world and its prosperity at home. To make a joint effort toward securing regular and economical means of transportation the Government and people have to inaugurate a policy of vigorous internal development, and to concentrate their efforts on enlarging the export trade. The free-trade policy of Japan is of great importance, for retaliation is a dangerous weapon, costly at the best, and in case of failure hurtful to sound commercial relations with other countries; and a protective policy is suitable only to new, large, and influential countries, Uke the United States. Our country is young in commerce, and has a great opportunity to adopt the best methods and improvements, which other older civiUzed countries got after many years of discussion and experience. If, as I stated in a previous chapter, to give laborers better education, to improve manufacturing industries, with better facilities of transportation, and to give a larger field for foreign trade will not distm-b the toade balance, why, then commerce will develop and bring wealth to the country. Thus by prudently and gradually developing the resources of the country the large expenditure of the Government, which now hinders the industry and burdens the people, will be most willingly contributed by me people, although the maintenance of constant watchfulness to prevent waste and a further reduction of fiscal burthens are to be hoped for soon. In the recent trouble in China in the international alliance Japan held a most important place. This shows that she has rriade most rapid improvement since a few years ago, and it displays the power of a nation acknowledged to stand parallel with European and American civilization, l^ow is the time for Japan to show her ability and her progress; and the twentieth century will show the greatest measure of her commerce, with the United States and England as "the three sisters of the century." THE ADOPTIOIsT OF THE GOLD STAKDAED IE" JAPAK The statements which follow regarding the adoption of the gold standard in Japan are from an official report upon this subject issued by the Japanese Government in 1899, entitled Report on the Adoption of the Gold Standard in Japan, by Count Matsukata Masayoshi, His Imperial Japanese Majesty's minister of state for finance. The report occupies more than 400 printed pages, and its complete reproduction is therefore impracticable. The statements which follow are, however, as far as practicable, verbatim extracts, with only such necessai-y condensations of the less important features as are required to render the statement a continuous and fairly complete history of the transaction. The detailed statement is prefaced by an official letter from Count Matsukata Maaayoshi, minister of finance, addressed to the minister president of state, which gives in outline the history of the conditions leading up to the change in the standard of currency in Japan and the methods by which the change was accomplished. In subsequent pages of the volume a brief statement is given of the effect of the newly adopted system so far as tested at the date of the report (May 1899), and these statements are in this presentation placed in immediate conjunction with the outline history of the event itself, thus presenting in continuous form a condensed statement of the cause, the action, and the effect, for the convenience of those who do not desire to study in detail the more elaborate statements of facts which are presented in subsequent pages. The complete volume from which these extracts and condensations are taken is on file in the library of the Bureau of Statistics of the Treasury Department, and may be consulted by those desiring additional details. OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF THE JAPANESE MINISTER OF FINANCE ACCOMPANYING THE REPORT UPON THE ADOPTION OF THE GOLD STANDARD. Department of Finance, May IS, SSd Tear of Meiji {1899}. To His Excellency Marquis Yamagata Aeitomo, IRs Imperial Japanese Majesty's Minister President of Slate. Your Excellency: I have the honor to present to your excellency herewith a report on the particulars relating to the accompHshment of the monetary reform recently undertaken by the Government. To establish gold monometallism in place of a de facto silver standard is indeed a thoroughgoing change, and the influence of that change on the future economy and finance of the country will doubtless be great and far-reaching. The coinage law (Law No. XVI of the 30th year of Meiji) which brought about this great change went into operation on the 1st day of October, 1897, while at the same time the Government began the process of exchanging and withdrawing from circulation 1-yen silver coins, which process was closed on July 31, of 1898. The disposal of the silver yen thus withdrawn from circulation was also completed in December of the latter year. The coinage system in vogue at the time of the restoration (1868) was based on the system that was first established in the 6th year of KeicSio (1600 A, D.), and since that time, for more than two hundred and sixty years, no change had ever been introduced into the system. Yet, owing to the growing financial distress, the Shogunate Government frequently resorted to recoinage as its invariable relief measure, which in every case, excepting the solitary case of Kioho time (1715 A. D.-1734 A. D.), brought out coins of lighter weight and poorer quality. The coinage system was thus, though nominally kept intact, practically destroyed in the end through successive debasement. Besides, some of the Daimios (feudal princes) often took the hberty of secretly coining money, while the practice of issuing paper money for circulation within their separate jurisdictions had become well-nigh universal. In a word, the currency system of the country at the end of the Shogunate period was in a most disordered condition. Soon after the restoration the Imperial Government saw the necessity of reorganizing the existing system of coinage on a sound basis, and in May, 1871 (fourth year of Meiji), the new coinage law was promulgated, which opened the way for the final establishment of the gold-standard system. This is a fact that must be particularly noted in order to clearly understand the monetary system of modern Japan. However, the gold standard could not yet thus be at once established. In those days the universal medium of exchange in the trade of the Far East was the Mexican dollar, and the Government thought the interest of foreign trade would best be served by issmng, aside from the standard gold coins, the silver 1 yen (or trade dollar), equal in size and quahty to the Mexican dollar, and by making it legal tender only withm the Umits of the treaty ports. So the provision was made in the new coinage law of 1871 for the coinage of the silver yen to be.called Boyeki ichi yen gin (or trade silver dollar) . At the same time the disordered condition of finance, especially the issuing of inconvertible paper money, drove gold coins out of the country with enormous rapidity. Under these circumstances, situated as the country was in the midst, of the silver countries of the East, it was found impossible to maintain the gold standard. These reasons, as well as the inconvenience of maintaining the two kinds of money— one for foreign and the other for home trade led the Government to issue Imperial ordinances Nos. XII and XIII in May, 1878 (eleventh year of Meiji), which made the trade dollar legal tender throughout the country, side by side with the gold coins. From this time on the country no longer maintained in reality a gold standard, but a gold and silver bimetallic system. This change must be regarded as one deviating step in the development of our monetary system. The Government of that time should not, however, be too severely judged. The expenses of the revolutionary wars were very heavy and the financial need was most pressing. Almost the only resort of the Government was the issuing of paper money. Moreover, when feudalism was abohshed, in 1871 (fourth year of Meiji), the Imperial Government was obliged to take over all the paper money which had been issued by different Daimios, and for the adjustment of this class of paper money the Imperial Government was again obliged to issue further a large amount of paper currency. All these causes combined to raise the amount of the inconvertible paper money to an enormous figure. The credit of these notes was at first exceedingly bad. This was doubtless due largely to the lack of credit of the Imperial Government itself but also to the fact that the people could not free their minds of the sad experiences of the losses they had incurred on account of the various inconvertible notes of feudal times. The new paper money was shunned bj; the people, even at a large discount, so much so that the Government felt compelled to take steps to reduce its amount by exchanging it for the Government bonds, bearing 6 per cent interest which were issued under the Kinsatsu (literally gold note) exchange bond regulations. Through these measures, as well as owing to the increase of the Government's credit, the hatred for paper money gradually wore off, the people finally even coming to prefer it because of the convenience of handling. 2265 2266 COMMEEOIAL JAiPAN. [December, Matters were progressing favorably when, in 1877 (tenth year of Meiji), a rebellion broke out in the southwestern provinces. The Government was again obliged to resort to the issuing of a large amount of inconvertible notes, which brought on an inflation and consequent depreciation in the value of these notes. There was also another cause for this result, namely, the increase after 1876 of the amount of national-bank notes, due to increase in the number of national banks (owing to certain amendments in the national-bank regulation, which took place through Imperial ordinance No. CVI). The effect of this depreciation was felt in various directions; for instance, prices rose rapidly, gold and silver left the country, the imports soon came to exceed the exports, the farmers contracted habits of luxury, the industrial classes became over-excited with vain hopes of speculation. Thus was brought about the great financial distress of 1880-81. That disastrous results would inevitably follow if inconvertible paper money were made the standard of value might have easily been foreseen by mere common sense, but the measures adopted by the Government at this crisis seemed to show that the authorities did not grasp this simple truth. They regarded the difference in price between silver and paper as an indication, not of the depreciation of paper, but of the appreciation of silver. They attempted, therefore, to stop the rise of the price of silver by increasing the amount of its circulation. The Government sold silver coins, opened places for the exchange of Mexican dollars, and established the Yokohama Specie Bank in order to call forth the coins hoarded by the people. But the more these methods were resorted to, so much more rose the price of silver. The Yokohama Specie Bank finally became almost bankrupt, and no one knew how . far the paper currency would go down in the scale of depreciation. At last, however, the true method of relieving the financial distress began to dawn on the minds of the men in authority. From September, 1880,_ the Government began to take steps to redeem a part of the paper money in circulation. The depreciation, however; still continued without a sign of abatement. It was at this crisis, in October, 188lJ that I received the portfolio of finance. It occurred to me, as I studied the case, that in order to effect the object in view the Government should, side by side with the redemption of a portion of the paper money in circulation, take steps to increase the specie reserve of the Government preparatory to the resumption of specie payment. Moreover, in oi'der to put the country's finance on a sound basis and relieve the pressing distress of the time, I felt the need of a central bank having the sole privilege of issuing convertible notes. I submitted a scheme for the establishment of such a central bank to the consideration of my colleagues. In the cabinet council which followed my suggestions were approved, and in June, 1882, by Imperial ordinance No. XXXII, the Nippon Ginko (Bank of Japan) was established. Two years later, in May, 1884, by Irnperial ordinance No. XVII, the Bank of Japan was empowered to issue convertible notes. After the necessary foundations were in this way laid, the Government used every means in its power to raise on these foundations a sound financial superstructure. The method of receiving and disbursing the Government revenue was changed, and the strictest economy was practiced in the expenditures of the different departments. One half of the surplus obtained in this way was devoted to the redemption of paper money, while "the other half was added to the specie reserve of the Government. Besides, after the latter part of 1881 this reserve fund was employed for discounting foreign bills of exchange with a view to encourage the export trade of the country, which in its turn would lead to the importation of specie. Thus the Government took every possible measure, and left no stone unturned for the establishment of a convertible-notes system. Thus took place on the one hand the gradual redemption of paper money, and on the other hand the increase of the specie reserve of the Government, so that not long after, about the close of 1885, the credit of the Government rose so much that the difference between the value of silver and that of paper almost disappeared. The opportune moment seemed now. to have arrived to effect the substitution of the convertible notes for the inconvertible. The Government therefore gave notice by Imperial ordinance No. XIV, of June, 1885, that specie payment would be resumed after the 1st day of January, 1886. Thus at last was overthrown the system of inconvertible paper money, together with all the evils resulting from that system. Previous to this the Government saw that the notes of the national banks were also in- need of. adjustment, and through Imperial ordinance No. XIV, of May, 1883, certain amendments were introduced in the national-bank regulations, the main point in those amendments being a method of conjoined redemption of the notes of all the banks. Thus the redemption of the bank notes began to take place, as also that of the Government paper money. The circulation of them both will cease altogether on the 31st of December, 1899. While the evils of inconvertible paper currency were thus swept away, on the other hand, however, one effect of all these reforms was to make Japan a de facto silver-standard country. This was, perhaps, an inevitable step the country had to take in arriving at last upon a sound financial footing. The authorities knew, of course, that in order to give a healthy financial development Japan would have to enter sooner or later the international economic community, and that in order to do this she would have to adopt a gold standard. That the Government pursued a policy which led to the inevitable result of making Japan a de facto silver country was owing mainly to the great difliculty of at once accumulating a large gold reserve necessary for the establishment of gold monometallism. It was thought advisable, therefore, to leave the latter, as the second end to be aimed at, to some more favorable time. . The first cause of the recent rapid depreciation of silver we must attribute to Germany's adoption of a gold standard in 1873, in consequence of which she began to sell silver. Among other main causes may be mentioned the limitation and final cessation of the coining of silver in the countries of the Latin Union and the discovery of the rich silver mines of North America. "When, however, in 1893, India, the greatest silver country in Asia, took steps to reorganize her currency system, the sudden fall in the price of silver was exceptionally noticeable. At that time Japan, being a de facto silver country, the. effect upon her of this sudden fall was very great. Fluctuations in foreign exchange now became exceedingly frequent and unreliable. Business men lost a constant standard of value and became compelled to pay constant attention to the changes in the money market, so that foreign trade tended to become largely a matter of monetary speculation. It became more and more hopeless to expect to see the healthy growth of trade, both home and foreign. Thus was impressed most clearly upon the minds of the financiers of the country the necessity of adopting gold as the standard coinage in Japan, that metal being least subjected to changes in its price and most fitted for use as the medium of exchange. The reform so necessary was, however, very difficult to undertake. Unexpectedly the reception of the Chinese indemnity seemed to offer the desired opportunity. Now, according to the terms of the treaty of peace, Japan was to receive her indemnity in Kuping taels. It occurred to me then that, on account of the inconstancy in the price of silver, as well as in view of the possible adoption of a gold standard by our country, it would be greatly to our advantage to receive the payment of the indemnity in British instead of Chinese money. The minister president of state, Marquis Ito, acting on my suggestion, negotiated with the Chinese authorities, which led to our receiving the indemnity money in pounds sterling. Not long after, on my appointment to fill the post of the minister president of state, my efforts were immediately directed toward making preparations for adopting the gold standard. In February, 1897, the bill for effecting the reform was drawn up. There was, however, no little opposition. Some said the fall in the price of silver would rather encourage trade with the gold-standard countries, while the adoption of a gold standard by Japan would tend to decrease the amount of our exports to those countries. Others said Japan, situated as she was in the midst of the silver countries of the East, would be placed in a position of much disadvantage in her trade with these countries if she adopted gold monometallism. Some others said Japan did not produce a sufficient amount of gold to be able to maintain permanently a' gold-standard system; yet again, others said the silver yen exported to foreign lands exceeded one hundred millions, and if all these coins came back for exchange, as might possibly be the case, the national treasury would have to suffer an immense loss. In the midst of all these oppositions the Government stood firm in its purpose, and the bill was introduced into the Imperial Diet in March, 1897, which, after being passed by both houses of the diet, was sanctioned by the Emperor and promulgated as law No. XVI on the 29th day of the same month. It must be looked upon as a most fortunate event, considering the future of the country's finance and the development of our national economy, that the gold standard was thus finally established. For successfully carrying out the radical change that was thus accomplished I believe that the Government has been careful to take every necessary precaution. For instance, a part of the earlier installments of the indemnity was converted into gold bullion and conveyed to this country, to be minted as fast as possible into coins in the Government mint. In buying bullion much care was taken to secure it in the time and place most advantageous, so that so large an amount of bullion was bought altogether the process was accomplished without too great a disturbance of the market and without loss to the Government. The gold thus turned into coins between July, 1897, and April, 1898, amounted to 74,455,735 yen, which was kept in reserve for the exchange of silver yen. The process of exchanging was laegun on the 1st of October, 1897, and closed on the 31st of July, 1898. 1901.] COMMEEOIAL JAPAK 2267 The total number of 1-yen silver pieces that had been coined since the opening of the Government mint at Osaka amounted to 165,133,710. Of this amount it is estimated that 99,508,740 yen were exported into foreign countries and never returned; 11,028,633 yen were taken abroad at the time of the war with China (1894^1895) ; 5,732,027 yen were sent to Formosa after the cession of that island by China and never brought in for exchange. " On the other hand, the total amount exchanged for gold coins between October 1, 1897, and July 31, 1898, was 45,588,369 yen. " Besides these, 460,904 yen had been recoined by the Government mint into subsidiary coins. These different sums amounted to 162,318,673 yen, which still leaves 2,815,037 yen whose whereabouts can not be traced. Most probably they have been lost or worn out or been taken away by foreign visitors when leaving the coimtry. To make an estimate of the amount of the silver yen which would probably come back from abroad for exchange was no easy thing todo. Accordingly I had the most careful researches made as to the amounts of those coins circulating in Shanghai, Hongkong, the Straits Settlements, etc. It was made clear as the result of these researches that no inconsiderable part of them had either marks of private stamp, which unfitted them for circulation at home, or had been recoined into Chinese taels. Then, besides, a large quantity was being used as a medium of exchange in the Straits Settlements and neighboring islands, so that there was little prospect of their coming back. In view of these facts 1 estimated that no more than 10,000,000 yen would come back for exchange. It was gratifying that the result proved the almost literal correctness of that estimate. Besides these silver coins there existed the promissory notes of the mint for the payment of silver yen, which had been given in exchange for silver bullion deposited at the mint by private parties. When silver coins were minted, these were to be handed over in exchange for those notes. Now the latter, which amounted altogether to 29,505,453 yen, were also all exchanged for gold coins. The total amount of silver thus retired by the Government reached the sum of 75,093,822 yen. Of these, 45,588,369 y«n came in partly through exchange for gold coins, and partly as taxes or in other forms of public payment; the rest consisted of the promissory notes of the Government mint. ^ It should be noted that the period of ten months allotted to the work of exchanging the silver yen was a comparatively short one, in view of the magnitude of the work to be accomplished. The authorities were not, indeed, without sense of the risk they were running; for should there be a slight hitch in the management the whole thing might have proved a failure. Yet on the other hand, if the time limit was much longer extended, it was feared that the return of the exported silver yen might become, in view of possible changes in the price of silver, unexpectedly great and thus embarrassing to the Government. It was also feared that chances for counterfeiting might perhaps be opened. For these reasons the time limit was made comparatively short, and exceptional care was taken to facilitate the process of exchange. The central Governmenttreasury, as well as the 447 Government treasuries and subtreasuries scattered all over the country, besides the Yokohama Specie Bank, which served as agency for the Bank of Japan, and its Kobe branch otiice, were all directed to take charge of the work of exchange. More(Jver, special permission was given to the people during the time allotted for exchange to pay taxes and make other public payments in silver yen. That no report has reached the authorities of any wliich failed to get exchanged seems to prove that the whole work has been well accomplished. The Government had to find some proper method of disposal of these silver coins now suddenly brought in. They amounted, as mentioned above, to the sum of 75,093,822 yen. This large sum was disposed of as follows: 27,567,012 yen were recoined into subsidiary coins between the thirtieth and thirty-second fiscal years of Meiji (1897-1900); 40,786,662 yen were sold in Shanghai, Hongkong, and elsewhere; 6,740,148 yen were taken over to Formosa, Korea, and elsewhere, and expended in those countries. The whole amount was thus disposed of in just one year and three months after the new coinage law was promulgated. In thus disposing of the silver yen the Government took every precaution to sell them as speedily and as dearly as possible. At first it was feared that, owing to the fall in the price of silver, the Government would incur a loss of more than 10 per cent, but it was fortunate that the actual loss only amounted to 7 I3er cent, and that the sale was completed within a little over one year. The rate realized was even slightly higher than the average price of silver bullion in London at the time. In disposing of these silver yen the Government incurred the loss of 5,397,581 yen, while the necessary expenses connected with the process was 155,731 yen, the two sums together making 5,553,312 yen, which had to be defrayed by the Government. This was, however, more than made good by the manufacture profit of the mint, amounting to 5,651,961 yen, which was obtained from the mint- ing of subsidiary coins between the thirtieth and thirty-first fiscal years of Meiji (1897-1899). As thus narrated, the new coinage law has been successfully put into effective operation and the disposal of the silver yen com- pleted, so that J;man is now really a gold-standard country. I regret much, however, that I can not as yet present before your excel- lency in the present report the practical proofs of the advantage which that change has conferred upon the country. In the first place a sufficient time has not elapsed to test the real working of the new system, and in addition to the sudden industrial expansion due to the fact of the victorious war with China, the partial failure of the rice crops, as well as the going into efiect of the new tariff laws, all combine to make the present financial condition of the country exceedingly complicated. Yet, judging from the condition of things after October, 1897, I can not but think that at least a part of the object aimed at has been attained. One good effect of the coinage reform is seen in the steadiness of the exchange value of money. While the prices of things have risen and fallen, according to the economic laws of supply and demand, no part of these changes was due to the result of a change in the value of money. For these reasons the industrial classes need be now no longer under constant apprehension of some unexpected changes in the value of money. Trade with gold-standard countries has been greatly facilitated through the unvariable rate of foreign exchange, as may be seen from the fact that since October, 1897, the rate of exchange on London has fiuctuated only between 2s. 0.1611d. and 2s. 0.8071d. The trade with silver countries has also shown much activity. The exports to these countries have increased from some 54,200,000 yen in 1897 to some 69,800,000 yen in 1898. The imports also have increased in the same period from 65,450,000 yen to 77,170,000 yen. The hope of inviting capital "at a low rate of interest from gold-standard countries, in order to help on the industrial growth of the country, will doubtless be realized before very long. These are, of course, but minor observations. That in the long run the advant^es of the gold standard will be deep and abiding, conducive to the healthy industrial growth of the country, scarcely seems to admit of any doubt. On one point, however, particular care needs to be exercised. It is possible that the state of coinage in Formosa may act as a disturbing factor in the successful working of gold monometallism in Japan. Much as it was desired to establish a pure and simple gold standard in the island of Formosa, it was found impossible to do so in view of the great difficulty of changing the usages and customs of the Chinese population in that island, and also because of the exceptionally close commercial relationship that is maintained between Formosa and the mainland. For these reasons while gold is made the standard of value, yet for a limited period of time the silver ye:i is to be allowed to circulate as legal tender at a value fixed by the Government from time to time. There is no doubt that in order to lay the foundations of a national currency system firmly and lastingly it is highly desirable to supply enough hard money for ordinary transactions. It was for this reason that as soon as the Government took steps for the substitution of the convertible notes for the inconvertible paper money an increased appropriation was made for coining 10 and 20 sen silver pieces, so that as fast as produced they were issued in exchange for the paper money of smaller denominations consisting of 50, 20 and 10 sen pieces, the last-named 10-sen pieces being finally withdrawn from circulation on the 30th of June, 1887. The 50 and 20 sen pieces yet in circulation have been reduced now to an insignificant proportion. Besides, at the time the coinage law was pronmlgated there were in circulation more than 66,000,000 yen of the 1-yen convertible notes of the Bank of Japan, which were being used by the people in their smaller daily transactions. The plan adopted by the Government was to make the further issue of 40,600,000 ven of various subsidiary coins, consisting of 50 sen and other smaller denominations, and in exchange for these to retire the 1-yen silver . notes of the Bank of Japan. When the plan is realized the total amount of subsidiary coins in circulation, consisting of silver, nickel, and copper pieces, will reach the sum of 81,820,000 yen, making about 2 yen per capita of the population. It seems to me that, in view of the present economic condition of the country, this is just about what the people would need. Up to the end of March, 1899, ■I bout 27 000 000 of these silver coins had been minted and made to circulate in place of 1-yen convertible notes, which are now being gradually withdrawn from circulation. It will not be long before the object aimed at by this measure will be fully attained. » Most probably these were taken over to the mainland by the Chinese. •> 01 this amount 10 846,465 yen were sent back from abroad to bo exchanged and the rest were in circulation at home. 2268 COMMEECIAL JAPAIT. [Decembbb, To recapitulate, it will be noted that there are four periods in the coinage history of modem Japan. The first period extends from 1868 (first year of Meiji) to 1871, in which the beginning was made of the estabUshment of the new currency system by the promulgation of the new coinage regulations of 1871. The main effort of the finance ministers of those days was directed to the adjustment of the disordered condition of finance and coinage, created by the revolutionary state of affairs at the close of the Shogunate regime. The second period extends from 1872 to 1879. This period is marked for the founding of the Government mint and the issue of new coinage, but more marked for the enormous issues of inconvertible paper money, which brought about all the evils of inflation. The third period extends from 1880 to 1885, in which the efforts of the Government were directed to replacing the inconvertible paper money with the convertible notes, which prepared the way for the final inauguration of the gold-standard system, though for a time it resulted in the establishment of a de facto silver standard. The fourth period extends from 1886 to 1898, in which the silver standard was changed uito a gold monometallic system. It will be noted that the first, second, and third periods are marked by efforts directed to the adjustment of the coinage system, in view of the condition of things at home, while the fourth period is marked by the attempt to adapt the national coinage system to the conditions of things abroad, these conditions of things being chiefly characterized by sudden and great fluctuations in the price of silver, endangering the safe economic growth of our country. In conclusion, I can not refrain from expressing my humblest and deepest gratitude to His Majesty the Emperor, that, owing to his overruling gracious wisdom, the councils of his ministers on financial matters have, during these troublesome times, been invariably marked with wisdom and judgment, and the ofiicials of all grades concerned have performed their duties well, so that there has taken place thus far an orderly and progressive development in the financial affairs of the Empire. It is plain, however, that in order to strengthen the foundations of the gold-standard system now established it will be necessary in the future not only to keep up but to increase the gold reserves of the Bank of Japan. It will also be necessary that efforts be increasingly directed toward the development of the agricultural and industrial enterprises of the country, and the consequent growth of foreign trade. In these efforts allow me to humbly assure your excellency that I shall not be found remiss, so that His Majesty's gracious intentions may be as far as possible realized. I have, etc. Count Matsdkata Masayoshi, Sis Imperial Japanese Majesty's Minister of State for Finance. ErFECT of the CHANGE IN STANHARD UPON ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN JAPAN. Since the adoption of the gold standard our currency has been freed from constant fiuctuations in its exchange rate, to which it was subject before. Owing to this latter fact, moreover, the relations between the claims of the creditor and the liabilities of the debtor became less subject to sudden and unexpected changes; business transactions were made safe; an improvement in credit took place in the community at large; prices became more constant — in a word, the way was now opened for the steady and orderly growth of our commerce and industry. Leaving out of account in this section the questions concerning the effect of the coinage reform on the foreign trade of the country, it can be very clearly seen that since October, 1897, the prices of commodities have kept comparatively even; that while there have been some changes, yet, when compared with the sudden and great changes which used to occur formerly, we must say that the fluctuations were remarkably small. Besides, these small changes in the price of commodities can be amply explained by referring to the partial failure of rice crops, to the sudden expansion of industry, and then to its as sudden depression, to a stringency in the money market, as well as to some other causes. These changes in the price of commodities were due, therefore, to the natural working of the economic law of supply and demand in the commodities themselves. If we notice the fact, moreover, that the amount of checks and bills cleared at the clearing houses in Tokyo and Osaka has remarkably increased during these recent months, notwithstanding the fact that during this very time there prevailed much business stagnation everywhere, we can not but conclude that business transactions on credit have come to prevail more widely and freely than before. The beneficial result of the coinage reform is seen in another direction. Since now that the capitalists of the gold-standard counttries have become assured that they will no longer be in constant danger of suffering unexpected losses from investments made in this country, on account of fluctuations in the price of silver, they seem to show a growing tendency to make such investments at low rates of interest. This tendency, if encouraged, will doubtless bring about a closer connection between this country and the central money markets of the world — a state of things which I believe we shall be able to see realized more and more fully as years go on. So far as our trade with gold-standard countries is concerned, our adoption of the gold standard, which made us use the same standard of value as those countries, has proved to be a source of great benefit. This may be inferred from the fact that changes which have since taken place in the rate of foreign exchange have been but very slight, and these all traceable to changes in the condition of the foreign trade of the country, and not all traceable, as formerly, to sudden changes in the price of silver. For this reason there was eliminated from our foreign trade much of that speculative element which was caused by constant changes in the value of our currency, so that the way was at last opened for the steady and natural development of the foreign trade of the country. Again, concerning our commerce with silver-standard countries, contrary to the gloomy prospects indulged in by some critics, our trade with those countries has not ceased to make a steady growth, and this in the face of certain events occurring in the interior of China, our greatest customer among the silver countries — events such as natural calamities and disturbances, which have greatly hindered the commercial activity of that country. Since our coinage reform enabled us to avoid all the evil effects of fluctuations in the price of silver we stand now no longer, as formerly was the case, under the necessity of making plans for financial matters with the currency constantly changing in value and sometimes suffering unexpected losses and evils in times when those fluctuations are unusually violent. All those fears of miscalculation and losses have now become things of the past. Most particularly in the last few years, when national expenditures for things bought abroad, such as war ships, etc., have greatly increased in amount, we have doubtless been able to avoid, on account of our coinage reform, great losses on the part of the national treasury. Besides, since our adoption of the gold standard, our Government bonds have been sold in no small amount in the European market, so that their names appear regularly in the price list of the London Stock Exchange. This fact at once converted our bonds into an international commodity and will, no doubt, lead to a closer relationship between our home and the foreign money markets. The discussion also quotes a report of the higher commission on agriculture, commerce, and industry, which, after an elaborate discussion of the effect of the monetary system, closes by saying; "We believe that the beneficial effect of our coinage reform on our foreign trade has already been great, and we do not notice any material evil in connection with it. Besides, our adoption of the gold standard has made it easier for our country to enter into the economic community of the world at large, so that henceforth it will become practicable for us to invite capital from other countries, where it is plentiful, to be invested in our country. This will doubtless be another of the benefits conferred upon the country by our coinage reform. We conclude, therefore, that the effect of the coinage reform upon our foreign trade has been beneficial, without a trace of evil." THE REPORT OF THE HIGHER COMMISSION ON AGRICULTURE, COMMERCE, AND INDUSTRY ON THE ADOPTION OF THE GOLD STANDARD. A report of the higher commission on agriculture, commerce, and industry, drawn in October, 1898, in response to an inquiry made by the minister of agriculture and commerce concerning the effect of coinage reform on the foreign trade of the country, is quoted by the minister of finance in his report, as follows: In replying to the question put before the present commission we believe it is well to say a few words in regard to the circumstances under which the recent coinage reform was effected. There is no doubt that in the case of any country the most important question to 1901.] COMMEECIAL JAPAIS. 2269 be considered in connection with a comage reform to be effected would be aa to the effect of that reform on the price of commodities at home and on the responsibility and liability in cases of monetary contracts, and that the questions connected with the effect on the foreign trade of the country must be looked upon as of lesser importance. Now, considered in relation to the effect of coinage reform on the prices of commodities and on the responsibility and liability connected with monetary contracts, we believe that the reform was undertaken at a most favorable moment. There were other causes, too, which made the reform easier. First among these causes may be rnentioned the fact that though our country had adopted a gold standard once before, soon after the restoration, it became changed into a bimetallic system, so that while there were always gold coins in existence in the country, they were not used in the daily transactions of the people. And later, when a de facto silver standard came to prevail, even then silver coin was scarcely used in daily transactions, but the convertible note representing that coin, the latter being merely kept in the Bank of Japan as the conversion reserve. The second fact to be noted is the smallnesa of the native output of gold and silver. The quantity of these metals produced in the country is so small that Japan can scarcely be called a gold or silver producing country. The third cause is the fact that both gold and silver coins, as well as bullion of these metals found in the country, were nearly all absorbed by the Bank of Japan, and but very littlewas found among the people in general. Then, fourthly and lastly, there was but very little foreign capital directly invested in industrial and commercial enterprises in tiae country. All these causes combined to make the conditions prevailing in Japan very different from those in American or India, and made it very much easier to carry into effect the plan of coinage reform. Another fortunate thing was the fact that the price of silver, which had shown a growing tendency to depreciate, remained almost stationary at the time the reform was being effected; and since the price of silver which prevailed at the time made our oldl-yen gold coin about equal to 2-yen silver, the Government was able, in establishing the new sjfstem, to fix upon the weight of our new coin at one-haK the weight of the old coin. For this reason, although the standard of our coinage was changed from silver into gold, yet the value of our standard coinage remained almost unchanged. These favorable circumstances together enabled our country to accomplish the reform without disturbing the prices of commodities or the responsibility or liability in cases of monetary contracts, and thus to avoid evils most dreaded in foreign countries. We must therefore affirm that our coinage reform was successful in accomplishing the most important object it had in view. What, then, has been its effect on the foreign trade of the country? There is ho doubt, of course, that this is a very important question. In trying to answer it we must remember that all of the countries of the world to-day, except a very few, have now adopted the gold standard, and the volume of our trade with the gold-standard countries amounts to two-thirds of the entire volume of our foreign trade, while the amount of our trade with the silver-standard countries comprises but about one-third. And since it is clear that we have benefited greatly through reform in our trade with the gold-standard countries, we must conclude that the effect of our recent reform on tlie foreign trade of the country has been, on the whole, wholesome and beneficial. We are not indeed entirely free from the danger that, in competing with the silver-standard countries in the market of the gold-standard countries, we may be sometimes placed at a temporary disadvantage owing to the changes in the ratio between gold and silver; yet it is a fortunate thing that, in regard to silk, which is our most important product, there is scarcely any such danger, since the silk that our own has to compete with is not the Chinese silk, but the Italian silk, the former meeting different customers from ours. Some would indeed attribute the dull state of commerce with China since last year to the effect of our coinage reform, but such critics perhaps do not understand the real state of affairs in regard to our commerce with China. We need hardly to say that the growth or decrease of our exports to any foreign country depends very largely upon the economic conditions of that country. Owing to financial derangements consequent upon her war with our country, as well as to the failure of crops and of silk culture, China was in no condition to buy from us, so not alone in her import trade with this country in cotton yarns, etc., but also in her trade with other countries as well, she has not shown much activity. For this reason, the specie .which was received in payment for the exports was absorbed into the interior of that country and never came out. This produced a great scarcity of currency in Shanghai, Hongkong, etc., raising the rate of interest to 20 or 30 per cent per annum. For this reason, and from the fact that the exports of some articles, like matches and coal, which are in great demand throughout the Far East have not decreased at all, we may safely infer that as soon as the business condition of China improves our export of cotton yarn into that country will increase, as also indeed the exports of other articles. Again, some critics would regard the reduction in the market price of our cotton yarn from 100 yen or there- abouts of last year to 75 yen or thereabouts of this year as due to the influence of our coinage reform. This opinion, again, seems to rest upon ignorance of the facts, for it must be remembered that last year's cotton crop of America was very abundant, so that the price oi raw cotton fell from 22 or 23 yen to 15 or 16 yen, i. e., by about 20 to 30 per cent. When a raw material becomes reduced in price, the article manufactured from it will, as a matter of course, also be reduced in price. There was perhaps another cause for the reduction in the price of our cotton yarn, namely, its overproduction and oversupply in the market, owing to the greatly increased number oi spindles which were set up. In fact, India seems to be similarly suffering on account of the difficulty of selling, its cotton yarn and the consequent fall in the price. And when we remember that the currency of India is not a silver standard, but one which may most fitly be called an artificially constructed gold standard, there does not seem to be any cause for alarm on account of our change of currency from the Indian competition in the production of cotton yarn. Such, then, being the case, we believe that the beneficial effect of our coinage_ reform on our foreign trade has already been great, and we do not notice any material evil in connection with it. Besides, our adoption of the gold standard has made it easier for oui country to enter into the economic community of the world at large, so that henceforth it will become practicable for us to invite capital from other countries where it is plentiful to be invested in our country. This will undoubtedly be another of the benefits conferred upon the country by our coinage reform. We conclude, therefore, that the effect of the coinage reform upon our foreign trade has been beneficial, without a trace of evil, sb that there does not seem to be any need for adopting measures for the warding off of possible evils. DETAILS OF THE COINAGE HISTORY OF JAPAN. The above extracts present, in official form, a condensed statement upon the subject in question. For the convenience of those desiring to make a more elaborate study of the subject, the following additional details from the report are presented: The report proper, which follows the letter of presentation from the minister of finance, already quoted, states that the monetary svstem in vogue when the restoration took place in 1867 consisted largely of debased coins issued by the various governments, counterfeit coins, and depreciated paper money, and adds: After the country was opened to trade with Western nations the Shogunate government was the first to realize the greatness of the loss from which the country was suffering on account of the disordered state of comage. Before any steps were taken, however, toward reform the Shogunate regime was overthrown and the restoration regime ushered in. The Imperial Government at once felt the pressing need of a monetary reform, and in April, 1868, while the revolutionary wars were yet "oinc on, a plan of recoinage was drawn up and adopted. Steps were immediately taken to found a Government mint, and in November, 1869, it was determined to base the new coinage on the metric system, making silver the standard unit of value and gold subsidiary.' In November, 1870, the Government mint began to coin sUver. While such steps were being taken at home there arrived, early in 1871 a memorandum from Mr. Ito Hirobumi, vice minister for finance, then traveling in the United States. In that memoran- dum Mr. Ito'(now marquis) sets forth the advantage of adopting a gold standard. The memorandmn runs as follows: REASONS FOB BASESTG THE JAPANESE NEW COINAGE ON THE METRIC SYSTEM. According to the coinage system recently adopted in Japan the silver yen is the standard unit of value, so that may be used as legal tender in transactions to any amount; ihe smaller coins, various fractions of 1 yen, are to be the subsidiary medium of exchange, each kind being permitted as legal tender in transactions amounting to one hundred times its value. There is, besides, the gold yen, but it is subsidiary, and may be used in the payment of sums of not more than ten times its value, or 100 yen. No. 6 18 2270 OOMMEEOIAL JAPAiN". [December, The silver yen consists of 90 per cent of pure silver, its weight being 416 -troy grains. It is equal in quality to the American dollar, but slightly exceeds the latter in weight, for the American dollar weighs 412J grains. The different fractional silver coins weigh in proportion to the fraction of the unit yen. This system, now adopted by the Government, is based on the system adopted some years ago by the English Government for coinage in Hongkong, only the subsidiary gold coin is a new idea. The new coinage system of Japan is m many respects like the system in vogue in America and England, the chief difference being that while in Japan the silver yen is made the standard unit of value, in England and America gold is the standard of value, gold coin . being legal tender to any amount. Silver coins are treated in these countries as subsidiary, the legal-tender circulation being limited to small sums only— the sum of $5 in the United States, that of 40 shilling in England, being regarded as the maximum amounts. In Japan, gold being treated as subsidiary, its limit as legal tender is fixed at 100 yen— an exceptionally large amount. I presume the Government IS m hopes that on account of such exceptional treatment the gold coin will always remain abundant, while the silver yen will gradually wear out through constant handling, so that in course of time gold \sill of itself become the standard unit of value. Should such hopes be indeed realized, the Japanese gold coin being almost equal in value to the American gold coin, the prices of gold and silver in Japan and California will tend gradually to be on a par. But the Japanese 10-yen gold coin is lighter in weight than the American lO-doUar gold piece, for while the former weighs 248 grains the latter weighs 258 grains. Not only is it lighter in weight than the American gold piece, it is even lighter than the English gold coins; for 2 English sovereigns (1 sovereign is 1 pound sterling) weight 251.1 grains. Still again, the Japanese coin is lighter than the French, for the 50-fr.ino pieces weigh 248.9 grains. Just now there is under discussion in the House of Representatives of the United States a bill for establishing an international system of coinage. The 10-dollar gold piece according to that system is to weigh 257.2 grains, or 16f grams. Now, if the Japanese gold piece were slightly increased in weight so as to equal this international standard coin, it would seem that the coinage system of Japan would be established on a sound basis and be forever free from all fluctuations of exchange value. In case the Japanese coinage system is to be thus remodeled the weight of each coin will have to be altered as laid down in the following table: Fineness. Weight of 1 yen. Troy grains. Silver yen . Gold yen . . Silver coins which are fractions of 1 yen. Standard unit"" Subsidiary'' ... Subsidiary. , Mne eilver=5 pentagrammes 5 tiers-grammes with ^ part of copper, 5 pentagrammes with ^ part of copper. Fine silver=385.80872. 25.72068133, -f^ part of which being copper. Fine gold= 23.1485232. 385.80872, tV part of which being copper. Fine silver= 347.227848. "Legal tender to any large amount. ' Legal tender only up to ten times its value. I give below a table for reference, showing the weights of different coins according to the proposed international system now under discussion in the House of Eepresentatives of the United States: Weight of $1. Troy grains. Silver dollar. Gold dollar- . Silver coins which are fractions of SI. Trade dollar " . Standard unit " Subsidiary >> . . . Fine silver=5 pentagrammes 5 tiers-grammes with ^ part of alloy. . 5 pentagrammes with -^ part of alloy. Fine silver=385.80872. 26.72058133, fs part of which being copper. Fine gold= 23.1485232. 385.80872, ^ part of which being copper. Fine silver= 847.227848. » Legal tender to any large amount. i" Legal tender up to $5. The trade dollar ip the above table is intended to be used for trade with China and other Eastern countries. The ratio of gold and silver in the new coinage system of Japan is 1 of gold to 16.77 oi silver. If this ratio should now be changed to 1 of gold to 16f of silver, basing it on the metric system, a 10-yen gold piece would contain 231.48 grains of fine gold. In that case at the fineness of nine-tenths the weight of the coin would be 257.2 grains or 16f metric grams. The 1-yen silver piece coined according to this ratio would contain 385.80872 grains of fine silver, which at the fineness of nine- tenths would make the coin weigh 424.38959 grains. It will be remembered that according to the system already adopted the silver yen weighs 416 grains and the gold 10-yen piece 248 grains. The metric system, according to which I suggest our coinage system be reestablished, is a system of weights and measures which originated in France and lias now passed into universal use throughout the world. The proposed international coinage system will be based on this system. ; Let me quote what Mr. Kelley, chairman of the American coinage committee, says in one of his writings: "The United States of America has adopted the French metric system of weights and measures for the purposes of coinage and postage. Now that we have adopted this system the nations of the world will be compelled to adopt it also. Our adoption of this system was, therefore, not merely for our own advantage, but also for the ultimate benefit of the world at large. The metric system of coinage was for the first time adopted in the United States, it being three years afterwards that France followed our example. Canada, too, followed our example, and is now using dollars and cents. There is no question that other nations will gradually adopt this system, for the people of every country will come to see how easy and simple the monetary calculation becomes, either in subtraction or multi- plication, if that system is adopted." In regard to the question which metal should be made the standard of value the opinion of the economists all tend to coincide in regarding gold as the fittest metal for standard. That Austria, Holland, and some other countries still maintain a silver standard is probably due to the great difiiculty of changing the old system. If a system of coinage were to be newly established by any of these countries there is no question but that the gold standard would be invariably adopted. It will be a wise policy for Japan, therefore, to consider the trend of opinion in Western lands and establish her new system in accordance with the best teachings of modern times. It may be that for the time being; on account of the possible great loss to the country from the too sudden adoption of the gold standard, a silver standard may have to be maintained. Otherwise, there is no question that gold is the best metal for the standard of value. If the gold standard is introduced silver may be fitly coined for a subsidiary medium of exchange, putting a limit to its legal-tender amount. It may be as well to establish our system as laid down in the table given above — ^provisionally making silver the standard — strictly keeping in view, however, the time when gold will be made to supersede silver as the standard of our system of coinage. P. S. — The foregoing memorandum was written necessarily in haste, and I must confess there are no few repetitions and some confusion in statement. The main points I wanted to emphasize were: 1st. The necessity of slightly reducing the weight of the unit of value of the silver coinage; and 2d. To determine the weight of the gold coin according to the metric system. Written in America on the 29th day of December, 1870. (Signed.) ^ Hieobumi. The above memorandum was chiefly instrumental in effecting a change in the coinage policy of the country. The Government decided to adopt at once the gold standard, and issued the new coinage regulations on the lOth of May, 1871. These regulations run as follows: 1901-] COMMEEOIAL JAPAIif. 2271 THE NEW COINAGE REGULATIONa. ■ \ The standard of unit of the new coinage shall be called yen, and all reckonings and calculations of money shall be made, whether large or small, by the addition of numerals to the unit yen. Amounts less than 1 yen shall be estimated in terms of sen, or one- hundredth part of 1 yen, and rin, or one-tenth part of 1 sen. * * * LIMITATIONS IN THE CIHCULATION OF THE NEW COINAGE. The standard coins are to be of gold consisting of 20-yen, 10-yen, 5-yen, 2-yen, and 1-yen pieces, of which 1 yen shall be the standard unit of value. These gold coins are all legal tender and may be used in monetary transactions to any amount. By the standard coin is meant the coin whose value is the standard on which the values of other coins are based. Hence there is no need of limiting the amount in which they may be legally used in transaction. One yen gold is the standard unit of value, because it is the standard on which the values of other coins are based. The silver coins, which consist of 50-sen, 20-sen, 10-sen, and 5-sen pieces, are issued as subsidiary money. They are legal tender either in one kind or in different kind up to the amount of 10 yen only. The copper coins, which consist of 1 sen, one-half sen, and 1 rin, are also subsidiary money, and may be used as legal tender up to the amount of 1 yen only. ~ By the subsidiary money is meant the smaller coins issued to assist in the circulation of currency. Their legal value is fixed by Government regulations. Hence the need of limiting the amount beyond which they may not be used in transactions. The 1-yen silver piece is to be coined during a limited period of time, particularly in response to the desires of individuals both Japanese and foreign, in order to facilitate trade at the treaty porta. This silver yen shall be legal tender at the treaty ports, so that they may be used in the payment of all customs duties and of taxes by the foreign residents, as well as in all monetary transactions between the Japanese and foreigners. This coin shall not be legal tender outside of the treaty ports limits, though, of course, it may be freely used in transactions where parties concerned mutually consent to its use. The relative legal value of the silver yen and the gold yen at the treaty ports shall be 100 silver yen to 101 gold yen. Thus, v/hile there was introduced at this early date a gold-standard system in Japan, at the same time a silver yen was also to be coined as legal-tender money in the treaty ports. This was due to the fact that the Mexican silver dollar vv'as at that time universally used in the commerce of the Far East, so that the coining of the silver yen was considered a necessity. In February, 1875, by imperial ordinance No. XXXV, the Government changed the name of the silver yen to boyeki gin, or trade dollar, and its weight from 416 grains to 420 grains. * * * The chief motive in making this change was to drive off the Mexican dollar and replace it with the trade dollar, but it was found out very soon that the attempt was a failure. The Government soon ceased to coin the trade dollar and returned again to coining the silver yen. * * * All these different measures were, however, not sufficient to maintain gold monometallism in healthy growth. The issuing of a large amount of inconvertible paper money drove specie, especially the gold coins, out of the country. This and the smallness of the natural output of gold in Japan both constituted reasons which, in 1878, led Mr. Okuma Shigenobu (now Count), at that time minister of finance, to advise the Government to adopt gold and silver bimetallism as a policy more conducive to the country's prosperity. The Government, acting on his advice, by imperial ordinance No. XII, of May, 1878, sanctioned the free use of the silver yen and the trade dollar as legal tender throughout the country. The silver-yen piece thus acquired the same legal value as one yen gold and the system of coinage was changed from the gold standard to the gold and silver bimetallic system. The above statements, which are referred to at various places in the report as the history of the attempted adoption of the gold standard and the transition to the gold and silver bimetallic system, are followed by a detailed statement of the issue, and, finally, the overissue by the Government of inconvertible paper intended originally purely as an emergency measure, the amount, however, being increased from time to time until the quantity in circulation became very large, and to this was added a series of national-bank notes which, while originally converted into specie, were afterwards permitted to be convertible into Government paper money, which, however, was itself , inconvertible, thus making the bank notes another kind of inconvertible paper money. The report continues: In this way rose, step by step, the amount of paper money issued by the Government, until by the end of January, 1878, it reached to some 120,835,000 yen. Besides these the Government got into the habit of making temporary issues from the paper-money reserve to fill up temporarily the deficits in the revenue, this paper-money reserve being a large stock of unissued paper money kept for the exchange of worn-out notes. And since after 1878 the amount thus issued averaged, as a rule, about 20,000,000 yen a year, this much must also be regarded as added to the amount of paper money in circulation. Moreover, after the introduction of the amendments in the national-bank regulations as mentioned above, the number of national banks rapidly increased, which brought about an increase in the amount of bank notes, so that in April, 1880, it rose to 34,420,000 yen. The issuing of so large an amount of inconvertible paper money naturally brought about results disastrous to the healthy financial devel- opment of the country; prices rose enormously; the imports came to always exceed the exports; the specie daily left the country for abroad; people contracted luxurious habits of life; business men ran wild in speculation. All these evils reached their cUmax in the years 1880 and 1881. The amount of inconvertible paper money in circulation reached its highest point in January, 1880, as may be seen from the figures given below, according to the returns on the last day of that month: Yen. Government paper money 113,831, 709 Reserve paper money temporarily issued 22, 188, 116 Notes of the national banks - 34, 137, 652 Total 170,157,477 At the beginning of the Meiji era there was a great difficulty in getting the Government paper money circulated, and at that time its price very much depreciated. But with the return of peace and the increase of the credit of the new Government the credit of paper money also increased. The amount issued, moreover, did not exceed the actual need of the country. For these reasons it came soon to circulate at par with specie. Early in 1878, however, the Government issued quite suddenly another very large amount of paper money, and from that time on its depreciation again commenced. At first tlie ratio between silver and paper was 1 yen of silver to 1 yen and 7 or 8 sen of paper, but at the close of that year it became more than 1 yen and 21 sen of paper to 1 yen of silver. There seemed to be no end to depreciation. Unfortunately, there prevailed at that time among the authorities an erroneous opinion that these differences in the value of paper and of silver were due not to the depreciaton of paper, but to the appreciation of silver. The Government, therefore, made various attempts to keep the price of silver down. The authorites, indeed, drew up at this time a plan for the redemption of Government bonds and of paper money; but their more serious efforts were directed toward preventing the rise of the price of silver. For instance, the Government prevailed upon the First and Second-National banks, and the Mitsui Bank, as well as some other banks, to sell out silver coia; opened places for transacting the exchange of Mexican dollars; in February established the Yokohama Specie Bank, with the object of inviting the people to invest hoarded coins so that these coins might be sui)pUed to the financial market. The Specie Bank was, moreover, to engage in foreign exchange in order to facilitate monetary circulation between Japan and foreign countries. The Government believed that, as in these ways the supply of silver would be increased, its market price would necessarily come down. But, as a matter of fact, the Yokohama 2272 GOMMEEGIAL JAPAIT. [Decembeb, bank sufiered so much loss as to become almost bankrupt, and other measures did not produce the desired result. The difference in value between silver and paper kept on increasing, so that in April, 1880, the average ratio between the two was 1 yen 54 sen 9 rin of paper to one yen of silver. When all these attempts had failed the Government at last opened its eyes to see the necessity of making redemption. With this object in view the ratio of tax on sak6 was doubled by imperial ordinance No. XL, of September 27, 1880, so that the increased revenue on that score might be set apart as a redemption fund. Again, by imperial ordinance No. XLVIII, the spheres of local taxation were increased, correspondingly lightening the financial burden of the central government, and at the same time the Government expenditures were much curtailed, the surplus obtained in all these ways being also added to the redemption fund. Besides all these, the Government decided gradually to transfer by sale to private hands the Government factories which had been established for the encouragement of industry, stopped making loans to companies and individuals out of the reserve fund in the treasury, and every yen thus gained went to further increase the amount of the redemption fund. Yet the depreciation of paper did not stop. In April, 1881, 1 yen silver fetched on an average 1 yen 79 sen 5 rin of paper (the lowest point reached in depreciation during that month being 1 yen 81 sen 5 rin). This was, indeed, the lowest point ever reached. At this time a plan to raise a foreign loan of 50,000,000 yen for the purpose of redeeming paper money was advocated by some in the Government, but the plan was never adopted. With the appointment of Mr. ■ Matsukata Masayoshi (now count) to the portfolio of finance, on the 20th of October, 1881, the Government determined at last to adopt the policy on the one hand of redeeming the paper money, and on the other of increasing the specie reserve of the Government as pre- paratory to the introduction of a convertible note system. The amount of Government paper and of bank notes at this time in circula- tion stood as follows: Yen. Government paper money - 105, 905, 212 Government paper monev temporarily issued out of the paper-money reserve 14, 500, 000 Notes issued by national banks - 34,398,030 Total 154,803,242 The finance minister of the time (Count Matsukata) thought it an irregular practice to issue a part of the paper-money reserve for temporarily meeting the deficit of revenue, as had been the practice of the Government for some years past. In order to pay back once for all the amount thus utilized from the paper-money reserve, he introduced certain changes in the method of making receipts and dis- bursements of the public revenue. He had, besides, the method of disbursing the expenditures of the Government departments changed, so that henceforth these disbursements were all made at the exchequer, instead of having the amounts of the estimated expenditures turned over in lump sums to the departmental authorities in the early part of the fiscal year. These changes were effectual, as may be presumed, in leading to economy in the State expenditure. Yet further steps were taken toward economy and the increase of the Gov- ernment reserve by ceasing to make any further loans out of the Government reserve in aid of industrial enterprises, and at the same time by requiring that all the past loans should be paid back to the Government according to the terms of agreements. Now, with the money which came into the treasury in these ways, as well as by temporarily utilizing the money which came in response to the Naka- sendo railway bonds, issued about this time, the Government was able to pay back to the paper-money reserve in January, 1883, the entire amount of the paper money which had been subtracted for temporary circulation out of the said reserve. A plan was now adopted, on the other hand, of issuing the treasury bills to meet the demand of the exchequer for any temporary deficit in the revenue. * * * While in this way was effected the adjustment of the troubles connected with the temporary issue from the paper-money reserve, not quite so easy was the adjustment of the larger troubles which existed in connection with the paper currency proper. ■ The minister of finance of the time (Count Matsukata) felt that in order to effect the much needed adjustment of the Government paper money it would be necessary to establish a great central bank, which should have the sole privilege of issuing convertible bank notes; which should serve as a supreme organ for the regulation of the currency of the country; which should, moreover, discount the foreign bills of exchange in order to regulate the influx and efilux of specie and bulUon; which should still further be intrusted with certain services in the treasury, so as to simplify the business of the exchequer. The above recommendations of the minister of finance, Count Matsukata Masayoshi, for a great central bank were approved by the Government, and in June, 1882, regulations issued authorising its establishment. At the same time with the establishment of the Bank of Japan the Government took measures to increase its revenue. In 1882 the Government first levied stamp duties on patent medicines and license tax on the brokers of the rice exchange and the stock exchange, and revised sak6 and tobacco taxes, and in 1885 taxes on soy and confectionery were levied for the first time. One-half of the surplus of revenue which was secured through these means was devoted to the redemption of Inconvertible paper money, while the other half was added to the reserve fund with the object of employing it for securing the importation of specie from abroad. The Government now established consulates in London, New York, and Lyons, the three greatest foreign markets for Japanese goods, and by employing the reserve fund of the Government in discounting foreign bills of exchange tried to absorb specie from abroad, as well as to encourage the export trade. To import foreign specie in some way was at the time an absolute necessity, since the output of gold and silver from Japanese mines only amounted to 400,000 or 500,000 yen annually. As results of this policy the amount of paper money was reduced at the end of 1885 to about 88,345,096 yen, while at the same time the Government was yet able to keep about 42,260,000 yen of specie in the reserve fund. In view of these facts, the price of paper money gradually kept rising until it stood on a par with silver. The minister of finance, Mr. Matsukata (now count), now presented to his colleagues a plan of permitting the Bank of Japan to issue a certain amount of convertible bank notes as a sort of experiment preparatory to the resumption of specie payment. The Government, on approving this plan, had regulations drawn up concerning covertible bank notes. Imperial ordinance No. XVIII and the accompanying regulations in regard to convertible bank notes, which were issued on the 26th of May, 1884, run as follows: IMPERIAL OKDINAKCB KO. XVIII OF THE 26tH DAY OF MAY, 1884. The convertible bank-note regulations are hereby issued. They will go into operation on the 1st day of July, 1884. Imperial ordinance No. 0, promulgated in September of 1874, will cease to be effective one year after the day these regulations are issued. THE CONVERTIBLE BANK-NOTE EEGULATIONS. Aetiole I. The convertible bank notes shall be issued by the Bank of Japan, in accordance with the provisions of Article XIV of the regulations concerning the Bank of Japan. These bank notes shall be convertible with silver. Akt. II. The Bank of Japan shall keep a sufficient amount of silver coins as reserve fund for the conversion of its notes. Art. III. The denominations of the convertible bank notes shall be 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 20 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, 200 yen — seven kinds in all. The minister of finance shall determine the amount to be issued of each kind. Art. IV. The convertible bank notes shall be legal tender in the payment of taxes and customs duties, as well as in all monetary transactions. Art. V. The convertible bank notes shall be manufactured by the Bank of Japan according to the shape, lettering, and design fixed by the minister of finance, the amount manufactured being reported to the said minister from time to time. The minister of finance shall previously notify the public as to the specimen of the note to be issued. Art. VI. Persons desirous of getting the notes exchanged for coins may get them so exchanged at the central or branch ofQce of the bank at any time when the bank is open for business. la&l.] GOMMEEOIAL, JAPA¥. 2273 Abt. VII. Persona bringing gold and silver coins to be exchanged for the notes may get them so exchanged at the central or a. branch office of the bank without fee. Aet. Vni, The bank shall prepare tables showing the receipts and disbursements of the notes for each day, as well as for the month, and report the same to the minister of finance. Art. IX. The minister of finance shall instruct the comptrollers to oversee all matters relating to the issuing of the notes; when necessary, the comptrollers may examine the safes where the notes are kept, as well as the books recording the notes issued. Akt. X. The notes which get defaced or mutilated so as to be unfit for circulation may be exchanged, without fee, at the central or a branch office of the bank. Aet. XI. All processes regarding the manufacture of the notes, their redemption, the exchange of damaged notes, etc. , shall be determined by the minister of finance. Art. XII. All crimes respecting the counterfeiting and fraudulent alteration of the notes shall be punished in accordance with the articles relating to the counterfeiting of paper money in the criminal code. _ In accordance with these regulations the Bank of Japan began to issue convertible bank notes on the 9th of May, 1885; and the minister of finance (Count Matsukata), in view of the fact that every preparation was now fully made for the Government to resume specie payment, presented the following memorandum to the Government: Very soon after the restoration the Imperial Government was sorely pressed with the need of money to defray manifold expenses to which the Government was subjected, and as the only measure of relief they decided to issue paper money. The paper money was thus issued on the 19th day of the second (fourth) month of the first year of Meiji (1868) , and the period of circulation was limited to thirteen years. On the 28th day of the fifth month, second year of Meiji (1869), the system was changed, and it was publicly notified that the notes would be exchanged with new coins which were then to be issued. But the demand for the Government expenditures continued to be so great — owing to the facts that every piece of administration had to be newly begun, as well as to the fact that the Government had on hand the task of adjusting the disordered state of affairs resulting from the war just closed — that the promised conversion of paper money had to be practically abandoned. In the twelfth month of the fourth year of Meiji (1871) it was announced by imperial ordinance that the various kinds of paper money would all be exchanged with the new paper money. " In the following year the Government put forth a plan of redemption by inviting the people to have paper money exchanged with the Government bonds to be issued for that purpose. The kinsatsu (literally, gold notes) exchange bond regulations were thus issued in the third month of the fourth year of Meiji ?1872). Yet the amount thus exchanged was small, never accomplishing the purpose of reducing the amount of notes in circulation. After those days a series of political disturbances occurred, culminating in the rebellion in the southwestern provinces in 1877; and from these causes the financial distress of the Government grew greater step by step, so that the Government was led to issue another large batch of paper money. Thus, while the amount of paper circulating before the war of the rebellion stood at 93,323,156.3385 yen, it was increased by the addition of 27,000,000, issued during the war, and also by the issue of a large amount of national-bank notes. In 1878 the amount arose to such enormous proportions, and their prices fell so rapidly, that in the years 1880 and 1881 the depreciation amounted to as much as 50 per cent of the face value. This was due, doubtless, to their overissue, but also no less to the fact that the notes being inconvertible could not command enough credit. At the time the undersigned (Count Matsukata) accepted the present post the Government was most seriously engaged in an attempt to find some fit measure of relief. The measures I had the honor to suggest having been approved by the Government, and having received the august sanction, progress was made step by step in the line of financial reform. As such steps may be mentioned the reduction of the expenditures of the Government with the view to the contraction of paper currency; the increase of the specie reserve as preparatory to note redemption; the retirement of the paper money temporarily issued from the paper-money reserve; the founding of the Bank of Japan, by which the financial organization of the country was perfected; the revision of the national-bank regu- lations, by which a way was opened for the redemption of the national-bank notes; and lastly, the issuing of the convertible bank-notes regulations. During the first part of the period the amount of paper in circulation was 154,803,242.282 yen, of which 34,398,030 yen were national-bank notes and 14,500,000 yen were the temporary issues from the paper-money reserve. But this amount has been reduced during the past three years — including the present year, 1884 — by the redemption of 34,133,754.25 yen, of which 14,500,000 yen were issues from the paper-money reserve and 3,637,772 j'en were the notes of national banks. Of the Government paper money that remains, and is now in circulation, there are 89,909,230.032 yen. On the other hand, the increase of the Government's specie reserve has been not inconsiderable. In 1881 the specie reserve of the Government for the purpose of redemption amounted to but 7,385,997.16 yen. (This is the balance remaining of the amount of specie in the Government reserve on the 21st of October, 1881, after from that amount has been deducted 1,288,176.722 yen, being the amount employed in discounting foreign exchange bills.) Now, after but little over three years, in October of this year, the specie reserve will probably amount to 39,612,810.722 yen. Comparing this with the volume of paper money in circulation to-day, it comes up to almost naif the amount of the latter. ' That so much has been accumulated in times when there have been so many calls for expenditures must be attributed largely — though, no doubt, partly due to certain natural causes — to the earnestness of the Government in making the attempt to relieve the financial distress. In view of past circumstances and of the probable direction of future affairs, I can not but think the present to be the most oppor- tune moment for redeeming the inconvertible paper money. I pray most earnestly that the Government will approve these suggestions and not let go the present opportunity. I have no doubt that if these reforms are now effected that all fear of certain unexpected dis- turbances in commercial affairs will be quieted, and the much-needed facilities finally offered for the circulation of currency. But cur- rency reforms need to be effected with extreme caution on account of their many-sided influence. It will be well, therefore, to effect the change now contemplated gradually — ^not too suddenly. The 1st day of January, 1886, may be fixed as the date on which the proc- ess of redemption shall begin to take place. The present specie reserve may first be devoted to redemption, while the coins minted out of the redemption fund, year by year, may be set apart, as fast as produced, as reserves for further exchange. Let the business of exchange be intrusted entirely to the Bank of Japan and that bank instructed to exchange all the Government paper money that may come to that bank by way of ordinary circulation. Thus may the too sudden change be avoided and the reform effected smoothly and quietly. If these suggestions shall happily receive the august sanction, not only will the Government be able to accomplish its original purpose in regard to the paper money, but the credit of the Government, both at home and abroad, will be thereby assured, the national finance placed on a firm basis, and the future happiness of the people greatly enhanced. As the result of this memorandum the public was notified, through imperial ordinance No. XIV, of June, 1885, that the Govern- ment would commence to pay specie in exchange for Government paper money on January 1, 18,86. The ordinance runs as follows: IMPERIAL OEDINANCE NO. XIV, OF THE 6tH DAY OF JUNE, 1885. The paper money issued by the Government shall be gradually exchanged with silver coins from January, 1886, on, and the paper money thus exchanged shall be canceled. The rules concerning the process of making the said exchange shall be fixed hy the minister of finance, and the business intrusted to the Bank of Japan. As to the conversion of national-bank notes, the minister of finance, Mr. Matsukata (now count), saw the need of first amending the national-bank regulations, with reference to which he presented a memorandum to the Government. * * * The policy laid down in the memorandum was adopted by the Government, and by imperial ordinance of the 5th of May, 1883, the Government introduced certain amendments to the national-bank regulations. According to these amendments the term of business of national banks was to be twenty years, counting from the day they received their charters, and if they desired to continue their business after the expiration of their term they were to do so as private institutions; moreover, each bank was required to keep as a reserve fund for the redemption of notes money equal in amount of one-fourth the amount of notes issued by that bank, and effect redemption within its term of business according to the methods laid down in the following regulations. It was also stated in these amendments that persons desirous of having the bank notes exchanged for currency might do so by taking them to the Bank of Japan. » Manufactured in Germany; these new ones also inconvertible as the old ones. 2274 COMMEEOIAL JAPANS". [December, The various plans for the redemption of inconvertible paper money having been faithfully carried out, on the last day of June, 1888, the amount in circulation was found to be much reduced, of the Government paper money there being in circulation some 49,337,247 yen and of the national-bank notes some 28,-059,486 yen. The minister of finance, Mr. Matsukata (now count), seized this opportunity for introducing amendments into the convertible bank-notes regulations in order to establish the 'currency system of the country on a sound basis. The following memorandum was presented by him to the cabinet council in July of the same year: "While the Government issued paper money — notes issued by the Daijokwan — at the beginning of the restoration as an emergency measure for the relief of the financial distress of the time, the disadvantages of issuing inconvertible notes was plainly seen at the time, and hence the period of circulation of these notes was limited to thirteen years. It was hoped that after the expiration of this term of years the Government would be able to introduce a convertible system of paper currency. But the ever-increasing Government expenditures— which were owing to the fact that every department of the Government as well as public enterprises of all kinds had to be all at once either reformed or newly begun— compelled the Government to forego the first plan, and instead of redeeming the paper money in circulation, they kept adding to that amount. In 1878 the depreciation of notes was so striking that the Government, getting alarmed, made every effort to bring about the introduction of a convertible system. These efforts were now directed on the one hand toward the contraction by making partial redemption of the amount in circulation, and on the other toward increasing the specie reserve which was_ intended to serve as a fund for redemption. "Owing to these measures the price of paper returned to its face value, and, in June, 1885, the Government publicly notified its determination, as has been previously stated, to begin the gradual redemption of the Government paper money. After this decisive measure had been adopted, still further steps were taken in succession toward effecting the entire redemption of the Government paper money by substituting for it the system of convertible bank notes. Yet, on the other hand, the amount of the paper money already issued was so great that, notwithstanding every possible effort on the part of the Government, it has not yet been all redeemed. This is indeed to be deeply regretted. Now, after careful examination of the method^ and processes of the banking operations of Europe and America, which ma,y possibly be taken as examples for our present case, I have come to the conclusion that to enlarge the privileges of the Bank of Japan in regard to its power of issiiing notes, and then to borrow a portion of its notes, at a low rate of interest or without interest, and employ them for redeeming the Government paper money, would be, under the circumstances, the best possible method that can be found. These reasons lead me to submit to the cabinet council for its careful consideration a draft of the amendments to be introduced in the convertible bank-notes regulations, with a statement of reasons for these amendments, and some tables." ( Note.-— The above-mentioned statement of reasons and tables is now omitted. ) The policy embodied in this memorandum being approved by the Government, the public was notified, through imperial ordinance No. LIX, of August, 1888, of the introduction of amendments in the convertible bank-notes regulations. These amendments run as follows: imperial ordinance no. hx, of the 1st day of august, 1888. Article II. The Bank of Japan shall keep gold or silver coins, or bullion of those metals, as a conversion reserve, equal in amount to the amount of the convertible bank notes issued. The Bank of Japan may, outside the provisions of the preceding paragraph, further issue convertible bank'notes, on the security of Government bonds or treasury bills, or other bonds and commercial bills of a reliable nature, within the limits of 70,000,000 yen. Of this amount, however, 27,000,000 shall be set apart to be issued after the 1st day of January, 1889, in installment, from time to time, in proportion to the amount of the national-bank notes redeemed. The Bank of Japan may, outside of the provisions of the two preceding paragraphs, make still further an issue of convertible bank notes, in order to meet some special emergency of the market, and with the special permission of the minister of finance, on the security of Government bonds or treasury bills, or other bonds and commercial bills of a reliable nature. The notes shall be subject to a special tax of not less than 5 per cent per annum, the rate of interest to be fixed in each case by the minister of finance. The Bank of Japan shall supply by way of loan not more than 22,000,000 yen to the Government, at the interest of 2 per cent per annum, for the purpose of redeeming the Government paper money. The loan shall be without interest after 1898. The period of time within which this loan shall be repaid by the Government and the rate of annual installment shall be fixed by the minister of finance. * * * In March, 1890, the Government adopted the plan of setting apart as a redemption reserve a sum of 10,000,000 out of the reserve fund in order to accomplish the entire withdrawal of the Government paper money. * * * In these ways both the Government paper money and the national-bank notes were all exchanged with the convertible silver notes of the Bank of Japan. As a result of thus replacing the inconvertible paper money with the convertible silver notes, Japan now became a de facto silver-standard country. * * * The report then details the methods adopted by the Government through additional taxation and otherwise for the creation of a sinking fund and reserve fund, and adds: the state of affairs which necessitated the coinage reform of 1897. The adjustment of the paper currency, accomplished in 1886, prepared the country to reap all the benefits of a scientific system of coinage. The rate of interest now gradually became low, the commercial and industrial enterprises began to rapidly expand, the volume of foreign trade of the country increased greatly; in a word, there took place a marked improvement in the economic conditions of the country. Yet, on the other hand, Japan became a de facto silver-standard country, and all the fluctuations of the price of silver in the world's market came to exercise an immediate influence on her economic and financial condition. the depreciation of silver and the coinage reforms in foreign countries. Before 1873 the price of- silver did not show great fluctuations, the ratio between gold and silver standing, as a rule, at 1 of gold to 15.5 of silver. About 1871, however, there beg^n to appear causes which flnally led to its sudden fall in recent years. The chief among these causes were two — the greatly increased annual output of silver since 1871, and the establishment of the German Empire. The Government of the united Germany immediately took up the scheme of unifying the coinage systems in vogue in the different portions of the Empire by replacing with gold coins the silver currency then in use. It issued, therefore, a new coinage law, stopped coining standard silver pieces, and in 1873 put into effect the gold-standard system. It soon began to sell large quantities of silver, which had the immediate effect of causing depreciation. The bimetallic countries of Europe now saw the danger of being turned into silver countries, so that they became constrained to adopt the lines of policy which had the tendency of making them gold-standard countries. Now, these lines of policy all aimed at the expulsion of silver and the absorption of gold. In 1873 the United States of America adopted a gold standard, stopped coining silver dollars (except silver trade dollars), and limited the legal-tender amount of the silver dollar to $5. France put a limit to the amount of silver deposits received at its mints; and Sweden and Norway, too, adopted a gold standard, discarding its standard siver coins, in 1874. The countries of the Latin Union also put a limit to the coinage of standard silver coins, Holland stopping the free coinage of silver in 1875, and Switzerland deciding to cease entirely the minting of silver coins. In 1876 France, Belgium, Spain, and Russia followed these examples, and the United States of America took away the legal-tender qualifications of the silver trade dollar. These measures all assisted to bring about the sudden fall in the price of silver, so that in 1876 the average rate for the year stood at 1 of gold to 17.88 of silver. At this stage the countries which had in posssession large stocks of silver, or which annually produced it in large quantities, took measures intended to stop the fall of the price of silver. In 1878 the Government of the United States promulgated what is called the 1901.] OOMMEEOIAL JAPAN. 2275 Bland Act, according to -whicli the American Government was to buy silver in order to coin it into money, hoping in this way to stop its depreciation. In 1890, again, this Bland Act was replaced by the Sherman Act, which authorized the Government to greatly increase the amount of its annual purchase of silver. These measures, however, did not have the least effect in checking the fall. The rate of gold and silver, which was, on an average, 1 of gold to 18 of silver in 1879, became 1 of gold to over 19 of silver in 1885. After that year the fall became still more marked, so that while the average rate in 1891 was 1 of gold to 20.92 of silver, it became in 1892 1 of gold to 23.72 of silver, at last the fall reaching in 1893 the rate of 1 of gold to 26.49 of silver. Thus the prospects of silver became daily more gloomy. This led Austjia-Jlungary in 1892 to adopt a gold standard and the United States to repeal the Sherman Act in 1893. Euseia, too, though it had allowed the free coinage of silver for a time, stopped it again in 1893. In 1894 Persia took the same course, while India^place'd a tariff of 5 per cent on all the imports of silver. In 1895 Chile and in 1896 Costa Rica both adopted a gold standard; Russia at the same time showing signs of taking the same course, and in 1894 the fall in the price of silver reached as low a rate as 1 of gold to 32.56 of silver (being the average rate for the year). In 1895, however, silver showed sims of appreciation, the average rate for that year being 1 of gold to 31.60 of silver, and the rate becoming, in 1896, 1 of gold to 30.66 of silver. Yet this appreciation was merely temporary, owing to certain obvious causes, one of which was an erroneous supposition that the Chinese indemnity would be paid in silver, while the other was a widespread conjecture that the silver party would win in the Presidential election of the United States. When, therefore, these suppositions were both proved to be unfounded, in 1897 silver again began to fall, reaching at theJowest point to 1 of gold to 39.70 (or more) of silver, making the average for the year 1 of gold to 34.34 of silver. " * * * CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH CALLED TOK THE COINAGE REFORM OF JAPAN, AND THE RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED BY THE COINAGE INVESTIGATION COMMISSION. As was narrated in the previous section, the depreciation of the price of silver grew daily greater, and there seemed to be no end to sudden fluctuations. In consequence, foreign countries were led one by one to adopt a gold standard. Under these circumstances Japan, asade facto silver-standard country (since the establishment of the convertible paper-money system in 1886), could not but suffer from this depreciation. The constant fluctuations in the rate of exchange took away from foreign trade an unchanging standard of value and prevented it from making normal and healthy growth; As a result the price of commodities rose rapidly, the spirit of speculation became rampant, and, finally, the State expenditures began to increase on account of this depreciation; in a word, there took place a general derangement of the national economy. It was now feared that the further maintenance of a silver standard would be against the far- reaching interest of the country. The finance minister of the time, Mr. Watanabe Kunitake (now viscount) , presented a memorandum on the 11th of September, 1893, advocating the necessity of conducting investigations in regard to the monetary policy of the country, advising for that purpose the appointment of a commission. The following is the text of the memorandum: "The recent fluctuations in the ratio between gold and silver have exerted an extraordinary influence on the economic affairs of the world, and the governments of all countries have been led to pay the greatest attention to the method of averting further calamities from the same source. In July of last year the Austrian Government adopted a gold-standard in place of the silver-standard- system, while the International Monetary Congress, which was to meet in Brussels, with the avowed object of discussing measures of the price of silver, has not been convened. These things have tended to assist the rapid depreciation of silver. In addition to these, the Indian government suddenly stopped the free coinage of silver, and the American Government seems to be strongly inclined to repeal the Sherman Act; in fact, the bill for that object is now under consideration in the United States Congress. It is thns inevitable that the depreciation of silver will yet continue to increase. For these reasons the ratio between gold and silver is in a constant fluctuation, in some cases bringing international trade almost to a standstill. It is but natural, therefore, that silver-using countries of the world should, with a view to the protection of their national interest, take steps to conduct investigations concerning the question of coinage. Some countries have already put into effect the results of such investigations. ' ' The coinage system of our country was a gold standard, according to the new coinage regulations'of 1871. However, when, in 1878, the 1-yen silver coin, which had been coined for circulation within the limits of the treaty ports only, was made legal tender throughout the country by Imperial ordinance No. XII of 1878, there came into vogue the double-standard system of gold and silver. But this has been further changed, and we are living under a de facto silver-standard system. For this reason these fluctuations in the price of silver exert an immense influence on the economy and flnance of the country. Moreover, since the Indian government has recently under- taken to reform its coinage, the people of ail classes of our country have become excited with the liveliest anxiety as to the probable future of silver coinage. Discussions on the subject are rife all over the country, and business men are in fear and trembling, not knowing what course to take. For these reasons it seams to me to be a most proper course to take for the Government to appoint a commission, composed of men experienced and learned in economic matters; to instruct that commission to conduct investigations as to the causes and effects of recent fluctuations in the ratio between gold and silver, especially their effects on the past, present, and future of our national economy; to make inquiries on the question whether there be need of reforming the coinage system of the country; if so, what system to choose and what means to adopt toward effecting that reform. I look forward to the time when the researches of such a commission will be completed, with hopes that the Government will then be able to pacify the present anxieties of the nation at large, as well as to fix upon a line of monetary policy to pursue at this important juncture. I adjoin herewith the draft of the Imperial ordinance respecting the appointment of the commission and of the estimate of the expenses connected with that commission. These are now respectfully submitted for the consideration of the cabinet." The scheme embodied in the preceding memorandum was adopted by the Government, and the regulations concerning the coinage investigation commission were promulgated by Imperial ordinance No. CXIII, on the 14th of October, 1893. According to these regulations the commission was appointed, and the first thing they did was to choose a subcommittee to make preliminary researches, the result of which being reported to the commission, the latter held several meetings in which long and exhaustive discussions took place. Finally, in July, 1896, the commission presented the report of its resolution to the minister of flnance. The main points in that report are as follows: CI) The resolution respecting item No. 1 of Article I of Imperial ordinance No. CXIII, 1893. On this subject the commission accepted the result of the researches conducted by the subcommittee, and after further investigations concerning the recent fluctuations in the ratio between gold and silver, as well as^ concerning the relative value of gold and silver as against commodities, gave the following nine points aa the causes of recent fluctuations: a. Increase in the output of silver. 6. Reduction in the expense of producing silver. c. The fact that there has been less demand for silver for coinage in proportion to its increased output. d. Decrease of the demand for silver for works of art. e' The fact that the amount of silver in existence, which is directly influenced by the laws of supply and demand, is comparativ-ely small, 'while the yearly supply of silver is comparatively large. _ ^ ^^ ^^ ^ ^ . ■ j.u . . c ■, f. The fact that the rate of increase m the output of gold is less than the rate of mcrease m the output of silver. g. Increased demand for gold for coinage. h. Increased demand for gold for works of art. i Increase of the tendency to hoard gold. In regard to the general effect of the recent fluctuations the following resolutions were taken: First, as to their effect in silver countries- second, in the gold countries, and, third, on the economic relations between gold and silver countries. First, as to their effects in silver countries: a. Increase of exports. 6. Rise of the price of commodities. ^ , ^, ^ • ^ a ^ e Reduction in the liabilities of debtors and of the taxpayers paymg flxed rates. 2276 OOMMEEGIAIi JAPAiT. tDECEMBER, d. The prosperity in agriculture. e. The growth in trade. /. Increase of the public revenue from tax and other sources. g. The increased demand for laborers. h. Increase of the State expenditures. i. Sufferings of the people who Uve on salaries or wages. j. Loss to the creditors. k. The growth of speculative enterprises. I. Rise in the price of commodities imported from gold countries and the consequent decrease of imports. Second, as to the effects in gold countries: a. Proiit to the creditors. b. Fall in the price of commodities imported from silver countries. c. Eeduction in the State expsnditures. d. Fall in the price of commodities. , e. The loss to debtors and to the taxpayers paying fixed rates. /. The stagnation of commerce and industry. g. Reduction in the rate of interest. h. Sufferings of the agricultural classes. i. Eeduction of the public revenue from taxes and other sources. j. Sufferings of the employers who pay out salaries and wages. k. The reduced demand for laborers. I. Increase of the imports from silver countries. Third, in regard to the effects on the economic relations between the gold and silver countries: a. The stagnation of business transactions between the silver and gold countries. 6. Eeduction in the investment of capital made from gold countries in silver countries. (2) Eesolutions in regard to item No. 2 of Article I of the Imperial ordinance. a. The increase of export. 6. Eise in the price of commodities. c. Eeduction in the liabilities of debtors and taxpayers paying fixed rates. d. The prosperity in agriculture. e. The growth of trade and industry. /. Increase of the revenue from taxes and other sources. g. Increase of the demand for laborers. h. Increase of the State expenditures. I. Sufferings of the people who Uve on salaries and wages. j. Loss to the creditors. k. The growth of speculative enterprises. I. Else in the price of commodities imported from gold countries, m. Growth of habits of luxury. n. The free coinage at the mint acts as inducement to the importation of silver. 0. Stagnation of the business transactions between Japan and gold countries. p. Eeduction in the investment of capital made in this country from gold countries. In the discussion of the question whether the recent fluctuations in the ratio between gold and silver were for the advantage or disadvantage of the country, the commission was at first divided, one part holding the opinion that the economic effect of these fluctua- tions was on the whole to the advantage of the country, while the other part held to the view that the effect was not for the permanent and general advantage of this country. On taking votes, however, the former opinion prevailed, which was accordingly reported as the resolution of the commission. (3) Tlie resolutions of the commission in regard to item No. 3 of Article I of the imperial ordinance: In regard to this item, the subcommittee took vote on the question whether there was an immediate need of making changes in the present coinage system of the comitry, leaving out the question whether there may not be such a need at some future time, if not now. When the commission came to take vote, however, the question was enlarged so as to include the latter question also, and the final decision was, in consequence of this enlargement of the question, contrary to the conclusion of the subcommittee and in favor of making changes. Yet, with reference to the reasons for making these changes, the kind of standard to be adopted, and the time and method of effecting these changes, the commission was by no means unanimous. It was, therefore, thought advisable to state separately these various opinions in the report, as also the opinion of the minority, who held that there was no need of making changes, the latter being presented as a minority report. MAIN OUTLINE OF THE OPINIONS. 1. That there is need of making changes in the present coinage system. 1. Its reasons: A. The advantages that may accrue to the country from the recent fluctuations in the ratio between gold and silver being limited in time and sphere, we must not be misled by the thought of these advantages, but look beyond to the permanent and general good of the nation at large, and adopt a coinage system which shall be in harmony with the coinage systems of the countries in closest relation to our own. B. That there are certain benefits which accrue to the country from the fluctuations in the ratio between gold and silver we willingly grant; but, on the other hand, we need to adopt a system of coinage which, while according to the traditions of our country, shall also be able to meet the need of these times in view of the changed condition of things abroad, i. e., to keep this country in accord with the economical progress made abroad and with the changes effected in the coinage systems of foreign lands. C. We grant the greatness of the beneflts which the country is enjoying from the recent fluctuations in the ratio between gold and silver. Yet there is a tendency abroad to bring about a reaction ia the contrary direction. It will be needful, therefore, for Japan to adopt a coinage system which shall be able to meet the effects of such a reaction. D. While we grant that the benefits to the country from the recent fluctuations in the ratio between gold and silver are comparatively large, yet, on the other hand, these fluctuations have had. the effect of greatly raising the price of commodities and bringing about the present economic derangement. For this reason it will be necessary to adopt a coinage system which shall be free from these fluctuations. 2. In regard to the kind of new standard to be adopted: A. The gold standard. a. The unlimited circulation of silver coinage is not to be permitted. 6. The 1-yen silver coin now in circulation to be permitted to circulate without limit at a certain fixed rate of exchange, but its free coinage to be stopped. B. The bimetallic standard. • a. The alliance of the leading nations of the world needed for the purpose, 6. The alliance of the leading nations not needed. C. As to the mode of effecting these changes. a. To begin making preparations at once, with a view of realizing the scheme 1901-] OOMMEECIAL JAPAlf. 2277 5. To stop for the present with making preparations only. c. To wait for some future opportune moment. II. That there ia no necessity of making changes in the present coinage system of the country. (Eeport of the minority. ) The various opinions advanced in support of this proposition are: A. The advantages to the country of the effect of fluctuations in the ratio between gold and silver are great. It will be to the country's benefit to maintain the present system in future. B. Since the advantages accruing to the country from these fluctuations are great, it will be the best policy for the country to wait without making changes till the formation of an international bimetallic union and then to join the union. C. We grant the advantages the country is deriving from these fluctuations, but as to the future line of policy which the comitry ought to pursue in regard to its coinage system we hesitate to express any opinion. In making the above resolutions eight members voted for the resolution advocating the need of making changes, while seven voted for maintaining the present system unchanged. Among those who advocated the necessity of making changes, six advocated the adoption of a gold standard, while two advocated a bimetallic system. Thus the majority of the . commission were of the opinion that there was a necessity of making changes in the present coinage system of the country, and the majority again of those who advocated the need of making changes were in favor of adopting a gold standard. _ It was thus clearly shown that the coinage reform and the adoption of a gold standard was the pressing necessity of the time. 1 et the difficulty of creating at once the large gold reserve necessary in order to effect this reform kept the Government from taking steps forward in that direction, until the Chinese indemnity enabled the Government to plan for creating this necessary gold reserve. The report then states the methods by which the Chinese indemnity, which, under the original agreement, was to have been paid in Kupong (silver) taels, was finally, under a new agreement, paid in British coin (gold), and the stock of gold thus utilized for use in the adoption of the gold standard, and adds: Since now the way was opened for the creation of a gold reserve, as was narrated in the last section of the previous chapter, the finance minister, Count Mateukata, seeing that the time was fully ripe for putting into effect the plan of coinage reform, on the 25th February, 1897 (thirtieth year of Meiji), submitted the drafts of the coinage law, with its subsidiary laws, to the cabinet council. The polity sketched in the memorandum being adopted by the cabinet, the Government introduced into the Diet on the 1st day of March, 1897, the drafts of the coinage law and other subsidiary laws. The first of these laws took place on the 3d day of March. * * * The bills recommended introduced to the House of Eepresentatives were intrusted to a committee of 27 members, who approved them as a whole. The committee reported on the bill to the House on the 10th day of March. During the discussion which followed there were a few opinions advanced in opposition, and some attempts were made at amendment, but in the end these bills were passed in the House as a whole, without amendment, and were forwarded duly to the House of Peers. • In the Hov(^e of Peers these bills went into first reading on the 15th day of March, and were intrusted to a committee of 15 members, who reported on them to the House on the 23d, and the bills were'passed by the House of Peers also without a single amendment. In this way where the coinage law and the subsidiary law passed by the Diet, and, after receiving the august sanction, were promulgated on the 26th day of March, 1897. * * « The important sections of the new coinage law are given below, the sections omitted relating merely to the limit of deviation in fineness, abrasion, etc. - THE COINAGE LAW. Article I. The power of minting and issuing coin belongs to the Government. Art. II. The weight of 2 f iin of pure gold shall be the unit of the coinage and shall be called yen. Akt. III. The coins shall be of nine denominations, as follows: Gold coin, consisting of 20-yen, 10-yen, and 5-yen pieces; silver coin, consisting of 50-seii, 20-sen, and 10-sen pieces; nickel coin, consisting of 5-sen pieces; bronze coin, consisting of 1-sen and 5-rin pieces. Art. IV. The decimal method shall be followed in the calculation of coinage, one-hundredth part of 1 yen being called sen, and one-tenth part of 1 sen being called rin. Art. V. The quality of the coins shall be as follows: 1. Gold coin, 900 parts of pure gold and 100 parts of copper. 2. Silver coin, 800 parts of pure silver and 200 parts of copper. 3. Nickel coin, 250 parts of nickel and 750 parts of copper. 4. Bronze coin, 950 parts Qf copper, 40 parte of tin, and 10 parts of zinc. Aht. VI. The weights of the coins shall be as follows: 1. The 20-yen gold piece shall weigh 4 momme, 4 fiin, 4 rin, 4.4 mo (or, grams, 16.6665). 2. The 10-yen gold piece shall weigh 2 momme, 2 fiin, 2 rin, 2.2 mo (or, grams, 8.3338). 3. The 5-yen gold piece shall weigh 1 momme, 1 fiin, 1 rin, and 1.1 mo (or, grams, 4.1666). 4. The 50-sen silver piece shall weigh 3 momme, 5 fiin, 9 rin, and 4.2 mo (or, grams, 13.4783). 5. The 20-sen silver piece shall weigh 1 momme, 4 fiin, 3 rin, and 7.7 mo (or, grams, 5.3914). 6. The 10-sen silver piece shall weigh 7 fiin, 1 rin, and 8.8 mo (or, grams, 2.6955). 7. The nickel piece shall weigh 1 momme, 2 fiin, 4 rin, and 4.1 mo (or, grams, 4.6654). 8. The 1-sen bronze piece shall weigh 1 momjcne, 9 fiin, and 0.8 mo (or, grams, 7.1280). 9. The 5-rin bronze piece shall weigh 9 fiin, 5 rin, and 0.4 mo (or, grams, 3.5640). Akt. VII. The gold coins shall be legal tender up to any amount. The silver coins shall be legal tender up to any amount of 10 yen. The nickel and bronze coins shall be legal tender up to the amount of 1 yen. * * * Aet. XIV. Should any person deposit gold bullion and apply to have it minted into gold coin, the Government shall grant the application. APPENDIX. Aet. XV. The gold coins already issued shall circulate at double the value of the gold coins to be issued under the provisions of this law. Aet. XVI. The 1-yen silver coin hitherto Lssued shall be gradually exchanged for gold coin, according to the convenience of the Government, at the rate of 1 gold yen for 1 silver yen. Pending the completion of that exchange, 1-yen silver coin shall be legal tender to any amount, at the rate of 1 silver yen for 1 gold yen, and the prohibition of their circulation shall be announced six months in advance by imperial ordinance. If these coins are not presented for exchange within the period of five full years, reckoning from the day on which their circulation is prohibited, they shall be regarded thenceforth as bullion. Aet. XVII. The 5-yen silver coin and the copper coins hitherto issued shall continue in circulation as before. Art. XVIII. From the day of the promulgation of this law, the minting of the silver 1 yen shall cease; but this prohibition shall not apply to silver bullion deposited at the Government mint prior to that date. Aet. XIX. All laws or ordinances hitherto issued that confiict with the provisions of this law are hereby rescinded. Aet! XX. With the exception of Article XVIII this law shall go into operation from the 1st day of October, 1897. LAW NO. XVII OF THE 26tH DAY OV MARCH, 1897 — BEGDLATIONS GOVERNING THE SPECIAL COMPTABILITE OF THE COINAGE ADJUSTMENT FUNDS. Aeticle I. The Government shall set apart a fund for the exchange and retirement of 1-yen silver coin and of coins inconvenient for circulation. ' The fund shall be called the coinage adjustment fund, and its income and expenditures kept as special comptabilite, separate from the general account of the Government. No. 6 19 2278 OOMMEEOIAL JAPAN. [Dectmber, Aet. II. All profits arising from seigniorage and other items at the mint, resulting under a special comptabilite after 1897, shall be turned into the coinage adjustment fund. Art. III. When 1-yen silver coin withdrawn from circulation through exchange, or other coins withdrawn from circulation on account of their inconvenience, are to be sold as bullion, such sales may be transacted by the Government by any contract it may choose to enter into. Now, such being the coinage law and the subsidiary laws, the main points in the practical scheme of executing the reform set on foot by the finance minister may be stated as follows: I. To mint the new gold coins with gold bullion bought with the Chinese indemnity money. II. To exchange with gold coin the 1-yen sUver coins and the silver promissory notes of the mint previously issued. Now that gold was made the standard of coinage, according to the coinage law, it is very clear that the silver 1 yen, which had hitherto occupied the position of the unit of coinage, ought to be exchanged for gold coins. Should, however, the actual amount of these silver yen brought in for exchange exceed their estimated amount, it would not only be impossible to accomplish the work of exchange, but also the latter fact would at once destroy the very basis of the new coinage system. For this reason careful researches were made as to the amount of the silver yen which would be brought in for exchange with gold coins. The estimated amoimts stood as follows: Yen. 1-yen silver coin circulating at home 39, 320, 000 1-yen silver coin which would be brought back from abroad for exchange 10, 000, 000 Silver bullion corresponding to the promissory notes of the mint 80, 000, 000 Total _ 79,320,000 III. As to the method of disposal of the silver yen withdrawn from circulation: The total amount of the silver yen to be exchanged, some 79,000,000 in all, according to the estimate in the preceding paragraph, shall be disposed of partly by minting them into subsidiary coins, according to the purposes explained under Paragraph V, and partly by transporting them abroad for sale, after disfiguring them so as to make them legally unfit for circulation at home. IV. As to the disposal of the silver bullion corresponding to the promissory notes of the mint: Although with the promulgation of the coinage law of 1897 the further coining of silver yen was to cease, there must be provided a means for the disposal of the silver bullion corresponding to the promissory notes of the mint. It was intended now to dispose of it in the same way as the silver yen, by partly devoting it to minting subsidiary coins and partly selling it abroad. V. To make an increased issue of subsidiary silver coins, the gold piece which would correspond with 1 yen, if coined, would be so small in weight as to be inconvenient for daily transactions. For this reason no provision was made in the coinage law for the minting of 1-yen gold pieces. Yet in order to keep firm the foundations of our coinage system the people must be supplied with hard money for the purposes of small daily transactions. There was therefore the more need of making an increased issue of subsidiary coins, since not only were the Government paper money and national-bank notes to be retired; but the convertible 1-yen notes, which were being largely used in the smaller transactions among the people, were to be reduced in amount. For these reasons it was now planned to make the increased issue of subsidiary coins, consisting of 50-sen and other smaller coins. Such, in general, were the lines of policy according to which the coinage law was carried into operation. * * * REGULATIONS CONCERNING THE EXCHANGE. OF 1-YEN SILVER COINS. In accordance with the Article XVI of the coinage law (law No. XVI of 1897), where it is provided that 1-yen silver coins shall be exchanged gradually, at the rate of 1 yen gold for 1 yen silver, the Government now issued regulations concerning the exchange of l-yen silver coins by finance department notification No. LXI of September 21, 1897. The r^ulations run as follows: FINANCE DEPARTMENT NOTIFICATION NO. LXI OF THE 21ST DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1897. From the 1st day of October, this year, 1-yen silver coins hitherto issued shall be gradually exchanged with gold coins. Persons desirous of having them thus exchanged may apply at the central Government treasury. The application may be made at.the Yokohama Specie Bank and its branch ofiice at Kobe, both of which act as agencies for the Nippon Ginko, and the Government treasuries in different parts of the country, where the officials in charge will accommodate the applicants by getting the coins exchanged at the central treasury. In regard to the circulation of the 1-yen silver coins, there was issued on the 18th of September, 1897, imperial ordinance No. CCCXXXVIII, as follows: IMPERIAL ORDINANCE KO. CCCXXXVIII OF THE 18tH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 189r. The circulation of 1-yen silver coins hitherto issued is prohibited after the 1st day of April, 1898. . While the circulation of 1-yen silver coins was thus to cease altogether on April 1, 1898, a term of full five years after these coins ceased to circulate was allowed for making their exchange. Yet, on the other hand, when the actual state of anairs was studied soon after they ceased to circulate, as well as the state of affairs since October of the previous year (1897), at which date the Government had begun to make the exchange, it was seen that the work of exchange had progressed with unexpected speed, so much so that there was no need to further continue making the exchange. In fact, there was not only no need, but some danger that, if the five-year period was allowed to remain, counterfeit 1-yen pieces might be imported from abroad. For these reasons, already at the end of 1897, Count Matsukata, finance minister at that time, presented to the cabinet a draft of the law for the shortening of the period allowed for the exchange of 1-yen silver coins. Yet, owing to the dissolution of the Imperial Diet, that draft was never laid before the houses. When Count Inouye succeeded Count Matsukata as finance minister, he also saw the need of cutting short the five-year period, and the draft of the law to that effect laid before the extraordinary meeting of the Diet was passed by both houses. The draft became law No. V of the 10th of June, 1898, and runs as follows: : LAW NO. V OF THE IDtH DAY OF JUNE, 1898. No exchange of 1-yen silver coins shall take place after the 31st day of July, 1898. While it had been the rule hitherto to exchange 1-yen silver pieces with gold coins and transact the business connected with that exchange only at the central treasury (the treasuries in different parts of the country simply accommodating themselves in assisting applicants to get the exchange made at the central Government treasury), the Government regarded it necessary to make certain changes in connection with the process of exchange in order to make sure that there should be no 1-yen silver coins left over unexchanged on account of the shortening of the five-year period. These changes were embodied in the finance department notification No. XLIX of June 15, 1898, and are as follows: FINANCE DEPARTMENT NOTIFICATION NO. XLIX OF THE 15tH DAY OF JUNE, 1898. I. Any person desirous of getting the 1-yen silver coin exchanged for any kind of currency may apply during the period allowed for its exchange at any of the Government treasuries and subtreasuries. II. The 1-yen silver coin may be used in the payment of taxes or in otherwise making payment to the Government during the period allowed for its exchange. * * * The mint now immediately increased its working capacity, began minting these coins, and worked both day and night scarcely without cessation, so that by the prescribed day — i. e., September 30 — ^it succeeded in turning out 49,587,160 yen of the new gold coins. Tiie original estimate of the new coins to be minted was now increased, and it was decided to coin by the 31st day of March, 1898, in addition to the amount mentioned above, 500,000 yen of 5-yen gold pieces and 24,500,000 yen of 10-yen gold pieces; total, 25,000,000 yen, 1901.] GOMMEKOIAL JAPAN. 2279 making the revised total of the new gold coins to be issued 73,000,000 yen altogether. Accordingly the amount of new gold coins turned out by the mint from October, 1897, to April, 1898, was altogether 24,868,575 yen. The total sum of gold coins minted by the Government between April, 1897, and April, 1898, in preparation for effecting the coinage reform was thus altogether 74,455,735 yen, and this amount was now devoted to making the exchange of silver yen. THE MINTING OF SDBSIDIAEY SILVER COINS. In order to place the currency system of a country on a sound basis, it is essential that a sufficient supply of coins be provided for the use of the community at large. It is particularly important that coins be used by the people in their smaller daily transactions. Now, the amount of 1-yen convertible notes issued by the Bank of Japan had reached the vast siun of over 66,000,000 (estimate at the end of March, 1897). And since a greater portion of these notes was being used in daily transactions by the people, it was thought proper to order the Bank of Japan to commence withdrawing gradually its 1-yen convertible notes, along with the adoption of the gold standard, in order that the Government ioight issue hard money in their place; but in regard to the nature of the hard money to be thus issued in exchange for these notes it was feared that 1-yen gold pieces, if coined, would be too small, and hence inconvenient for handling. For this reason in the coinage law no provision was made for the minting of gold 1-yen. Accordingly the Government adopted the plan of issuing an additional amount of subsidiary silver coins, consisting of 50, 20, and 10 sen pieces, and of making them take the place of 1-yen convertible notes, bo far as these were being used in daily transactions by the people. THE WITHDHAWAL FEOM CIRCULATION OF THE 1-YEN SILVER COIN — THE PREPARATIONS FOR EXCHANGING 1-YEN SILVER COINS. By Article XVI of the coinage law of 1897 (law No. XVI), it was provided that all the 1-yen silver coins then in circulation should be, at the convenience of the Government, exchanged at the rate of 1-yen gold for 1-yen silver. As this law was to be put in force on the 1st day of October of the same year, the Government at once took up the work of providing the fund needed for the exchange of 1-yen silver coins. But early in July of the same year some of the foreim banks at our treaty ports, being doubtful as to the actual working of the coinage law, sent out circulars to their customers notifying them to the effect that, after the 1st of October, those banks should exercise the hberty of choosing either gold or silver coins in making specie payments. Under these circumstances, the outlook was not free from the danger that if things were allowed to proceed as they were they would eventually lead to a change in the market ratio between gold and silver; and, perceiving that in order to prevent such a contingency it would be a matter of the most urgent necessity to effect the change of 1-yen silver coins with all possible dispatch and promptness, the finance minister (Count Matsukata) decided on adopting the following course: 1. On the 1st day of October to get all the 1-yen silver coins in the possession of the Bank of Japan and of the Yokohama Specie Bank exchanged for the gold coins in the possession of the Government. 2. To allow foreign banks in the treaty ports to get the 1-yen silver coins in their possession exchanged for gold coins after the 1st day of October, the transactions connected with this business to be intrusted to the Bank of Japan. 3. In view of the above-mentioned course taken by the Government, to instruct the Yokohama Specie Bank and its branches to use gold in all their payments. 4. That the president of the Bank of Japan should endeavor to induce the foreign banks to also make their payments in gold. Then, on the ISth of July, the following instruction was issued to the Bank of Japan: Since the coinage law goes into operation on the 1st day of October of the current year, the Bank of Japan is hereby ordered to trndertake the exchange of 1-yen silver coins now in circulation according to the following method: 1. One-yen silver coins which may be in the possession of the Bank of Japan on the 1st day of October, as well as those that may come into its possession after that date, the bank shall get exchanged for gold coins at the Government treasury. 2. As r^ards 1-yen silver coins in the possession of the Yokohama Specie Bank and of the foreign banks in the treaty ports after the 1st day of October of this year, the bank shall endeavor to persuade their possessors to exchange them for gold coins. 3. As regards all payments made at the head office of the Yokohama Specie Bank, whether these payments are made by it as an agency of the Bank of Japan or not, the Bank of Japan shall see that after the 1st day of October those payments are made entirely in gold coins. The exchange of l-yen silver coins for gold coins is a matter requiring great care on the part of the Government, since it is virtually connected with the successful working of the coinage law; for it would be a very grave thing, indeed, if, on account of the lack of promptness in exchanging 1-yen silver for gold coins, there should be produced a change in the ratio between gold and silver. Particular care and caution need to be exercised therefore, both preceding and following the going into operation of the coinage law; and by entering into a very thorough cousultation on this matter with the Yokohama Specie Bank, and also by ascertaining the state of feeling among foreign bankers, the Bank of Japan shall regulate things in such a way as to bring about the successful completion of this work of exchange. In accordance with the foregoing instruction, the Bank of Japan commenced making the necessary preparations for the coming event, while the Yokohoma Specie Baaak, after consulting with the Bank of Japan, sent out the following circular to its customers: ' ' We beg herewith to state that on and after the 1st day of October of this year we shall meet all our obligations, which are already due to our customers or which will become due, with gold coins, regardless of our promise to pay them in silver. Further, while this bank will accept silvei- coin in payments made to it, silver coin will not be used in making our payments. "We remain, etc." P. S. — We beg to further notify our customers that we have received orders to exchange for gold coin on demand after the date mentioned above the convertible notes of the Bank of Japan up to any arhount. This course of action had the effect of dispelling the doubt at first entertained by foreigners concerning the actual working of the coinage law, and the foreign exchange also came to resume its normal rate. Then, besides, as stated in Section IV, Chapter V, the regulations for the exchange of 1-yen silver coins were issued by the finance department notification No. LXI of the 21st of September, same year. In the meanwhile, the work of minting new gold coins to be used for exchanging the silver yen having made good progress while that of coining subsidiary currency to fill the place of retired 1-yen silver pieces was also completed, the finance minister (Count Matsukata) on the 2d day of September submitted to the cabinet council a measure for forbidding the circulation of the 1-yen silver coins after the 1st day of April, 1898. * * * Accordingly the Government decided to prohibit the circulation of 1-yen silver coins after the 1st day of April, 1898, and to announce the fact of that prohibition by imperial ordinance No. CCCXXXVIII of the 18th day of September. The imperial ordinance runs as follows: IMPERIAL ORDINANCE NO. CCCXXXVIII OF THE 18tH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1897. The circulation of 1-yen silver coins, hitherto issued, will be prohibited after the 1st day of April, 1898. AMOUNT OP 1-YEN SILVER COINS AND OF THE PROMISSORY NOTES OF THE MINT WITHDRAWN FROM CIRCULATION. The exchange of 1-yen silver coins, comm&ced on October 1, 1897, as stated in the preceding section, was concluded, according to law No. V of June, 1898, on the 31st of July of the latter year, as was related in Section IV, Chapter V. During the interval the number of l-yen silver coins exchanged for gold coins amounted to 45,588,369 yen. Of this sum 38,648,297 yen was received in direct exchange for gold coins, and 3,977,099 yen was first received into the Government treasury in the form of revenues and other public payments, and then exchanged for gold, while the amount received into the Government treasury at Formosa and there exchanged was 2 962 973 ven. ' Besides these, there was the sum of 29,505,453 yen 4 sen 2 rin, which had been received into the mint bureau in bullion form previous to the promulgation of the coinage law, and which had not yet been minted into 1-yen silver coins, but against which the promissory notes of the mint to pay silver yen had been issued. This amount of promissory notes, therefore, the Government was 2280 COMMERCIAL JAPAI*)'. [DjfCEMBER, under obligation to exchange for gold coins. Now, a portion of these notes was redeemed previous to the passage of the coinage law in exchange for the convertible notes and turned into bullion, to be coined into subsidiary currency, while the rest was exchanged for gold coins simultaneously with the enforcement of the coinage law. In other words, the total of 1-yen silver coins and the promissory notes of the mint withdrawn fi-om circulation in connection with the adoption of the gold standard was altogether 75,093,822 yen 4 sen 2 rin. * * * Chapter X. — Final Disposal op the Ebtired Silver Yen. The aggregate total of 1-yen silver coins retired in consequence of the enforcement of the coinage law (law No. XVI of the thirtieth year of Meiji) and of the silver bullion corresponding to the promissory notes of the mint to pay coins (also retired) was 75,093,822 yen 4 sen 2 rin. Out of this total the sum of 27,567,011 yen 58 sen 4 rin was set apart for minting subsidiary silver coins, and the sum of 40,786,662 yen 45 sen 8 rin was sold at Hongkong, Shanghai, and elsewhere, while the sum of 6,740,148^yen was sent over to Formosa, Korea, etc., to be placed in circulation in these countries. In this way in December, 18B8, was completed the final disposal of the retired 1-yen silver coins and of the silver bullion corresponding to the promissory notes of the mint (also retired) . Section IV. The aggregate total of 1-yen silver coins withdrawn from circulation and the silver bullion corresponding to the promissory notes of the mint (also retired) was 75,093,822 yen 4 sen 2 rin, and, as stated in the preceding section, the disposal of this whole amount was completed in December, 1898, while the total price obtained from the sale of this whole amount was 69,696,240 yen 85 sen 3 rin. (This price was on an average at the rate of 92 yen 81 sen 2 rin per 100 yen silver, which, reduced to the rate per ounce of English standard silver, equals 27.0570d. per ouncej compared with actual average quotation on silver bars on both advance and immediate sales ruling in London, during the period in which the above-mentioned sale was effected, was higher by 0.2660d., the average quotation in London being 26.7910d.) The transaction thus produced a discrepancy of 5,397,581 yen 18 sen 9 rin; added to this there were the expenses incidental to the retirement and the sale, amounting to 155,780 yen 63 sen 1 rin in March 31, 1899, so that the total loss came up to the sum of 5,553,311 yen 82 sen. In order to make good this loss the sum of 5,651,960 yen 91 sen, being the net profit realized by the mint bureau for the thirtieth and thirty-first fiscal years of Meiji, was transfered to the currency adjustment fund special comptabilite, in accordance with law No. XVII of March, 1897. (The profits to the mint bureau were mainly the profits arising from the minting of subsidiary silver coins, whose amount for the thirtieth fiscal year was 2,035,860 yen 82 sen 1 rin, and that for the thirty-first year 3,616,100 yen 8 sen 9 rin.) In looking back over the circumstances attending the retirement and disposal of the silver yen, we must note the fact that the scarcity of money prevailed throughout the thirtieth fiscal year (1897) as a result of the sudden expansion of business and industrial-enterprises following the victorious war with China (1894r-95); and it being impossible in consequence to float in the home market the Government bonds issued as a post-bellum measure, the Government itself had to buy them by appropriating 14,670,000 yen out of the indemnity money. Corning to the thirty -first fiscal year (1898), the stringency of the money market yet more increased, so that in order to ameliorate this condition of affairs the Government made a further disbursement of over 36,990,000 yen out of the indemnity money for buying Government bonds, and of over 3,040,000 yen for buying the bonds, to be newly issued, of the Industrial Bank of Japan. Even yet the condition of the market did not allow the floating of a public loan. Under these circumstances the Government had to make further temporary appropriations out of the indemnity money to the extent of over 70,650,000 yen to cover the expenditures which were to be met by floating Government bonds and of over 15,000,000 yen to meet the deficit in the general account, owing to the delay in the passage of the law for increased taxation. For these reasons it was apparent that if the retired silver yen were kept idle in the Government treasury for any length of time it would become difficult to meet the annual expenditures. Although it was decided to recoin a part of the amount of the retired silver yen into subsidiary coins, still there was also an immediate necessity for making proper disposal of the remainder. This was, moreover, at a time when silver quotation in London was depreciated to the level of 23d. (August; 1897). There was thus a peril that the rate might be yet further forced down, if a large amount of silver were sold off just then, and the transaction might have resulted in a loss of tenor, even 20 per cent. The situation, therefore, created much anxiety in the minds of men in authority. But toward the winter of 1897 the price of silver rose at one time above 27d., owing to the tightmoney market which was produced by the scarcity of currency in Shanghai, Hongkong, and their vicinities. While in this country it happened that the harvest of 1897 proving unusually bad, large quantities of foreign rice were imported via Hongkong. The situation offered a good opportunity for selling abroad 1-yen silver coins, and with the latter object in view an order was issued to the Yokohama Specie Bank to forward to and sell off the retired yen silver in the above-named regions, to employ a part of the money obtained in the payment of bills drawn against the imported rice, and to send home the rest in other forms of draft. At the same "time here at home, the Hongkong and Shanghai and the chartered banks having requested the Government for the sale of silver yen in order to meet the demand of silver in Shanghai and Hongkong, a considerable amount was sold to them. By March of 1898 (thirty-first year of Meiji) silver again showed signs of depreciating, but owing to the outbreak of the war between Spain and America and to the policy of the Spanish Government to buy up silver, its price again commenced to rise. Under these circumstances our efforts to sell silver in Shanghai and Hongkong were kept up with increased vigor, and the price obtained in payment was sent home either in the form of immediate drafts on Japan or in drafts on London. In Formosa, as will be stated in Chapter XI, the stamped. 1-yen silver coin now came to be put in circulation, while after the expiration of the period allowed for the exchange of silver yen, the same in its original form was put in circulation, so that a portion of the retired 1-yen silver coin was forwarded thither and disbursed at .current valuation. Other ways of disposal consisted of shipping certain quantities to Korea and there exchanging them for the convertible notes of the Bank of Japan, and of making an attempt to circulate them in Weihaiwei, in both cases at the current ra:te of valuation. In these latter places the prices obtained were higher than at others; but the demand for these coins never rose to very high figures. In this manner, within a short period of about one year, by December of 1898 (thirty-first year of Meiji) the disposal of the retired silver yen was entirely completed. The most satisfactory part of the whole transaction was that the disposal of this vast amount of silver in so short a space of time not only did not cause any fluctuation in the price of silver abroad, but the rate realized was actually higher than that quoted in the London market, while the loss resulting from the disci-epancy between the amount retired and the price realized from its sale was no more than about 7 per cent, and that loss was amply made good by the net profit from the minting of subsidiary silver coins, and thus giving no additional burden whatever to the state. Table XXXIX is herewith adjoined for reference concerning the present sections: Table XXXIX. — 1. General Account op the Eetibed Silver Yen Disposed op by Sale. Yen. Total amount of 1-yen silver coins and of silver bullion corresponding to the promissory notes of the mint retired 75, 093, 822. 042 Items under the above: Amount of the silver yen retired by being exchanged for gold coin between October, 1897, and July, 1898 38, 648, 297. 000 Amount of the silver yen retired by being received in payment of taxes and other public dues and then exchanged and retired 3,977,099.000 Amount of the silver yen received in Formosa and then exchanged and retired _ 2, 962, 973. 000 Amount of the promissory notes of the mint exchanged for gold coins ' 25,678,148.840 Amount of the promissory notes of the mint retired before October, 1897, for the purpose of coining subsidiary silver pieces..: 3,827,304.202 Total 75,093,822.042 Amount of retired silver yen deposed of by sale 75,093,822.042 1901.] COMMBEOIAL JAPAK 2281 THE EMPLOYMENT OF FUNDS IN THE GOVEBNMENT TEEASUEY IN CONNECTION WITH THE COINAGE EEFOEM. As may be seen from the preceding chapters, the coinage reform was effected by applying the gold coins belonging to the Chinese indemnity fund as a gold reserve for the exchange of 1-yen silver coins. But this does not mean that a farthing out of the indemnity money was consumed for the purpose. To explain, before being applied to various purposes for which the indemnity fund was appro- priated according to the budget estimate, the gold coins belonging to the said indemnity were utilized for the exchange of 1-yen silver coins, while the amount thus utilized was paid back and the expenditures for which that amount had been appropriated met with by the money realized from the sale of the retired silver yen. In effecting all these transactions, funds in the Government treasury were made use of under different comptabilite — i. e., the indemnity money special comptabilite, the currency adjustment fund special comptabilite,_and the mint bureau manufacture special comptabilite, in the following manner: I. The indemnity money special comptabilite shall buy gold bullion with its fund deposited in London, ship the said bullion home and deliver it to the mint bureau in order to be coined into money. II. The mint bureau shall receive gold bullion from the indemnity money special comptabilite, coin it into gold currency, and then return the latter to the said comptabilite. III. The indemnity money special comptabilite shall exchange 1-yen silver coins for the gold currency received from the mint bureau, thus effecting their retirement. IV. The indemnity money special comptabilite shall transfer 1-yen silver coins which have been exchanged for gold currency to the coinage adjustment fund special comptabilite at their face value. V. The coinage adjustment fund special comptabilite shall sell at a market price the retired 1-yen silver coins received at face value from the indemnity money special comptabilite. VI. The coinage adjustment fund special comptabilite shall pay for the retired 1-yen silver coins received from the indemnity money special comptabilite (Paragraph IV) with the money realized from the sale of those retired silver yen. VII. The mint bureau shall coin subsidiary silver pieces with 1-yen silver coins bought from the coinage adjustment fund special comptabilite, and shall transfer to the same comptabilite the proiits resulting from these subsidiary coins and from other items of manufacture. VIII. The coinage adjustment fund special comptabilite shall make good the loss resulting from balancing the price obtained for the sale of the retired silver yen and the price at which the same were received, with the profits transferred from the mint bureau. IX. The indemnity money special comptabilite shall in the above manner receive from the comage adjustment fund the payment for the retired silver yen, and apply the money thus received in payment toward expenditures determined by the budget. Thus, the indemnity money special comptabilite, while it exchanged 1-yen silver coins at its face value, did not suffer the least loss since the said comptabilite transferred it to the coinage adjustment fund special comptabilite at its face value, while the loss which the coinage adjustment fund suffered by receiving the retired silver yen at the face value and selling the same at current valuation was made good by the profits realized at the mint bureau from the coining of the subsidiary pieces. In this manner were accomplished the retirement and disposal of 1-yen silver coin by employing funds in the Government treasury, while the loss arising from the transactions was made good by the profits of the mint bureau. COMMERCIAL CONDITIONS AND PROSPECTS. Commercial conditions in Japan, the demands of trade, and the methods which should be followed by those desiring closer business relations with the people of that country, the prospects as to the effect of the new treaties, and commerce in general are discussed in the following extracts from reports of consuls of various nations, excerpts from newspapers' published in Japan, and other discussions by those having exceptional facilities for infurmation upon this subject. These extracts and expressions are followed by statistical tables from Japanese official sources, which are very complete, since the Japanese Government not only publishes elaborate commercial statistics, but takes an annual census of population, schools, railways, manufacturing and other internal industries, thus presenting recent and complete statistical views of the condition of the Empire and its people. AMERICAN FLOUR GAINING IN POPULARITY IN JAPAN. From reports to the State Department, published in the Consular Reports for 1898, it appears that American flour is gaining in popularity in Japan. Consul-Generial Mclvor reports to the Department as follows: The Japanese have not been consumers of bread, but have used flour in the manufacture of confections, of which great quantities are sold and used, not only as accessories (as with us), but as staple articles of diet. For years rice flour has been used in the preparation of these confections, but they are beginning to use wheat flour, both for this purpose and, to a limited extent, in making biscuits. Almost •all of the wheat flour imported into Japan comes from the United States and the import is now increasing, as is shown by the following table, taken from the official customs returns of the Empire for 1894, 1895, and_1896, compared with the table accompanying my report for the years 1890-1893, dated April 30, 1894: Quantity and Value of Impoets of Wheat Floub into Japan during the Years 1890-1893. YEARS. FROM THE UNITED STATES. FROM OTHEE OOUNTEIES. TOTAL. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value.' Quantity. Value. 1890 POUTtdS. 8,888,032 11,952,270 10,025,250 11,862,682 DoUars. 179,148 270,655 191,902 199,067 Pounds. 56,940 113,602 8,918 158,875 DoUars. 2,225 3,348 6,000 4,197 Pounds. 8,944,972 12,065,872 10,034,168 12,021,557 Dollars. 181,373 274,003 197,902 203, 264 1891 .- 1892 1893 Imports into Japan of Wheat Flour from the United States for the Years 1894-1896. YEARS. 1894 1895, 1896. Quantity. Pounds. 19,753,041 13,866,971 31,408,314 Value. DoUars. 302,049.16 205,422.29. 519,508.09 2282 COMMEEOIAiL JAPA¥. [December, The first annual retm-ns (1896 ) for the ports of Formosa (now a part of the Japanese -Empire) show that the import of wheat flour from the United States was 6,900,330 pounds, valued at 218,898.76 yen ($116,016.34). ' A portion of the increase in the Import for the year 1896 may be accounted for by the fact that it has been discovered that a steady rice diet encourages the tendency to a disease known as "kakke," or beriberi. If wheat is used occasionally, this tendency is greatly reduced or removed, and the authorities have required the occasional use of wheat flour in the army and navy. Almost aU of the flour imported is the soft-wheat flour of Washington and Oregon. The importing merchants inform me that they have made more than one effort to introduce the hard-wheat flour, but without success. The Japanese, accustomed as they are to the white flour made from rice, object to the dark color of the hard-wheat flour. I understand that objection has also been made that this flour is more gritty than that made from soft wheat. In the past, the import of flour has been made almost entirely by ^the large foreign -firms at the open ports of the Empire, but the Japanese are now er\'incing a desire to engage in direct trade, and three or four of their larger houses in "Tokyo and Yokohama are now, I beUeve, importing flour. Vice-Consul Sharp, of Osaka and Hiogo, also reports to the State Department as follows: There is a steady market here for American flour, and, in my opinion, the demand is on the increase. In 1895, the statistics of the imperialcustomshereshow the imports to have been 581,789 catties (775,718 pounds), valued at 29,894.31 silver yen ($14,947.16); iti 1896, 2,437,541 catties (3,250,055 pounds), valued at 129,447.50 silver yen ($68,736.62), showing the increase for 1896 to have been 1,855,752 catties (2,474,337 pounds)., valued at 99,553.19 silver yen ($53,789.46). This rncreasa I believe to be due to the increased transportation facilities and lower freights from the Paciflc coast. The equivalents of the Japanese yen in United States .gold have been computed at 50 cents for 1895 and at 53.1 cents for 1896. The American flour imported here comes principally from San Francisco, Cal., Pendleton and Portland, Oreg., and Spokane and Tacoma, Wash. The demand for flour here is chiefly confined to the lower grades, not only because the use of flour is making the greatest strides among the poorer classes of the country, with whom cheapness is the greatest desideratum, "but because a large quantity is used for making paste in the enormous paper industries, such as the manufacture of screens, fans, kites, and numerous other articles for which a good and cheap quality of paste is necessary. The higher grades of American flour are chiefly sold to the naval vessels and foreign bakers, who supply the local markeit with bread and cakes. The uses of flour have become more general among .the Japanese during the past few years. The difference between the average price of American flour and Japanese flour is about one cent on the pound. This information I have procured through the local government from the several provinces within this consular district. There are two classes of Japanese flour, one manufactured from wheat and the other from rice, the latter being much smaller in quantity than the former. Japanese flour is principally used for making vermicelli, macaroni, and cakes. The method employed by the Japanese for the manufacture of flour is primitive, compared with that in the United States. The rice or wheat, l)eing cleaned, is then ground to a powder, or proper consistency, by means of a stone mortar, run usually by "water power, which is one of nature's greatest gifts to this country. There are no flour mills of foreign construction within the limits of this consular district. In view of the small quantity of freight offered for the outward passages of vessels froln 'San Francisco to Hiogo (Kob6), special low rates have been made on flour, owing to its use as hallast or stifiening, instead of rock ballast. The principal importers of American flour here are Messrs. Frazar & Co. and Dodwell, Carlill & Co., both being agents of Steamers, and receive commission on their cargo, which enables them to lay flour down here at a lower 'figure than one engaged in other pursuits. The question of difference between hard-wheat flours and soft-wheat flours is unknown here, and therefore cuts no figure Lq the flour trade. As to whettier "there is a favorable opening in this consular district for hard-wheat floura, it is simply a question ^of price and push. The long rail from Minnesota, or as far west as Great Falls, Mont., to the Pacific coast shipping points, is the problem to be solved, and as, according to the United States interstate commerce bill, a railway can not charge less for a long than a short haul, -and wheat can be produced in Washington at as low a co"st as in the Middle West, Washington flour dominates this market. WHEATEN-FLOUE BUSINESS IN JAPAN. [From the Japan Times, September 6, 1898.] The flour business in this country is yet in its infant stages, and consequently there are no large mills, such as are to he found in other countries. In Tokyo there is only one establishment of the kind, two or three in Osaka, one in Nagasaki, one in Hiroshima, while a similar one was lately established in Sapporo, Hokkaido. At the one in Tokyo, where the latest improved machinery has been employed siace 1896, the output of flour per month is said to amount to 16,000 bags on an average, about 4,000 koku (19,852 bushels) of wheat being consumed every month. But the output of all tie mills in the country together can not be expected to entirely meet the demand of the ever-increasing number of consumers, thus necessitating the import of flour in considerable quantity. In 1892 the flour imported, chiefly from America, amounted to 752 kin (1,002 pounds) ; and in 1896 theimports amounted to 24,000,000 kin (32,000,000 pounds) , with a marked increasing tendency. With regard to the quality of the home and American flour there is some difference, the latter being perfectly white; and it is on this account that the American flour is widely consumed now in Japan. In order to remedy this state of things, some seeds of the American wheat planlt have recently been introduced into Japan, and are now cultivated and successfully raised in Joshu, Ibaraki, and other neighboring localities of the capital. It is therefore expected that after the lapse of some years the import of American flour will be greatly reduced. TRADE CONDITIONS IN JAPAN— OPENING FOR AMERICAN GOODS. The following extracts are from the annual report of United States Consul Lyon, of Hiogo, in Commercial Eelations, 1897-98: Nothing serves better to illustrate the progressive spirit of the Japanese than their great anxiety for the introduction of foreign capital for business purposes. The efforts in this direction by the business classes are strongly supplemented, by the vernacular press and by the Japanese chambers of commerce in Kobe and elsewhere. 1901] COMMEECIAL JAPAJS". 2283 The foreign and Japanese chambers of commerce lately held an informal joint meeting in relation to this subject, at which time it was plainly pointed out by the foreign chamber that the capital sought, being necessarily timid, required to be properly safeguarded by a more liberal display upon the part of the Government, such as, for instance, the equalization of foreigners with Japanese in regard to the holding of shares in stock companies and in reference to the ownership of land. Japanese business people are slow, methodical, and cautious in their dealings, and it is characteristic of them to protect themselves at every point. Business must be done carefully with them, as well as wit*i others; their responsibihty must be thoroughlylnvestigated, and also their general business reputation. There are mercantile agencies in this country which furnish financial ratings and some of the representative Japanese houses have branches in one or more of the leading American cities. It may be noted that there has of late been considerable complaint that goods have not been promptly taken upon arrival, and this is said to be part of a scheme by some to finally obtain them at a lower rate. The only way to do business successfully with this class would be to require the deposit of a sum sufiicient to reimburse the shipper in such cases. It has largely become the practice for even reputable Japanese merchants to not only put up margins upon orders, but to fully secure the payment of large invoices upon delivery of bill of lading. There is a peculiarity about the Japanese that does not attach to any other people, and it is this: The average Japanese are very suspicious of small wares that are not backed up with fancy trade-marks. They buy goods much more readily that carry a device or an emblem or that bear a seal^ and many a good article would be in danger of rejection because not put up fancifully. They also attach importance to small, neat packages, not too many of a kind together. This is more in keeping with Japanese tastes. In America small articles are put up and sold by the dozen; the Japanese want them separate, and this is not only true because things here are generally on a smaller scale, but there are financial reasons why it is so. Their means are limited, and they use everything sparingly. It is probably true that the German exporter understands the native taste better than any other. The markets here are full oi small wares from Germany, put up in attractive style and iti small quantities to find ready sale. Another point in favor of German exporters is the fact that they do not confine themselves to the quick and ready methods of others, but stay upon the ground until they get the trade. It would be well for the Americans to note a little more closely the fact that the markets of the East can not be obtained entirely by wide-awake methods, but that much patient and persistent effort is required. SUPEBIOEITY OiF AMERICAN GOODS. The Japanese have no prejudice against American goods or manufactures; on the contrary, their superiority is freely admitted in caany lines. As an illusti'ation, there was recently made at Tokyo, by the authorities of the locomotive department, a critical test of English and American locomotives, and it resulted in favor of those made in America. The American locomotives were pronounced superior in all respects, and it was especially noted that they worked more economically. Tests have also been made of American machinery and many other manufactures from our country, and in regard to their quality the results have proved most satisfactory. The chief diflQculty in the way of the greater introduction here of American goods lies in the fact that our merchants and manufacturers are not putting forth the same degree of effort for the Japanese markets as exporters from other foreign countries. , SENDING CIECULAES AND PEICE LISTS. Too much of this is done to the exclusion of personal effort. The hotel reading rooms and private offices are stocked with mail matter from all parts. In the United States, cu'culars and price lists alone may produce some result; but they will avail but little 9,000 or 10,000 miles away from home, unless followed up by salesmen. One firm might deluge the market with trade literature for years, and another could send an energetic man along and pick up all the business. It might be well to pave the way by advertising; but in order to insure sales the man must be upon the ground. He must be intelligent and persistent, and his firm should bear in mind that this market is not worked any more easily than are the overworked markets at home. CAEE IN PACKING GOODS. For the better protection of shippers' interests, it may be said that much more care should be taken by them in packing ttieir goods for this market. Several well-founded complaints have recently been made in this respeet concerning American goods, and while it ia true that the same fault attaches to other foreign shippers, that fact is not of much value to American exporters. As one instance ot many that have lately been brought to the attention of this consulate, it may be mentioned that one of our leading American houses here recently received from New York an invoice of seven metal fireplaces for immediate delivery. They were fine specimens and just what would have suited, but when received they were all found to be in a badly broken condition, caused simply by being improperly packed. Such cases as these not only entail considerable loss upon shippers, but they destroy the prospect of future orders. In connection with this subject, attention should be called to several recent shipments of American cotton claimed by the consignees to be not up to standard. Four cases of this kind have occurred at this port within the last four months. Upon application at the consulate, surveyors were appointed to inspect the cotton and to extract samples from each baJe, in order that they might be forwarded, under the consular seal, to cotton experts in America for examination as to value. This not only entails loss to the shipper, but, in the estimation of some here, it tends to lower the high standard of American cotton, which export is by far the most valuable one from the United States to this port. RAILWAY LOCOMOTIVES. England started the railway system of Japan and was thus given a natural precedence in the railway development of the country, but she has not maintained her lead. The United States has pro\^d its ability during the last three years to compete wdth and outdistance its great rival. In 1895 England exported locomotives to Japan valued at 1380,935, against |142,165 worth from the United States. Thia year exportations of locomotivas to this country stand thus: Great Britain, 1899,130; United States, 51,191,906. This is a field of industry which has been properly worked aind in which the superior merits of American locomotives have been recognized, or no such results could have been obtain-ed. 2284 COMMEEOIAL JAPAK. [Decbmhee, EAILKOAD IRON. The contest for supplying Japan lies between England and the United States, and it is likely that it will continue. In 1895 Gieat Britain furnished nearly all the railroad iron imported into this country, a very small quantity having been exported from Belgium and Germany; the United States supplied none. In 1896 the United States exported only a little more than one-sixth as much of railroad iron to this country as England did; but in 1897 a very notfWsle increase took place from the United States in such shipments, and exportations from the two countries stood thus: Great Brttain, $810,110; United States, $615,018. At this rate another year will show the United States to have left its competitor in this export far behind. IHON NAILS, BOLTS, AND SCHEWS. In 1895 the United States exported to Japan but $33 -worth of iron bolts and screws and $2,521 worth of iron nails, against which we exported last year iron bolts and screws valued at $5,262 and iron nails valued at $469,689. Germany was the largest shipper of nails to Japan in 1896, sending an amount equal to $469,485, against $116,160 worth from the United States; but last year these two countries changed places, the United States having shipped a large amount, while Germany dropped to less than one-half her former export. COTTON-SPINNING MACHINEEY. The United States does not materially help to supply the vast quantity of spinning machinery required in Japan. This field ia one in which England seems to have always had a monopoly. Her exports here of such machinery during the last year amounted to $2,632,509, against $4,557 worth from the United States and but little from any other country. This state of affairs should be looked into carefully by enterprising American manufacturers of machinery, as cotton spinning in Japan is rapidly on the increase, involving a brisk demand for equipment. Japanese agencies for the purchase of spinning machinery are established in New York. Osaka, ia the chief cotton spinning and weaving district, and manufactures immense quantities of cotton cloth, not only for home use, but for export to China, Korea, and Hongkong. PAPEE-MAKING MACHINBEY. The United States slightly leads in this export. Nearly all of it comes from there and England. In 1896 our country shipped paper-making machinery into Japan valued at $65,466, against shipments of the same from England of $24,796. During the yearuuder review exports stood: United States, $197,000; England, $175,032. These latter figures show a largely increased demand for tliis machinery, and it should be noted that the exports from the two countries named are now nearly balanced. Large paper mills are established in this consular district. DYNAMO-ELECTBIG MACHINERY. The United States is well ahead in this export and should strive to maintain its lead, as there is no doubt that with the opening up of Japan consequent upon the operation of the new treaties in 1899 the demand for this machinery will be greatly stimulated, aa will also be the case with many other foreign inventions and productions. The following table gives the principal countries exporting this machinery and the value exported from each during the last three years: , COUNTKY. 1895 1896 1897 Dollars. 34, 913 86,854 20,585 Dollars. 148,143 131,306 80,643 Dollars. 341,154 92,161 83,095 Great Britain MINING MACHINERY. This is used for the mining of coal, silver, copper, sulphur, and antimony. The imports were: « COUNTRY. 1896 1897 Great Britain Dollars. 84,200 12,533 . 2,754 DoUars. 119,231 31,250 7,860 Germany Flour is a growing import into this country, and the United States supplies most of it, a very small quantity being shipped from British America and China. The United States more than doubled its export of flour to Japan in 1896, but during the last year the exports of this article gained only about 17 per cent, in consequence of its enhanced value at home, cheapness being an indispensable condition to ready sale in this country. When the price of flour in the United States again becomes normal it will no doubt soon be much more extensively exported to this country. RAW COTTON. Since 1895 British India has gained largely in the exportation of raw cotton to Japan, having more than trebled its shipments in three years, while China has fallen behind about 50 per cent. The United States gained more than 80 per cent in 1896 over the preceding year, and more than 70 per cent in the year under review. In commenting on the increased import here of American cotton, the annual report of the foreign chamber of commerce at Kobe states that from October to December last 120,000 bales were contracted for, and that in consequence spinners would in the near future be using 40 per cent of American cotton against 12 to 15 per cent in former years. It was also stated in the report that the working of American cotton both reduced the running expenses of the mills and increased their capacity to turn out the finished product. 1901.] COMMEEOIAL JAPAN. 2285 GROWTH OF AMERICAN IMPORTS INTO JAPAN. [From British consular report in British Board of Trade Journal.] In last year's report attention was drawn to the fact that rails were exported from the United States of America to Japan for the .first time in 1896. The development in 1897 deserves attention from British manufacturers and merchants. The following table gives the figures for all Japan: EAILS FROM— VALUE. 1896^ *^1897 Great Britain £ 103,000 123,500 20,000 17,000 £ 203,000 37,600 9,000 10,000 United States of America , Belgium Germany Total 332,500 259, 500 In 1896 British rails were four-fifths of the total imported. In 1897 they were less than half. £73,000 more rails were imported in 1897 than in 1896, but the import of British rails fell off by £40,000, while the import of American rails increased by £86,000. Belgian and German rails also advanced slightly at the expense of the British. In 1897 of railway material Great Britain had 61J per cent; United States of America, 164 per cent; Belgium, 13 per cent, and Germany, 9J per cent of the imports. In 1896 Great Britain had over 77 per cent of it all; Germany nearly 12 per cent; Belgium, 6 per cent, and the United States of America only 5 per cent. Although the railway material is less important than the rails, it is nevertheless noteworthy that in this, as well as the rails, the States increased their exports to Japan to over treble the 1896 amount. Previous to 1897 all the pig iron came from England, but this year about 8 per cent came from the States. The American pig iron is not liked so much as the English, and what is used is mixed with British pig. The American compares favorably with the English in price. Of all imported, perhaps 15 per cent is taken by the Government shops, and the balance in privately, owned foundries. Of bars, 80 or 85 per cent is Belgian, and only 15 or 20 per cent is British. At the most, 10 per cent of the total is high quality; this is all English. Probably 5 to 10 per cent of cheap quality bars now come from England; formerly all the cheap bars came from Belgium. About 70 per cent of these bars are iron and the rest mild steel. Of plates and sheets about 75 per cent is English and 25 per cent is Continental, the greater part of the former being mild steel. Crucible steel is practically all English. Of wire nails, 62 per cent comes from the States, 32 per cent from Germany, 4 per cent from Belgium, and 2 per cent from England. HINTS TO EXPORTERS TO JAPAN. The following paragraphs are from the annual report of United States Consul Harris, of Nagasaki, in Commercial Relations, 1897-98 : "Whenever an article of American manufacture has secured the favor of Japanese tradesmen, there ia no reasonfor its notcontinuing to monopolize the market (for the sentiment of the people is strongly in our behalf), provided the standard of quality be fully maintained and an equal amount of care and attention be paid to the appearance of the packages and to the methods of shipping that are given to such matters by European manufacturers. There is a preference on the part of most foreigners and of many Japanese for glass jars for all fruits, vegetables, etc. , rather than tin cans, when the former are practicable. Whatever is put upon the glass in the nature of label or advertisement should be so heavily varnished or shellacked or prepared in some way as to permit of its being washed without marring the beauty or clearness of the label, while cans should be provided with labels other than those of thin paper, which do not allow the can to be washed and have its appearance restored when it becomes flyspecked or shopworn. The methods adopted by most of the French purveyors are recommended. In the matter of packing, it is very desirable that the initial jar or tin be as small as is practicable — for example, butter in half-pound cans, fruit and vegetables in half-pound cans or pint jars, while cases of such size as can be carried conveniently by a porter along rough mountain roads will find a much readier sale with the Japanese than the large cases containing two dozen 2-pound cans. In the one item of biscuits (crackers), it is believed that the American bakers are gradually supplanting the European, and there is no apparent reason why our merchants should not secure a monopoly of this business, provided the standard be fully maintained. The present size of the tin boxes used rather checks the.sale to the Japanese, and it is probable that tins of half the size would sell much more readily. Besides the matter of cost, there is an additional reason for the preference for small tins in that the biscuits soon lose their crispness in this moist climate. " In textiles, machinery, implements, and all other articlesitis equally important that the standard of excellence-originally established when first soliciting orders be rigidly maintained, and also that the requirements of the Japanese dealers and consumers be carefully ascertained and fully complied with. These may at times seem to be somewhat whimsical in that they differ so widely from established customs in the United States — for example, as to the width of a piece of cloth, the length of the bolt, the number of pieces in a bale, the dimensions of a package, or the size of a case of machinery; but it will always be found that there is good reason for these reauirements either in the meagerness of the demand or the inadequate transportation facilities. " It is worthy of note that the Western Light and Power Construction Company, of San Francisco, supplied to the recently opened Nagasaki Hotel (one of the finest hostelries in the Far East, representing an investment of some 300,000 yen) its entire outfit of electrical apparatus, including engines, in competition with several other bidders. The same. company has also secured another profitable contract. "There is already a considerable importation of leather into this consular district, both sole and upper, all of which is used tor makinw boots and shoes. Of this the bulk comes from the United States, and there is no reason why our tanners should not have a practical monopoly of this business and largely increase their export of raw leather to Japan. There is little reason to expect a demand for harness leather or for boots and shoes. The duty on leather after January 1, 1899, will be 0.0558 yen (2.77 cents) per pound, Bpeciflc, for sole, and 10 per cent ad valorem for other kinds." No. 6 20 2286 COMMEEOIAL JAPAN". [DECE^^BJ!B, AMERICAN COMPETITION WITH BRITISH TRADE IN JAPAN. [From the British Board of TtotSe Journal.] The assistant Japanese secretary to Her Majesty's legation at Tokyo, in a report to the foreign office on the trade of Japan for 1897 (Annual Series, 2109), states that the appearance of the United States as a serious competitor with Europe was, in 1896, attributed to the prevailing depression in the States, but the same reason will not account for the continued growth of this competition in 1897, and other causes must be sought. In the first place, it would seem that the period of prosperity experienced in the States until about 1893 or 1894 ended with a considerable overproduction in every branch of manufacture. The depression which ensued brought about an era of economy and stimulated the development of labor-saving machinery and appliances of every description, and by their adoption the American maker has been able not only to meet the lower prices offered to him by his own countrymen, but in many cases to create a demand abroad by selUiig his surplus at cost price and thus freeing the home market from any excess. In the second place, the development of an export trade from the United States has been taken up by large combinations of varied interests, having as their object the coUection and dissemination of such practical information respecting the world's requirements as . will lead to an extension of commerce. These institutions stand ready to furnish gratis all details with regard to the, resources and industries of the States, and there can be little doubt but that, this broad and comprehensive policy is of incalculable assistance to those concerned in American trade. Another point to be mentioned is the development of direct steamship lines from New York, whereas formerly goods were sent to Liverpool or London for transshipment to Japan. While the relative growth of Japan's imports from the United States" shows a very large increase in recent years, the amount of exports from Great Britain has increased by a larger total value; but it must be borne in mind that the American invasion has only just commenced, that the ground has been prepared for large extensions in the future, and that unless some unforeseen changes take place the tendency will be toward encroachment upon the trade hitherto belonging to Great Britain. The import trade to Japan of the United States is growing rapidly, more particularly in machinery, locomotives, and railway material— articles for which the United Kingdom has hitherto held a monopoly. ' A reference should also be made to the quick deliveries which can always be obtained from America. As an instance, English locomotive builders required two years for the delivery of an extensive order, while the Baldwin Locomotive Works turned them out at the rate of two a day and shipped the whole quantity within eight or ten weeks. Another case recently occurred where the English time for shipment of five locomotives was ten months and the price about $12,000 gold, delivered in Japan; and American makers offered to ship in fourteen weeks at about $8,000 gold. The same specification was submitted to both countries. The time allowed for execution of orders by the Japanese buyer is always very short and the tendency is to make it shorter still; consequently prompt shipments are a great advantage, and when, in addition, the shortness of the rail and sea route via the Pacific coast is taken into consideration, it is apparent that the British maker must, even on the same terms as to price, offer strong counter inducements to insure successful coiapetition. At the same time there seems to be no doubt in the minds of the Japanese as to the superiority of the British-made engine. The total imports from the United States and Great Britain in 1890, 1895, 1896, and 1897 are shown as follows: FEOM- VAUIE OF IMPOBTS INTO JAPAN. 1890 1895 189C 1897 Yen. 6,874,531 26,619,102 Yen. 9,276,360 45,172,110 Yen. 16,373,419 59,251,780 Yen. 27,030,537 65,406,266 The British vice-consul at Tacoma (U. S. A.), in a recent report to the foreign office (Annual Series, 2115), says that respecting commercial relations with China and Japan, in addition to the regular steamships of the Northern Pacific Steamship Company, four char- tered steamers have been employed for single voyages to cope with the requirements of the traffic during the summer months; at this time the question of the imposition of duties on tea, matting, and other products of China and Japan was under consideration by the Government; and importations that, under ordinary circumstances, would have been spread over an entire season, were hurried across within the second quarter of the year in the hope of arriving in the United States before the duty had been imposed. In consequence, the volume of trade from the far East for the remainder of the year was comparatively small. On the other hand, the exports of flour, raw cotton, machinery,, wire nails, steel rails, electrical material, and manufactures of all kinds from the United States to Japan, China, and the East generally show a perceptible increase; and the capacities of the steamers connected with the trans-Pacific lines have been taxed to the utmost on the western voyage to afford the shipping facilities required. The quantity of steel rails brought across the American continent by rail from the manufactories in the vicinity of Chicago, and exported via Puget Sound to Japan, has aggregated about 15,000 tons; and it is a remarkable circumstance that the American manufacturers, under the disadvantage of the expense of 2,000 miles transportation by rail, can successfully compete with English and Belgian firms selling rails in Japan. There has been some falling off in the number of bales of cotton domestics, with other textile manufactures, passing through the Puget Sound ports for China, the exporters apparently finding cheaper shipping facilities by steamers running from New York via the Suez Canal. Exports from America have, to an appreciable extent, been curtailed by the dearth of opportunities for shipment across the Pacific in consequence of the steam tonnage in the regular lines being insufficient to carry all the cargo offered, and the rates of freight not proving remunerative enough to induce outside steamers to run the risk of coming across from China or Japan in ballast for the return cargoes offering. The Nippon Yusen Kaisha, the Japan Mail Steamship Company, whose American terminus is at Seattle, has greatly improved its service during the year, the company's boats having been carrying very fuU cargoes. The principal articles of export and import to and from. Seattle have been carried by this Une, and an enormous amount of business done by the company. A very large increase may also be noticed in the cotton and textile manufactures, as well as in the iron manufactures, under which head' are included the exporta- tions of steel rails to Japan and Korea. 1901.1 OOMMEECIAL JAPAN". 2587 JAPANESE COMMERCIAL MUSEUM. The Imperial Commercial Museum of Japan has been recently estabUshed under the control of the department of agriculture and commerce of the Japanese Government. The objeds sought to be attained by the museum are of the samfi nature as those of the Philadelphia Commercial Museum. The regulations, forwarded to the Bureau of Foreign Commerce -of the State Depairtment, are as follows: REGULATIONS OF , THE IMPEKIAL COMMERCIAL MtTSEUM OF THE IMEEEIAL DEPAETMENT OF STATE FOE AGEICULTUEE AND COMMEKCE. Aeticle I. Samples of the -following articles of commerce shall'be placed on esiibition in the museum; (a) Home products. (1) Staple commodities of export. (2) Articles capable of future exportation. (3) Articles to compete with imported commodities. (4) Eaw materials of indnstry, (b) Foreign products. (1) Articles serving as models for home manufactures. (2) Articles competing with Japanese products in foreign markets. (3) Articles apprehended as future competitors with our export commodities. (4) Articles commanding large sales in foreign markets, imported thereto from other countries, and capable of being manu- factuTed ia. this country. (5) Staple commodities of import. (6) Articles promising future importation. (7) Eaw materials of industry. Aet. II. Besides those specified in the preceding aa-ticle, sanapies and models of patents, registered designs, and trade-marks, forwarded from the imperial patent office, shall be placed on exhibition. Aet. III. The museum authorities will accept, in accordance with the rules provided for the purpose, and provided there is no special reason to tbe contrary, exhibits on loan or donations from Japanese and foreigners of the artictes enumerated in Article I, and a space shall be set aside for such exhibits in the respective depaa-tmentg classified under Article V. Art. IV. In the case of articles of an explosive, combustible, or otherwise injurious nature, only the covers used for packing may be placed on exhibition. Akt. V. Exhibits will be classified and arranged in the following six departments: Agricultural products, forestry products, aquatic products, mining products, manufactures, and patents, each of which is subdivided into several groups. Aet. VI. An official catalogue will be published from time to time for distribution to those interested therein. Art. VII. Explanation in regard to the articles on exhibition will be given to any visitor, applying for same. Art. VIU. The museum authorities will be in correspondaice with commercial, industrial, and educational museums and schools at home and abroad, and will exchange printed matters as well as exhibits. Aet. IX. Any person desiring to purchase an exhibit will, on application, be referred to the exhibitor. In such case the museum authorities will not be held responsible for any difference arising from the transactions thereof. Apt. X. When any information is requested in connection with an article on exhibition as to its market price, freight charges, customs duty, wholesale price, quantity available, credit obtainable on the goods, etc., the same will be furnished after due investigation. In special cases the expense (if any) required for such investigation shall be paid by the applicant for iaformation. Art. XI. An application to aseertaiitthe demand for any article newly manufactured, and to have same introduced to a possible purchaser, shall, after due investigation, be complied with, provided that the applicant shall defray any expense occasioned by such investigation. Art. XII. An official bulletin shall be published by the museum, which will contain the home and foreign ^irespondence, reports, and other matters connected with foreign commerce. Aet. XIII. Those who ara desirous of obtaining the bulletin shall send their names, addresses, and subscriptions to the publishing office; in special cases it may be furnished free of charge. Aet. XIV. A reading room shall be provided in connection with the museum, where industrial and commercial reports and statistics, maps and charts, books of reference, the Official Gazette, and detailed statements of patents, designs, and trade-marks, together with newspapers and magazines, shall be kept for the use of visitors. Art. XV. Applications of exhibitors for the prohibition of sketchings drawing, photographingj or otherwise reproducing articles placed by them on exhibition may be complied with and enforced. Aet. XVI. Visitors shall be admitted free of charge. Aet. XVII. Strict observance of the rules and regulations of the museum is required of visitors. Aet. XVIII. The museum will be daily open to the public, except on those days specified in Article XIX, during the following hours, subject, however, to special closing or change of hours: From January 8 to February 28, 9 a. m. to 3 p. m. From November 1 to December 24, 9 a. m. to 3 p. m. From March 1 to July 10, 8 a. m. to 3 p. m. From September 11 to October 31, 8 a. m. to 3 p. m. From July 11 to September 10, 8 a. m. to 2 p. m. Art. XIX. The musuem shall be closed on the following days: The day folowing national holidays; from January 1 to 7; from December 25 to 31. 2288 ' COMMEECIAL JAPAIfT. [Dbcssmbbb, REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE EXHIBITION OF AETICLES IN THE IMPERIAL COMMEKCIAL MUSEUM. Article 1. Any person desiring to exhibit articles in this museum must present to the museum authorities an application, accom- panied by an inventory and detailed statement of each article, -written in Japanese, English, German, or Trench, in accordance with the forms annexed herewith. When several articles not of kindred nature are to be sent in by one exhibitor, they must be properly classified before being sent. Art. II. After due examination, the museum authorities will communicate to the applicant the suitability or otherwise of his articles for exhibition. Art. III. As early as possible after receiving the notice of approval, the article or articles must be forwarded, securely packed. Each package must be marked "commercial sailiples," and addressed to the "Imperial Commercial Museum, Department of State for Agriculture and Commerce, Tokyo," with the name and address of the exhibitor appended thereon. Akt. IV. The exhibitor must prepare a list of his exhibits and place the same in the package containing them. He shall bo entitled to a receipt for the articles so forwarded, provided they conform in number and quality with the articles approved under Article II. In case of disparity or damage thereto, the same shall not be accepted for exhibition. Art. v. Exhibitors may at any time change a portion or whole of their exhibits, or have them returned, while the museum authorities may notify an exhibitor to withdraw or change any or all of his exhibits when deemed necessary so to do. Abt. VI. Anj' exhibits recognized to be of special importance or benefit may be purchased by the museum authorities. Art. VII. Exhibits may be accompanied by tables showing their yearly production and sales, and by trade-marks and covers generally used for packing them. Art. VIII. The choice of location for the display of exhibits shall be determined by the museum authorities alone. Art. IX. Care taking for the exhibit may be undertaken by the museum authorities, or by the exhibitors or their agents if such are located in Tokyo; in that case, the address of such care takers must be communicated to the authorities at the time of forwarding the exhibits. Art. X. Exhibitors may undertake, by consent of the authorities, to arrange their own exhibits; and, when deemed necessary, the museum authorities may notify the exhibitors so to do. Art. XI. Exhibitors are required to defray only the packing expenses and freight charges to and from the museum; all other expenses for arranging exhibits shall be borne by the museum, and under special circumstances freight charges may also be defrayed by same. Art. XII. For exhibition of specially valuable articles the museum authorities may, when deemed necessary, pay rent for same. Art. XIII. Exhibitors may, by consent of the authorities, place special decorations around their exhibits, or place them in decorated cases, at their own expense. Art. XIV. In the absence of special conditions as mentioned in Article XI, any package for which freight charges have not been prepaid shall not be accepted. If the sender of such package is not known, the museum authorities shall have power to deal with it according to their discretion. Art. XV. The museum authorities shall take proper precautions for the safe preservation of all exhibits, but shall in no way be held responsible for damage, stain, or loss caused by water, fire, robbery, or any other unavoidable cause. Art. XV I. When the applications for space for exhibits become too numerous, or when otherwise deemed necessary, the museum authorities may temporarily decline to receive or arrange exhibits. Art. XVII. In regard to exhibition of machineries, only small articles shall be accepted for the present. Appendix. — Form of Application. Date — : . To the Imperial Commercial Museum, Department of State for Agriculture and Commerce: I (or we), the undersigned, do hereby apply for permission to exhibit On loan (or to present) the articles specified in the accompanying inventory, and appoint (name and address) as agent, in conformity with the regulations of the museum. Signature , Address . ^ form of inventory. (1) Name of article and quantity. (2) Nature and quality thereof, and measurement. (3) Shape, color, and design. (4) Price. (a) Retail price. (6) Wholesale price at the place of production. (c) Wholesale price after being landed in this country. (5) Period to be exhibited. (6) ^Disposal of the exhibit after the period has expired (return to owner, sale, or presentation to this or other commercial museum). FORM OF DETAILED STATEMENT." (1) Place of production. (2) Name of producer, manufacturer, or manufactory. (3) Materials used in the manufacture and their respective places of production. (4) Quantity annually produced at that establishment. (5) Quantity annually sold. (6) Percentage of discount (if any) for wholesale trade. (7) Address of business offices (head office, branches, and agents) . (8) Places where each article is in demand. . — — — ■ — — ■ »— — . •As a copy of this statement is intended to be placed on view with the exhibit to which it refers, items of information which the exhibitor does not desire to make public must each be clearly marked " not to be made public," and will accordingly be omitted fromtheoopy for exhibition. 1901.] COMM«EJrCIAIi JAPA2JI. 2289 (9) Social class of principal customers. (10) Seasons (if any) when chiefly required and when chiefly produced. (11) Cost of packing (per ton) . (12) Freight charges (per ton) from the place of production to Yokohama or Kobe. (13) Time occupied in transportation. (14) Export duty (if any) and other charges. (15) Amount of subsidy or other aid, if any. (16) Any other useful particulars. THE FINANCIAL FUTURE OF JAPAN. [From Japanese-American Commercial Journal.] The balance of English trade has of recent years been in favor of excess of imports over exports, the same amounting last year to the large sum of £237,000,000. The Jiji's explanation of this astounding condition is that England stands as a creditor nation toward the entire financial world, by which fact she is not only able to import foreign products at cheaper rates, but furnishes and controls the money market of the world with'an enormous surplus fund. The steady increase of imports is the sign of her growing financial power. This prosperous condition of the British trade sets the Jiji conjecturing upon the future of Japan's finances. Thus far, it argues, our financial relation with other nations has been confined to export and import transactions. True, we are at present under obligations to foreign capitalists for the amounts of the old and new loans and interests thereon, but in future, thinks the Jiji, our indebtedness toward foreign capitalists will grow much greater by our borrowing from them inevitably. This, according to the Jiji, will but be a natural consequence to a greater proximity of relations between this and foreign markets. Foreigners will invest ia our stocks and participate in the liabilities accruing therefrom. But at the same time, the Jiji points out, they will be empowered, as a matter of course, to sell their shares in the Japanese market, and get back their capital at any time. Or, if foreigners should start up their own enterprise in this country, they will reap not only the interest on the capital they may invest, but also the profits of the busiuess. For the last two years our imports have been in excess of exports owing to the fact, so argues the Jiji, that we have not yet come to redeem the war bonds that were sold abroad two years ago, and also to the fact that the Chinese indemnity fund was brought home, which made Japan for the time being a creditor nation. On the expiration of the term of the bonds, however, the introduction of foreign capital will become more urgently demanded. The situation will quicken the exportation of our products, undertaken by foreign exporters, to whom we shall have to pay a large fee for the transaction. All these facts, then, the journal concludes, indicate that this country will before long become a debtor nation, a fate exactly opposite to that of England. The Jiji's opinion as to how we may best cope with such a situation is to employ the introduced capital with so much tact as to make it contribute to the gradual recovery of the position of a creditor nation by increasing the amount of production far in excess of exports. ^ FOREIGN COMPANIES IN JAPAN. Copies of ordinances recently published in Japan have been forwarded to the State Department by Minister Buck, of Tokyo, under date of June 20,1899. They read as follows: OKDINANCES POK POEEIGNEES. [Translated by Dr. Loenholm.] I. Imperial ordinance No. X7^, of June 15, 1899, relating to branch offices of foreign commercial companies, and to commercial companies and associations established by foreigners. Article 1. A foreign commercial company which haa set up a branch office in Japan before the commercial code takes effect must, within six months from its taking effect, register such fact according to the provisions of article 255 of the commercial code and appoint a representative in Japan and register his name and domicile. The provisions of article 257 of the commercial code and of article 202 of the law concerning matters not in contention apply correspondingly to such foreign companies. Akt. 2. A commercial company formed by foreigners in Japan before the commercial code takes effect must, within six montha from its taking effect, m3,ke a company contract in accordance with the provisions of the commercial code and register the formation of the company. Aet. 3. If a commercial company act in contravention of the provisions of article 2, the com-t may, on the application of the public procurator or of its own motion, order the dissolution of the con^pany. *The order of dissolution must be published in the same manner at registered facts are published. Aet. 4. As to commercial companies formed by foreigners in Japa n before the commercial code takes effect, the legal relations which will arise before the registration is made according to the provisions of article 2, or before an order of dissolution has become finally binding, are governed by the law of the country to which the company belonged. Ajjt. 5. An association formed by foreigners in Japan before the commercial code takes effect, which has property of its own, must, within six months from the date of the commercial code, change its organization into that of some kind of commercial company recognized by the commercial code. The provisions of the preceding two articles apply correspondingly to such an association. II. Imperial ordinance No. S73, of June 15, 1899, concerning foreign insurance companies, Aeticxe 1. If a foreign commercial company establishes an agency in Japan to carry on the business of insurance, it must appoint a representative in Japan. The provisions of article 62 of the commercial code apply correspondingly to such representative. Aet. 2. The foreign company must notify the Government of the name and domicle of its representative in Japan. 2290 COMMEECIAIi JAPAIsT. [December, Art. 3. The provisions of articles 95 and 97-101 of the law concerning the operation of the commercial code apply correspondingly to foreign insurance companies. Aet. 4. If it appears to the Government that the continuance of the business of a foreign insurance company is endangered, or if the foreign company acts in contravention of an order of the Government, the Government may order that the prosecution of the business be suspended or the representative be removed. Art. 5. Whenever a foreign insurance company makes an inventory and a balance sheet, it must, vcithout delay, submit it to the Government, together with a business report, an account of profits and losses, and a statement as to the distribution of the profits. Art. 6. A foreign insurance company which has set up a branch office or an agency in Japan before the taking effect of • the commercial code must, within six months from its taking effect, obtain permission of the Govermnsnt. The provisions of article 95, 2, of the law concerning the operation of the commercial code apply correspondingly to such foreign companies. Art. 7. The provisions of articles 1, 2, 4, and 5 of this law and of articles 98-101 of the law concerning the operation of the commercial code apply correspondingly to foreign insurance companies which have established a branch office or an agency in Japan before the commercial code takes effect. FOREIGN TRADE IN JAPAN. [Prom the British Board of Trade Journal.] The following totals relating to the foreign trade of Japan during the years 1S97 and 1898-, taken from the customs returns, have l>een published in the Japan Weekly MaU: 1897 1898 Increase. Ten. 1«3,135,077 219,300,771 - Ten. 185i662,3iita.ye Other silk piece goods. Snk handkerchiefs Cotton piece goods — Carpets Matehes .l„ ITlowercd matting Cotton yarns Porcelain and pottery. Lacquer Straw braid Umbrellas Total 1898 Ten. 12,055,506 573,551 3, 655, 144 2,601,507 850, 871 6,273,572 3, 938, 218 20,105,671 1,989,645 783,134 5,981,125 687, 196 69,.465,04S 1«93 Ten. 9/530,676 186,040 3,390,146 2,512,376 973, 871 5, &fl, 993 1,232,738 IS, 490, 167 1,818,068 767,408 S, 181, 915 628, 057 45,.363,4ia 1889 Ten. 804, i«r 2,1«,459' 143,574 64,214 1,137,951 166,883 689,649 14S,847 26,928 6,.524,5.4D It thus appears that the exported value of these 12 staples of manufacture increased ninefold in a decade. The Jauan Weekly Mail, from which the above is taken, says that it would appear from, these figures that Japan's future will probably be industrial. On the other hand, the export of raw products is made up of seven principal staples, namely, silk, tea, rice, copper, coal, camphor, and marine products. The last, ma r l tip, products, may be capable of great development.. It is,, perhaps, one of the fields where foreign 1901.] COMMEKCIAi JAPAJS^. 2291 enterprise and foreign capital might be profitably employed, but its growth during the past decade has been insignificant. Taking the other six staples, the following table shows the value of the exports: ' 189S 1897 1S89 Silk Yen. 44,673,342 8,215,991 5,919,230 7,267,074 15, 229, 969 1,174,574 Yen. 58,683,102 7,860,460 6, 145, 249 5,776,774 11,545,801 1,318,292 Yen. 29,260,052 6,156,728 7,434,653 2,879,335 2,337,804 1,391,371 Tea Eice coaf.. .::::;;:::::;::;;:::::::::;:::::::::: Camphor Total 82,480,180 91,329,678 49, 449, 943 The rate of development in this branch of the export trade does not bear comparison with the rate shown above in the case of manufactured products; the rate for the principal staples of raw products being less than two to one and that for the manufactured products more than nine to one. Further, the items that make up the list do not seem to suggest any prospect of large increment hereafter. Tea, rice, and camphor may be set aside at once — tea, because the market for it is limited and shows no sign of growing: rice, because the domestic demand will probably keep the quotation at such a point that profitable export will be impossible; and camphor because, whatever Japan's product might become under careful husbanding, it tends at present and has for many years tended to diminish rather than increase. With regard, then, to the remaining three staples, the figures for silk seem at first sight encouraging. It used to be thought, indeed, that an almost unlimited field offered for the export of Japanese silk; but of late China, with her newly established filatures and her originally better product, has become a powerful competitor, and there is now reason not only to modify the hopes once entertained for the Japanese staple, but even to apprehend that it may be partly driven out of the arena. At all events, the trade in raw^ silk is shown by experience to be a delicate business, and the annual fluctuations are very heavy, as seen in the following table: YEAES. EXPOKT OF EAW SILS. DUKING THE PAST SIX YEABS. 1893 Yen. 31,591,935 42,892,751 50,928,440 31,066,210 58,633,102 44,673,342 Millions. 1894 Increase 11 J Increase 8 Decrease 19J Increase 27 Decrease 14 1895 1896 1897 1S98. .. Apparently the export of this staple reached its maximum in 1897. As for coal, it shows a substantial increase— from 2J million yen in 1889, to 15i millions in 1898.' But the growth of manufacturing industry in Japan will involve a correspondingly increased domestic consumption of coal, so that the portion available for export will become more and more limited. It is supposed that Japan is not rich in coal. New seams may be discovered, but experts allege that evai at her present rate of extracting the mineral, a fifty years' supply is not in sight. Coal, then, can not be regarded as a considerably expanding staple of export. Copper alone remains, and the same remark applies to it, that the sources of supply are comparatively small. On the whole, it can not be said that the future of the export trade in raw materials offers an encouraging prospect. The great hope seems to lie in manufactured products. It might be supposed that the remarkable increase of imports — namely, 57J million yen — was in anticipation of the high rates imposed by the new tariff, which went into operation from the beginning of this year. But whatever the infiuence of that factor may have been, it does not make itself conspicuously apparent in the returns. Here are the figures for the regular staples which ought to be chiefly affected by an appreciation of import duties: Cotton yarns Shirtings Other cotton goods Camlets Flannel Woolen cloth Watches 1807 1898 Yen. Yen. 9,625,258 8,547,588 5,835,347 7,082,427 2,474,023 2,458,090 3,835,881 4,398,427 1,187,656 1,360,283 1,943,532 2,803,918 1,901,813 2,960,212 The total increase under these headings does not exceed 2J milUon yen. growth in the returns must be attributed: It is to the following imports that the greater part of the Raw cotton Sugar Eice Alcohol — 1897 Yen. 43,620,214 19,799,092 21,528,429 969,360 1898 Yen. 45,744,899 28,266,359 48,204,197 2,698,039 These five articles account for 32 millions of the increase. Among them rice is the most remarkable. The import of rice under normal circumstances ranges from 4 to 6 milUons of yen; but the exceptionally bad harvests of 1896 and 1897 created an extraordinary demand, which will of course disappear in the face of the fine yield for 1898. Should the rice crap in the current year be of average < quality, it may be anticipated that under this heading alone the imports for 1899 will show a diminution of fully 40 million yen. 2292 OOMMEBOIAL JAPAlf. [Decembbb, THE TEXTILE INDUSTRIES OF JAPAN. The details of the textile industries of Japan, which differ in many particulars from those of the United States, are described by Consul Lyons in a recent report to the State Department, and published in the Consular Reports of May, 1899, as follows: The manufacture of textile goods in Japan is not confined to certain localities, as in the United States, but extends, by means of hand looms, all over the country. The spinning wheel was formerly in general use, but during the last twenty years it has been almost wholly displaced by spinning mills using machinery. More than 1,000,000 spindles are now thus operated, 47 mills in Japan producing last year an estimated yield of 650,000 bales of cotton yarn of 400 pounds each. Present returns show that more than 200,000 bales will be shipped to China during the current year, and the home demand for counts averaging 18s. will be nearly supplied by the remaining 450,000 bales. Only one of the spinning mills in Japan has imported the machinery necessary for spinning the higher counts above SOs. The Nippon mill, of Osaka, has done this, but so far has probably not made a success of it. Higher counts are steadily imported from England, and in greatly increasing quantities, to meet the home demand. When mill hands with greater skill are to be procured in Japan, the spinning of the higher counts will increase more rapidly, in order to supply the domestic market and the demands from China and Korea. Increasing demand for the higher counts of cotton yarn explains the rapidly growing market for American cotton, from which it is produced. It would be well for American cotton producers to note this fact with a view to educating a sufficient number of Japanese workmen to become expert and teach others, in order to extend the sale of American cotton, from which the higher counts are made. Many of the large class of persons formerly employed in spinning by hand are now engaged in weaving textiles on hand looms. It has recently been computed that more than 600,000 hand looms are in use in Japan, and it is stated that they employ 890,000 women and 50,000 men. As these hand looms are generally operated in private houses, giving a home character to the work, it can readily be seen why such slow progress is being made in the introduction of power weaving machinery. The hand looms now in use are called "battan," and are an improvement on those formerly used. They cost but about 5 yen ($2.'50 gold) each, and take up httle room in a house, while a power machine would require a separate building, and with the necessary power would cost, say, nearly 500 yen ($250 gold). The hand loom will produce about half as much as a power loom, but one person could attend to perhaps four or five of the latter at -a time, and thus be able to turn out, say, eight or ten times the product with a power loom as with a hand loom. The convenience, however, of having the hand loom in the house and the difference in its cost will perhaps be sufficient to delay the introduction of power looms to any great extent for some time to come. The comparative cost of labor is about one to eight or ten in favor of the power looms, and this should tend to crowd out the hand looms very fast; but it is not doing so yet, though the progressive spirit of the Japanese will no doubt ultimately cause them to substitute power looms for the hand looms now in use. In regard to spinning machinery, the labor cost is about one to one hundred and fifty in favor of the machine, and this very great difference is of course the cause of the rapid introduction of spinning machinery. The hand looms are handmade, and are principally used in supplying some 1,000,000 pieces of goods, say 14 inches in width and from 12 to 25 yards in length, to the home market and for export to China and Korea. SILKS. The Japanese manufacturers are very conservative in their business methods, and manufacture large quantities of goods only on orders. The largest silk factory in Japan using power looms is the Kyoto Orimono Kaisha, of Kyoto. It imported these machines from France. It was the intention of the company to manufacture silk fabrics for export, but after some years of unsuccessful attempt the project was abandoned, and the company commenced making satins and " obi " materials for home use. In these lines, it is said, it has been very successful. This mill also manufactures curtain and upholstery materials, and it has found a good market for them in England and Australia. The power looms first obtained have been copied here, and the company is using large numbers of them; but they are not equal to the imported ones. Silk in its various forms, from the raw material to the finished product, is mainly exported from Yokohama. The industry dates back to an early period, and is to-day in an advanced condition. Exports of manufactured silks from Japan during 1897 were as follows: ARTICLES. Quantity. Value. Silk piece goods: Chiiimen (ailk crapes) . Habutai (pongee) Others Silk and cotton mixtures . . Silk handkerchiefs Other silk manufactures .., .pieces. ...do... ...do... ...do... ..dozen. 1,005 642,801 47,433 7,123 1,157,913 Ym. 11, 608 9,530,676 297, 047 - 13,576 8,890,146 450,036 Dollars. 5,781 4,746,276 147, 929 6,761 1,688,292 224, 118 There is no doubt a great misapprehension existing in our country as to the necessity for the use of woolen goods in Japan. The climate is thought by many to be such as not to require warm clothing in winter, but this is not the case. During the last winter, which was said to be not as cold as usual at this port, foreigners were clothed as warmly as persons need to be during the cold season in Wash- ington, D. C, and the masses of the Japanese people needed, but did not have, the same protection; and it must be remembered that this locality is a warm one in comparison with some other parts of the Empire. The manufacture of woolen goods is a new industry here and a small one, as only about 13 per cent of the woolen textiles used in Japan are made in this country. The raw. material is all imported from China, Australia, and London. The four woolen factories of the country are located in Osaka and Tokyo. One is owned and operated by the Imperial Government, and manufactures supplies for the army and navy. Some of the better grades of cotton and woolen yarns are made there, but they are mostly imported. A large proportion of the woolen cloths used are made on hand looms similar to those already referred to. 1901] COMMEEGIAL JAPAN. Importations of wool and woolen fabrics into Japan during 1897 were as follows: ARTICLES. Quantity. Value. Wool 2,702,486 1,613,232 461,764 Yen. 1,337,424 1,943,631 290,543 DoUars. 666,037 967,878 144, 690 Woolen cloths Woolen mixtures . . . v^'.'.'.'.i'.:.'.'.'.'.'.':'.' yards.. do.... Total Value of Textile and Fiber Impoets into Japan during 1897. ARTICLES. Value. All-wool fabrics, woolen mixtures, wool, and woolen yarns Yen. 12,677,370 63,113,602 1,316,661 1,060,680 1,242,936 Dollars. 6,313,330 31,430,574 655,199 628,219 618,982 Kaw cotton and' cotton fabrics .' ." Raw silk and silk mixtures Other manufactured fabrics and goods, as cotton handkerchiefs, towels. Total 79,410,249 39,546,304 2293 A much more general use of woolen products is requisite for the comfort of the people, and all classes are constantly becoming more able to purchase them; hence, there is no doubt that the demand for them will increase. Japanese rugs have deteriorated in quality to such an extent as to greatly check the American demand. The materials used are hemp, jute, cotton, wool, and silk, the two latter separately and in combination. They are made on upright hand looms, which vary from 3 to 24 feet in width. The pattern is worked from the front. This is largely a "home industry." There are no large factories. Only one or two employ more than 100 hands each. Kob6 is the center of the rug-making district. Mr. Brennan states in his report that in the neighborhood of Osaka and Hiogo there are some 2,000 establishments, employing in 1896 about 13,000 females and 5,000 males, producing some 3,000,000 square yards of rugs, at prices ranging from 6J to 20 sen (3i to 10 cents) per square foot. Countries from which Japan imports hemp and flax for making rugs, and the value of such imports, are as follows: COUNTRY. Philippine Islands British India — . . . China Great Britain Value. Yen. 202,758 90,202 390, 748 2,867 DoUars. 100,973. 44„921 194,592 1,428 Hemp and flax yams were also imported to the value of 197,105 yen ($98,058). knitting machinery. The first knitting machinery used in Japan was brought from England; some has since come from other countries, and the Japanese have copied all, thus deteriorating it. The machines are of hand power, and operated in private houses, from one to five being found in a house. The knitting business is not scattered through the country like weaving, but is concentrated in manufacturing centers, a great deal being done in Osaka. Large quantities of cheap underwear are made here, all from cotton yarn spun in Japan. Cotton and woolen yarns used in making the better grades are imported. Not much woolen underwear is used, the demand being confined to the better classes of the Japanese people, who also wear light-weight all wool with open meshes in summer. This light weight referred to has been made here for some time for the Indian market. The Japanese children have lately begun wearing mixed knitted singlets in the central part of Japan, and, on account of the comfort derived, they should be extensively used in the northern part of this countiy. They might be if furnished at low prices; coarse quality would not hinder their sale. SPINNING MACHINERY. As stated in my annual report for 1898, nearly all the spinning machinery still comes from England. American manufacturers of machinery have obtained large orders for other kinds, but they seem to have utterly ignored the constant demand for spinning machinery and for all the other spinning-mill requirements, including engines and boilers. This may also be said in regard to almost all the weaving machinery in the country. The first spinning machines used in Japan were sent from England, where a single firm has supplied more than half the spindles. Another English firm supplies a complete mill equipment, including boilers and engines. Weaving machinery is largely furnished by a third. French and German makers have supplied a considerable quantity of the silk and woolen weaving machinery, and I learn that some woolen machinery for an Osaka mill came from the United States; but our country is practically sending almost none of the large quantity of spinning and similar machinery constantly in demand. There are 52 spinning and 16 weaving establishments here using imported machinery. The weaving establishments with machinery are located as follows: Five at Tokyo, four each at Osaka and Kyoto, and one at Nishinomiya, Sidzuoka, and Wakayama. Tnere are four flax (jute) mills making canvas and twine, located in Shimotsuke, Sapporo, Otsu, and Osaka. No. 6 21 2294 OOMMEECIAL JAPAlf. [Decembbb, JAPANESE INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS. The growth of industrial, and, especially manufacturing, enterprise in Japan is discussed in an address by Mr. Ariga Nagafumi, of the agricultural and commercial department of the Government, which is summarized as follows by the Hiogo (Japan) News, and forwarded to the State Department by Consul-General Gowey: "The actual state of Japanese industry is best explained by statistics. Taking the sum total of the exports to be 100, the ratio of increase of industrial exports was 66 per cent in 1888, 64 percent in 1889, 67 per cent in 1890, 55 per cent in 1891, 67 per cent in 1892, 71 per cent in 1893, 75 per cent in 1894, 77 per cent in 1895, 74 per cent in 1896, and 78 per cent in 1897. In short, the exports have increased from 66 per cent in 1888 to 78 per cent in 1897. The decrease in the import of industrial products for the same period is shown by the following figures: Ninety-two per cent in 1887, 87 per cent in 1888, 87 per cent in 1889, 73 per cent in 1890, 73 per cent in 1891, 72 per cent in 1 892, 76 per cent m 1893, 67 per cent in 1894, 71 per cent in 1895, 71 per cent in 1896, and 60 per cent in 1897. That is, imports of industrial products declined from 92 per cent in 1887 to 60 per cent in 1897. There is thus a tendency to decrease in manufactured imports and to increase in exports. "Of the capital used in Japanese industry no perfect statistics are obtainable witli regard to moneys absorbed in industrial works conducted by partnerships and individuals. But in regard to industrial companies, the increase of capital is from 56,000,000 yen ($28,000,000) in 1894 to 62,000,000 yen ($31,000,000) in 1895, 74,000,000 yen ($37,000,000) in 1896, and 151,000,000 yen ($75,500,000) in 1897. That is to say, the capital employed by industrial companies in 1897 is about three times that used in 1894. But all this capital was not actually paid up. The actually subscribed sums were 36,000,000 yen ($18,000,000) in 1894, 41,000,000 yen ($20,500,000) in 1895, 48,000,000 yen ($24,000,000) in 1896, and 74,000,000 yen ($37,000,000) in 1897. Thus, the actual capital of industrial companies ia 74,000,000 yen, to which debentures— 4, 000,000 yen ($2,000,000) in 1894, 4,900,000 yen ($2,450,000) in 1895, 5,500,000 yen ($2,750,000) in 1896 (that of 1897 is not yet ascertained)— have to be added. Of these debentures 610,000 yen ($305,000) m l894, 420,000 yen ($210,000) in 1895, and 440,000 yen ($220,000) in 1896, were actually paid up. Briefly stated, the industrial capital in 1897 was three times that in 1894. "The capital employed by companies carrying on Western industries is 140,000,000 yen ($70,000,000) — of which 74,000,000 yen is paid up — with debentures, etc., as above stated. It consists generally of fixed capital, floating capital for the payment of wages, purchase of raw materials, etc. The interest charged is very high. In the case of one company, 36,943 yen ($18,977) and in that of another company 26,400 yen ($13,200) were paid in interest in the first half of 1898. It is thus inevitable that, with high interest and inefficient workmanship, the companies sometimes suffer great losses." CHEAP LABOR IN JAPAN. [From Unitea States Consular Reports, 1899.] From a recent issue of the Japan Times, a daily newspaper edited and ■ published in Tokyo by Japanese, I take the following information relative to cheap labor in Japan: "A member of the Osaka "Watch Company says that the wages paid to the workers in that factory are certainly much lower' than those paid in European or American factories; yet, despite this fact, the business of watch making is not a paying one in Japan. Lack of skill among the mechanics is one of the reasons given for this state of affairs. The employment of men at 40 to 50 sen (20 to 25 cents in American money) per diem would appear a much more profitable method than paying workman $3 per diem, and such are the wages said to be received by Western watchmakers; but against this it may be said that 10 of the latter can easily do work which would require from 70 to 80 Japanese." The Times goes on to say: "We are apt to think that wages in Japan being very low at present, foreigners will take advantage of the cheap labor and make very profitable investments of their capital when the revised treaties are put into practice. It is true that wages are low, counted by yens and sens, but when we consider the nature of the labor, the wages will be found to be far from low." THE BANK OF JAPAN. [The following article on the Bank of Japan is reproduced from the Bankers' Magazine of April, 1899, by permission of Bradford Bhodes & Co., of New York, by whom it will be reissued as part of a volume entitled History of tlie Great Banks of the World:] The Bank of Japan. geowth of the japanese banking systeh. In order to understand the organization of the Bank of Japan let us briefly study the growth of the Japanese banking business in general. Before the restoration there were a number of rich merchants who kept what were known as "exchange houses" and who acted as the financiers of the Shogunate Government and local feudal Daimios. They also received deposits and made advances to the public, being the centers of the credit system pf the time. There still exist some firms in Tokyo and Osaka which now carry on an extensive banking business, which may be rightly regarded as the direct heirs of these exchange houses. In 1869 ten discount companies were established under the special patronage of the new Government. Among many other privileges they received a large sum of the Government paper money as the public deposit and acquired the right of issuing certificates with the security of gold, silver, or foreign coins. But these establishments shortly passed away without any success. In 1870 Mr. Ito (now Marquis) , then vice-minister of finance, advised the estsblishment of banks after the modal of the national- banking system of the United States. This suggestion was favorably received, and as its result the national-bank act was enacted in 1901.] COMMEECIAL JAPAN. 2295 November, 1872. Under this acta bank was allowed to issue notes, convertible in gold, having as their securities Government bonds to 60 per cent of the capital, which was to be not less than 50,000 yen. " As a natural consequence of the political crisis, the new Imperial Government issued a large amount of inflated currency. The Government, in establishing these national banks, had in view the reduction of the amount of paper circulation by issuing the so-called gold redemption bonds, and with these bonds as the basis of banking, to let the banks supply the vacancy thus created in circulation with their notes convertible in gold. But in this respect the Government was disappointed. Within six years there were but four banks organized under this act and they could issue only about 1,420,000 yen of bank notes out of 15,000,000 yen, which were beforehand printed in New York. Even these were rapidly retired, as they lost specie reserve on account of the constant efflux of bullion. So in 1876 the Government felt it necessary to introduce many important amendments to the national-bank act. Among many other changes the bank notes were made legal tender for all payments, except for the payment of custom duty and interest on Government bonds, and became convertible into Government paper money instead of standard gold. Besides, the amount of the bonds to be deposited in the treasury by the banks was increased from 60 to 80 per cent of the capital and the kind of bonds was made optional so long as they bore 4 per cent interest. The most important change, however, consisted in a gold reserve of 40 per cent of the capital being transformed into a paper reserve of 20 per cent. These radical changes of the statute, combined with the issue of the Government loan to the amount of more than 174,000,000 yen to pay oft feudel pensioners in exchange for their hereditary rights, greatly facilitated the establishment of national banks. They sprung up in rapid succession. Between 1876 and 1879 one hundred and fifty-three banks were organized in various districts of the Empire, their total capital amounting to 48,816,100 yen. At last the organization of the banks became so prevalent that the bank act was again amended, empowering the minister of finance to restrict, on the basis of population and taxation, the total amount of the issue of the bank notes, which was fixed at 40,000,000 yen, as well as the number and capital of the national banks. Their legal term of existence was also limited to twenty years. Although there were some failures among these national banks, most of them enjoyed good, prosperous business. Side by side with these national banks there also sprung up ordinary banks, which are at present regulated by the bank act of 1890. They are either individual, partnership, or joint-stock concerns. When the legal term of national banks expires, they usually continue their business as ordinary banks. These now number 1,485, their paid-up capital amounting to 191,028,716 yen. ORGANIZATION OP THE BANK OF JAPAN. The Ase of national banks in rapid succession increased the evil effects of an inflated currency. The price of all commodities and rate of interest rose by leaps and bounds, while the Government bonds lost their value. 'The proper regulation of the currency became the prime necessity of finance. To relieve this situation the Bank of Japan (Nippon Ginko) was organized in 1882. This was a part of the broad scheme of Mr. Matsukata (now Count), then mmister of finance. He sets forth in his memorandum the object of this institution as follows: (1) To promote the cooperation and assimilation of banks under a central bank; (2) to increase capital available to trade and industry; (S) to reduce as well as to equalize the rate of interest; (4) to transfer to the bank various services in the treasury when its business is firmly organized; (5) to discount foreign bills so as to regulate the influx and efflux of specie. At the same time national banks were ordered to give up their right of iasue. In 1884 the convertible bank-note act was enacted^ whereby it was aimed to replace both the Government and national-bank notes with those of the Bank of Japan, s6 as to unify the currency system under this central institution. These objects were steadily pursued. On October 10, 1882, the Bank of Japan commenced its business. In December of the same year it opened its branch office at Osaka. Since then its business has grown to an enormous extent, and at present it has branch offices in Osaka, Moji, Nagoya, and Hakodate, and subbranchea in Otaru, Sapporo, Kyoto, and Taihoku (Formosa), besides many agencies for the management of Government money. CAPITAL AND KESEEVE OP THE BANK. At first the capital of the Bank of Japan was 10,000,000 yen. This was divided into 50,000 shares of 200 yen each. One-half of this capital was subscribed by the Government with its surplus fund. This was afterwards transferred to the Crown property. The expansion of business necessitated the increase of capital, and in 1887 it was increased to 20,000,000 yen, and again ia 1895 to 30,000,000 yen. Its capital, which is all paid up, is divided into 150,000 shares. The shares are all registered, and their ownership is allowed only to Japanese who have permission of the minister of finance to acquire it. The number of the shareholders now stands at 877. For some years a distinction was made between the shares owned by the Government and those owned by people in the rates of dividend, but since 1887 all shares are equally treated. The profit is semiannually divided in the following way: Out of the net profit 6 per cent is declared as the first dividend, and then at least one-tenth of the rest is added to the reserve and another one-tenth is distributed as the bonus of the bank officers. The second dividend is to be declared out of the remainder, some part of which may be carried to the reserve account. Since 1887 the sum of these two dividends varies between 10 per cent and 15 per cent per annum. The reserve fund can be paid out only to make up for the losses of the capital or to equalize the annual dividends. This fund is to be invested only in the purchase of gold, silver, or Government bonds, and the profit from the same is carried to the gross income of the bank. The latest account of this fund stands at 12,670,000 yen. The successive directors of the bank always endeavored to increase the fund so as to strengthen its credit. THE BUILDING OF THE BANK. The bank now occupies a three-storied granite building, 110 feet by 115 feet. Its whole ground is about 3§ acres. The plan of this bnildino- was settled upon after a careful study of the European central banks. Strong rooms are built in its basement. Electric light, water supply and other conveniences are all up to the latest improvements. In spite of comparatively low wages and cheap materials in Japan it cost some 1,150,000 yen. It was due to the energy of the late Governor Kawada that such a magnificent building was projected. And it is also noticeable that the plan as well as the execution of this building is the work of a Japanese architect, Dr. Tatsuno. ^__ ____^ • The present value o£ the Japanese gold yen in American eurrency is about 50 cents ($0,498.) 2296 COMMEEOIAL JAPAN. [Decbmbek, . ISSUE OF NOTES BY THE BANK. At the time when the Bank of Japan was organized the market was flooded with inconvertible paper currency. The Government paper money amounted to 115,381,292 yen, with denominations as small as 10 sen. The notes of national banks were over 34,396,818 yen, which did not all pass with the same credit. The currency was inflated to such a degree that the premium on specie was once 79 sen per yen. Under such circumstances it was the policy of the Government to place the power of regulating the currency in the single hand of the Bank of Japan, and to replace this inflated currency with the notes of fhe bank, which are elastic and redeemable in silver. For this purpose the Government again issued gold-note redemption bonds to contract the circulation of depreciated paper and pur- chased silver and foreign bills to prepare the way for the return to specie payment. Within three years the Government paper money was withdrawn to such an extent that the Bank of Japan felt safe to issue its first notes in May, 1885, and the specie payment of all paper currency was announced to be commenced on January 1, 1886. The law which regulates the notes of the Bank of Japan is baaed upon the German system, yet there are some interesting differences. The bank notes are of three kinds: (1) The notes issued on metallic reserve. This reserve has been silver, but since the adoption of the gold standard on October 1, 1897, this is gold, save that one-fifth of the total metallic reserve may be kept in silver. But, like the Bank of England, this exception is seldom availed of. (2) Those issued on business assets within legal limit. This issue is limited at present to the amount of 85,000,000 yen. The limit was at first 70,000,000 yen, but has been increased to the present amount since May, 1889. But the outstanding circulation of the Gov- ernment and also the national-bank notes are to be counted into this amount, and it is meant to replace them gradually with the notes of the bank. Again, for this privilege the bank advanced to the Government a sum of 22,000,000 yen without interest. This has been used as the fund to withdraw the Government paper money. Recently there has been much discussion of increasing this authorized amount of issue; and while the writer is preparing this essay the lower house of the imperial diet has just passed a Government bill pro- posing to increase the amount to 120,000,000 yen. (3) The emergency notes, or those issued upon business assets in excess of the above legal limit. These notes are subject to a special tax. The rate of the tax is to be 5 per cent or more. In the German system, as we all know, this rate is fixed at 5 per cent; but in the Japanese system only the minimum rate is fixed, and the power of discretion is given to the minister of finance, who may charge" any rate above 5 per cent, according to the state of the money market. This is quite an effectual measure to prevent stringency of the market, and at the same time to secure the immediate withdrawal of superfluous notes when the necessity is over. * That this system of note issue is admirably adapted to meet the varying demands of trade has been very well tested in the German system. But this is especially so in the case of Japan, where, for the reason of her geographical situation, specie can 'not be called in from abroad to respond to the immediate demand of trade. Since 1890 the emergency issue has been availed of seven times. That it is effective in relieving the market is shown by the fact that Japan has so far been free from any serious commercial panic. The notes of the Government and of national banks have been gradually retired, and the bank notes are taking their place. The day is near at hand when the whole paper-circulating medium will be unified into the notes of the Bank of Japan. The following table will show this fact: Table Showing the Amount op Circulation of Various Notes. The bank note • The Government paper The national-bank note Jan. 1, 1 Yen. 3,944,763 86,304,010 80,108,129 Jan. 1,1889. Yen. 65,547,249 46,566,086 27,562,931 Jan. 1,1899. Yen. 193, 799, 901 5,411,726 1, 864, 620 ' The notes of the Bank of Japan are of seven denominations: One yen, 5 yen, ID yen, 20 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, 200 yen; but 20, 50, and 200 yen notes have never been issued, and 1-yen notes are being speedily retired. KINDS OP BUSINESS TRANSACTED BY THE BANK. The kinds of business transacted by the Bank of Japan are mentioned in its statute, as follows: (1) The purchase or discount of exchequer bills, bills of exchange, and other commercial paper. (2) Dealing in gold and silver. (3) To make loans upon gold and silver coin and bullion. (4) To make collection of bills for banks, corporations, and individuals who are the regular customers of the bank. (5) To receive deposits and accept the custody of objects of value and documents. (6) To make advances in current account or in loans upon the securities of Government bonds, exchequer bills, or other bonds and shares guaranteed by the State. Besides these the bank performs a number of important services for the treasury without compensation. Not only does it receive and pay out public revenues and expenditures for the State, but it also manages all oper'ations concerning public debts, public deposits, and the retirement of the Government and national-bank notes. In fact certain parts of the bank are closely united with the various departments of the treasury. Bills and checks in modern forms are new things in Japan. For the last twenty years the Government as well as the bank has not spared every encouragement to their use in commercial transactions. As the result of these efforts, the discount business has grown to a considerable amount. The return of the clearing houses in Tokyo and Osaka during the last year amounts to 782,744,613 yen and 226,369,144 yen, respectively. Bills offered for discount to the bank must be indorsed by at least two substantial names and be payable within one hundred days. Those which bear a single name must be accompanied with collaterals, either in the form of warehouse receipts of merchandise or of the shares and bonds classed as securities of good credit. These shares and bonds are mostly of domestic railways, and are valued at 60 per cent of their market price. The loans upon securities are much smaller in amounts than the discounts. These securities are the bonds of the Imperial Government and of Tokyo and Osaka municipalities, and also those shares and bonds guaranteed by the State. Loans can bf made for a period of three months or less and renewal is allowed only once when necessary. 1901.] COMMEECIAL JAPA2^. 2297 The bank receives deposits and makes advances in current accounts. The Bank of Japan does not pay interest on current deposits. Customers place their surplus money in the vault of the bank to secure the convenience of drawing checks upon it. The banks of the clearing-house association also settle their daily balances -with their current accounts in the bank. Indeed, either in Tokyo or Osaka the whole business of the clearing house is transacted in a room of the building of the Bank of Japan. The bank also issues deposit receipts, draft and transfer checks. The distribution of various kmds of coins and bank notes to the different districts of the Empire constitutes no inconsiderable portion of the business of the bank. Hitherto the bank allowed loan and discount exclusively to bankers, being literally the bank of banks; but since June, 1897, the way has been opened to deal directly with individuals and corporations which have good business standing. This measure has been taken to extend the benefit of the low rate of interest to the general market, and to check the excessive profit often secured by other bankers as a mere intermediary between the bank and the public. So at present the rates of interest announced by the bank are of two sorts, namely, banker's rates and private rates. At present they are as follows: Loan. Discount local bill. Current account. Private rate • 2.5 2.3 2.2 2 Banker's rate.-. 2.5 • Interest is counted so much a day per 100 yen. For instance, 2.5 means 2 sen and 5 rin for 100 yen per day. The change of the rates of interest on loans and discounts is subject to the sanction of the minister of finance. Their movements from week to week are carefully watched in commercial circles as indicating the state of the money market. They are determined not to check- the outflow of gold so much as it is in England, but they fluctuate chiefly with reference to the economic conditions at home'. The Bank of Japan has no direct dealings in foreign markets, but it uses its sister institution, the Yokohama Specie Bank, as its foreign agent. Indeed, to encourage foreign commerce, the Bank of Japan assists this institution in many ways. Among other favors, the former advances to the latter up the amount of 10,000,000 yen in rediscounting foreign bills at the rate of 2 per cent per annum. Recently it has been proposed to increase the amount of this advance. The indemnity money lately received from China was also trans- ferred from London to Japan through this institution, either by the purchase of bullion or by exchange operations. The whole sum of money thus dealt with amounts to 363,446,464 yen, and this was carried within the space of only two years and a half. The total business transactions of the bank for 1898 were 9,019,330,231 yen. The discount of commercial paper amounts to 287,746,025 yen, representing 105,515 pieces of various kinds of bills. The advances upon securities amount to 128,060,910 yen, in 3,751 separate transactions. In current account 530,579,883 yen were paid and 532,530,150 yen were received. The range of these discounts and loans at one date fluctuate between a minimum of 55,134,193 yen and a maximum of 98,642,637 yen. Generally speaking, about three-fourths of this business is done in Tokyo and Osaka, while the rest is distributed arnong the other three branches and one subbranch. The following figures will show the growth of business of the bank since its foundation: Total-business transactions. Amount received in de- posit account: Total loans and discounts. 1883 Yen. 167,639,152 2, 657, 655, 064 1,888,088,536 9,019,330,231 Yen. 14,988,494 27,245,446 216,112,764 532,530,150 Yen. 6,943,950 81,007,987 159,773,825 415,806,935 1887 ; 1892 .^ 1898 PERIODICAL REPORTS OP THE BANK. The bank is required to advertise every week in the Oflicial Gazette the average amount of its note issue. In the Bank of Japan, as in the Bank of England, the issue department is quite separated from the business department. Since January, 1897, the bank has felt it ad^^sable to make public the statement of the condition of its business department at the close of every week. These two reports are published every Wednesday in the Gazette. They are given herewith to show the latest condition of the bank. THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BANK. The Bank of Japan, being the only bank of issue, is not only placed under the control of the Government, but it is heavily burdened in return for the privileges granted. It has, as said before, to perform the following among other functions: (1) The receipt and disbursement of Government money. (2) The call and payment of the principal as well as the interest on the national debt. (3) The custody of money and the goods intrusted to the Government. (4) The redemption of the Government paper money. (5) The redemption of the national-bank notes. (6) The rediscounting of foreign bills of exchange for the Yokohama Specie Bank, at specially low rates. All these involve considerable sacrifice for the bank, but are done simply for the public convenience, as directed by the Government. For the management of the Governinent money there are established 44 treasuries in the principal towns of the Empire, and each treasury has a certain number of subtreasuries. These are all placed under the control of the central treasury, which is in the bank. Most of the treasuries are intrusted to other banks as agencies of the bank, which are paid for their management. In addition to all these, the bank is under an important obligation to support the pubhc credit in times of financial emergency. During the late war of 1894r-95 it performed most valuable services for the country. Indeed, the war would not have been possible without the effective cooperation of the bank. At the commencement of the war the negotiation of a foreign loan was quite generally favored in influential quarters. But the bank opposed this idea, and was fully confident that it could depend upon the internal 2298 C0MME:RCIAL JAPAIf. [December, resources. While it supplied the Government with the necessary funds and did its best in collecting subscriptions to the war loan, the bank was always active in providing capital to trade and industries. To the high credit of the bank, its notes circulated during the war even in the heart of the Leao Tung peninsula of China. The total cost of the war was 200,475,508 yen, but this was paid without causing any serious calamities in industrial circles. ADMINISTEATIVE MACHINERY OP THE BANK. The government of the Bank of Japan is composed of a governor, vice-governor (now vacant), four directors, and from three to five auditors. The governor and vice-governor are appointed by the Gevernment for five years. The directors are also chosen by the Government out of the double number of candidates nominated at the general meeting of shareholders, and their term of ofiice is four years. The governor and the directors meet daUy together and constitute the governing board, which decides, all important questions of the bank. The auditors are elected by the shareholders for the term of three years. They constitute the board of auditors, which meets at least once a month. All important actions of the board of directors, such as the changes of the rate of interest and the rate of dividend to be declared, are subject to their approval. They also inspect books and documents of the bank. The governor, the vice- governor, the directors, and auditors constitute the general meeting of the bank, which deliberates upon questions proposed by the governor. These ofiicers must live in Tokyo, and during their terms of office they can not accept any other office either in the Govern- ment or other banks and corporations. The regular meeting of shareholders takes place semiannually, on the third Saturday of February and August. Those who own ten shares or more have a voice at this meeting, Besides these bodies, the Government appoints a certain number of comptrollers out of the high officers of the treasury department. They have the power to stop any act either contrary to the laws and by-laws or deemed to be against the best interest of the Government. They weekly visit the bank and receive various reports regarding the condition of the bank and its transactions. They can attend any meeting of the bank officers and express their views in regard to the business of the bank. The internal organization of the bank has passed through many changes since its foundation. At present it is divided into eight departments and the office of the private secretary ; namely, inspection department, business department, teller's department, issue department, state treasury department, secretary's department, the department of securities, and accountant's department. The control of each department and of each branch or subbranch is intrusted to either managers or submanagers, who number at present twenty- three. The total number of employees now stands at 1,102. The bank has had already four governors, and the present incumbent is the fifth, in the person of Mr. Tatsuo Yamamoto. He has already rendered very distinguished services to the bank, both as a director and as the chief of the business department. At the resignation of Baron Iwasaki:; in October last, he was promoted to the present office. He is still a young man of 43 and much is expected ia his future career. COLLECTION OF DEBTS IN JAPAN. In reply to the State Department's instruction of M&tch. 17, 1899, Oonsul-General Gowdy states that the method of collecting debts in Japan is in general similar to that prevailing in the United States, namely, by action at law simply or by action with attachment of liie debtor's property. The comrts provided for this purpose are — (1) Ku saibansho, or local courts, having jurisdiction over claims under 100 yen ($50) in amount. (2) Chiho saibansho, or district courts, havings jurisdiction in cases involving larger amounts. From the chiho saibansho appeals lie to the (3) Koso in, or appeal courts, and to the (4) Daishin in, or supreme court of the Empire. Foreign plaintiffs not residing in Japan should furnish their agents or attorneys with ample powers of attorney, with authority of substitution. Such documents should be attested by a diplomatic or consular officer of Japan. Foreign plaintiffs are required to give security for costs. The period of limitation of actions arising out of contracts for the sale of goods is two years. NEW LAWS IN JAPAN. Mr. Herod, secretary of the legation at Tokyo, sends the State Department, under date of April 10, 1899, translations of recent laws relating to the duties of consular officers and to the arrest and detention of mariners of foreign vessels, as follows; LAW RELATING TO CONSULAB DUTIES. Article I. Restrictions with regard to matters in the treaties especially relating to the rights of consular officers shall, within limits prescribed by law, be fixed by ordinance. Art. II. When provisions of law are wanting in regard to matters relating to the duties of consular officers under the treaties, in cases where such provisions of law are required they shall be determined by ordinance. Art. III. Consular officers and others who, in accordance with this law, are performing consular . functions, shall perform their duties in harmony with the provisions of the laws and treaties. Such officers, however, may conform to the usages founded on international law or to the special usages of the place of residence. When, the preceding clause can not be observed, special regulations may be fixed by ordinance. Art. IV. When the date of the operation of a law in foreign countries is not fixed, the date of the operation of said law shall be fixed by ordinance. Art. V. The limits of jurisdiction relating to the duties of consular officers shall be fixed by notification. Art. VI. Consular officers who, by treaty in usage, have authority to exercise consular judicial powers, shall perform their duties relating to civil and criminal cases and to registration in harmony with Articles VII and XIII. 1901.] COMMEEOIAL JAPAN. 2299 Abt. VII. With respect to the duties mentioned in the preceding article, consular officers may, within limits not opposed to the law, treaty, or usage, perform the functions of a district or local court of justice. Art. VIII. Consular officers can not conduct a trial for a major criminal offense. In minor criminal cases a preliminary examination is not necessary. Art. IX. The trial of cases of major criminal offenses, the preliminary examination of which has been conducted by a consular officer, shall belong to the jurisdiction of the Nagasaki district court. Art. X. When diplomatic correspondence is necessary relating to a case belonging to the jm-isdiction of a consular officer, the minister for foreign affairs may order the consular officer not to take jurisdiction, and may cause the accused to be placed in a prison of the country. In the case mentioned in the preceding clause the minister of justice shall, when the case falls within the province of a district court, cause the public prosecutor of the Nagasaki court of appeals to apply to that court to appoint the place of trial; and when the case belongs to the province or a local court, he shall cause the public prosecutor of the Nagasaki district court to apply to that court to determine jurisdiction. Art. XI. With respect to the petition and trial mentioned in the preceding article, the provisions of Article XXXIII of the law of civil procedure shall be applied. Art. XII. Appeal from a decision in a case tried by a consular officer belonging to the scope of a district court shall be made to the Nagasaki court of appeals. Appeal from the decision in a case tried by a consul which falls within the scope of a local court shall belong to the jurisdiction of the Nagasaki court. Art. XIII. A consular officer may cause a member of his consulate or a police officer to act in the capacity of public procurator or clerk of court. When there is no suitable person to serve in the capacity of clerk of court as^ provided in the preceding clause, the consular officer may select some Japanese subject residing within the district of his jurisdiction to perform the duties of clerk temporarily. Art. XIV. A consular officer may cause a member of his consulate or a police officer to perform the duties of public undertaker. The person who executes the function mentioned in the preceding clause may, on his own responsibility, specially intrust the performance of the duties to another suitable person. Art. XV. Any person who desires to act in the capacity of counsel or attorney, except in accordance with the provisions of law, must receive the permission of the consular officer. Art. XVI. The provisions relating to contempt of court usually applied to courts of law shall not be appHed to consular officers or others performing their duties in accordance with this law. Art. XVII. In case there is no person to perform the duties mentioned in Articles XIII and XIV, the minister of foreign affairs may dispatch an official from another consulate in the same country to perform the said duties. Art. XVIII. A person Who is not a consular officer can be appointed by ordinance to perform the duties of such officer, as set forth in the provisions of this or other laws, only in a place where there ia no consulate established. Art. XIX. The terms " consul or consular officer," as used in this law and other laws, designate consuls or their deputies who are not honorary consuls. Art. XX. Provisions necessary for the enactment of this law shall be fixed by ordinance. Art. XXI. The regulations of consular courts in China and Korea shall be abolished from the date of enforcement of this law. LAW RELATING TO ARREST AND DETENTION OF MARINERS OF FOREIGN VESSELS. Article I. Assistance in the arrest or detention of mariners of foreign vessels, as provided for in the treaties of navigation and commerce and consular conventions with the various treaty powers, shall be given by the public prosecutor on the application of the proper consular officer. Art. II. -In the following cases the public prosecutor can not comply with the request for assistance in arrest or detention: (1) When the person to be arrested or detained is a Japanese subject. (2) When a person is under trial for a major or minor criminal offense in Japan or undergoing punishment therefor. (3) When a mariner has already been reieased according to Article VIII and application is again made on the ground of the same offense, (4) When the consular officer does not include with the application a correct copy of the ship's register and the list of names of mariners or a certified document sufficient to identify the mariner. (5) When the consular officer will not guarantee the costs connected with the assistance. Art. Ill, The public prosecutor, upon receipt of an application from a consular officer for the arrest or detention, if the request appears to be a proper one, shall comply with the same immediately. Art. IV. When the public prosecutor orders the arrest of a mariner, he shall issue a warrant of arrest. Art. V. The person to whom the order for the execution of a warrant of arrest is given shall, when the arrest is made, deliver (the person) to the public prosecutor who issued the warrant of arrest. Art. VI. In the case mentioned in the preceding article, the public prosecutor shall immediately inspect the person, and, when it appears that he is without doubt the person designated, shall deliver him to the consular officer. Art. VII. OxL application from the consular officer, the mariner who has been arrested shall be put in prison by the order of the public proseciitor. Art. VIII. A mariner who has been detained shall, on the application of the consular officer, be released; or he may be released if within six months from the day of arrest no application has been received for his delivery. Art. IX. In regard to the issuance and execution of a warrant of arrest, the provision in the law of criminal procedure respecting wai-rants of arrest shall be applied. Art. X. Application shall be made by the public prosecutor to the proper consular officer for the amount of actual expense connected with the assistance. Art. XI. The public prosecutor shall, on receipt of an application for assistance ui arrest or detention, immediately report the same to the minister of -justice; likewise when the request appears to be one that can not be complied with, it shall be reported to the iDinister of justice on the completion of the proceedings. 2300 COMMEEOIAL JAPAif. [Dhcbmbeb, LENGTH OF RAILWAYS IN JAPAN. [From United States Consular Keport, 18si9.] Consul-General Gowey sends from Yokohama, under date of August 24, 1898, the following printed statement, showing authorized and completed mileage of railways of Japan on July 31, 1898: NAME OF COMPANY. Japan Eankal , lyo Sanyo , Sanuki , Kanshl , Osaka Kobu , Kvushiu , Sobu , Sangu Hoshiu Kawagoye Ome , Sano Nara Hantan Naniwa Boso Ota Nanyo Dozo Kyoto Cnuyetsu Narita Hokuyetsu .■. . . Kozuke Toyokawa Kayo Karatsu Kogyo Nishinari Author- ized (total) length, Miles. 863.14 6.22 12.79 321. 47 27.19 150.63 46.25 26.77 323.73 72 26.16 59.61 18.4 13 9.64 38.17 71.14 16.6 53.03 12.12 6.66 3.06 ■ 104. 06 22.6 31.79 99.06 21 18.66 11.23 27.3 3.62 Length completed Miles. 821. 16 6.22 12.79 280.06 27.19 140. 57 46.26 26.77 282.51 72 26.15 48.34 18.4 13 9.64 37.1 30.62 16.6 26.74 9.74 6.66 3.06 6.27 18.4 24.57 66.47 21 13.36 6.06 3.62 NAME OF COMPANY. Nankal Nanboku . . . Hankaku. . . Kiwa Koya Chugoku . . . Nanao Seiwa Iga Zuso Imari Omi Yamaga Kibi Bisei Tsugaru Kiube Uwajima . , . Ganyetsu . . . Tolu Tokushima . JosiO Shunko Tobu Ishlnomaki. Mobu Joya Tango Tsuga , Total 3,521.2 Author- ized (total) length. 42.31 12.38 68.68 32.34 23.7 98.13 31.6 64.75 25.4 10.41 8.27 27. 45 12.4 13 16 20 260. 74 16.4 108. 52 140 21.66 62.12 46.43 48.61 39.62 32.37 31.26 34.45 13.62 Length eompleted, Miles. 20.6 12.33 14.22 10.79 10.38 31.6 7.3 '7.' 42' 3.13 2,231.16 JAPAN A.ND THE NICARAGUA CANAL, [From the New York CommerciaL] According to S. Uchida, the Japanese consul at this port, the United States has found in Japan a strong champion in the huilding of the Nicaragua Canal. Though the United States has gone steadily ahead in its determination to cut through the narrow neck of Central America and thus join the two great oceans, rumors of international disputes have grown so numerous that even those who have been most enthusiastic in the advocation of the canal have grown to fear the outcome of its construction. From the Far East, however, recently came the report that the merchants and officials of Japan-were heartily in favor of the canal, and yesterday Mr. Uchida was willing to be quoted to the effect that his countrymen and his Government were particularly anxious that the canal should be pushed through as rapidly as possible and that it should be controlled exclusively by the United States. "My Government has always advocated the building of this canal," said Mr. Uchida, "and of course the hope has always been entertained that it would be exclusively controlled by the Americans. Japan only desires fair treatment, which it will undoubtedly receive, and will ask no favors. Should this canal be cut through, the shipping interests of the United States would not only be greatly benefited, but I also believe that it would greatly encourage the shipping interests of Japan. At present most of the trade between the United States and Japan is carried on from San Francisco and Seattle, but if the canal was completed to-day I am almost certain that the Gulf and Atlantic ports would receive a large proportion of the trade from my own country, which probably would be quickly doubled. Already several Japanese bottoms have appeared in the Gulf and on the Atlantic coast, but the trip around the Horn is entirely too long to render it possible for any successful trading in native vessels. The big canal would solve the problem, and my Government is heartily in favor of it." From one of the most extensive Japanese importers in the country it was learned yesterday that quite recently a memorial was addressed to the Japanese throne urging the Emperor and his cabinet to take a bold stand in support of the effort of the United States to build the Nicaragua Canal. "At present the Japanese merchants are practically at the mercy of British shipowners," said the Commercial's informant. "The appearance in the Pacific of the United States as a power gives sufficient reason to believe that once the Nicaragua Canal • is built this Government will be able to protect it, and, above all, able to control it absolutely. Japan is already weary of the domination of the English and French shipping agencies, and hopes that with the building of the Nicaragua Canal not only to encourage her own shipping, but also to see the advent of the Yankee ship as an important factor in Oriental commerce. At present nearly every ship that enters the harbor of San Francisco laden with Japanese merchandise carries a British or a French flag. The day should not be far distant when the products of Japan should be carried to this country in American bottoms and the American export trade in the Pacific handled by the same shipping merchants." Local exporters were greatly interested yesterday in the report tljat the Japanese Government had been making experiments in buying at Gulf ports. The original news that three or four Japanese vessels had appeared at certain Southern ports, most noticeably Mobile, during the last few months was not considered as of much importance, but a dispatch to one of the large exporting houses from its agent at San Francisco conveyed the intelligence that the vessels were really sent out, not by merchants, but by the officials of the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce, evidently for the purpose of seeing what advantages could be secured in the way of buying and selling in these ports. Whether or not this investigation is but part of the plan to demonstrate -the value of the Nicaragua Canal to Japan could not be ascertained. When Mr. Uchida was questioned upon the subject, he simply smiled and intimated that his Government had already made exhaustive experiments in that direction. 1901.] COMMEEOIAL JAPA^. 2301 A BRITISH VIEW OF TRADE PROSPECTS IN JAPAN. The London and China Telegraph of July 3, 1899, publishes the following from E. G. E. Forster, acting consul-general at Yokohama: Very naturally, merchants and other residents, the bulk of whom are British, have been and are still anxious to ascertain the conditions under which they will reside and trade hereafter. These conditions depend in a great measure upon recent legislation of the Japanese Diet, which has been to a large extent directed to meet conditions consequent upon the abolition of extraterritorialty, but it has now been more or less satisfactorily ascertained that a variety of laws, more particularly those governing the taxation of trades and industries and merchant shipping (tonnage dues) , which threatened to effect the foreign merchants unfavorably, have either been amended or defined in a manner which should assure them that their important interests wUl not be materially affected or their enterprise be unduly handicapped. In respect of taxation, British merchants, if not others, recognize the justice of being now taxed, though, after forty years of exemption from any tax whatsoever, the change can not be welcome. While the future for the foreign merchant generally may not be full of promise, it should be a great comfort to the British trader to think that he has been mainly instrumental in building up for Yokohama a foreign trade amounting last year to close on £20,000,000 or, roughly, 200,000,000 gold yen, whereas the foreign trade for the whole of Japan (treaty ports, not including Kob6-Hyogo) for six months is, in a report dated February 21, 1860, described as follows: "In the midst of all these impediments, from $300,000 to 1400,000 have been turned over by foreign merchants in the six months, there is reason to believe at an enormous profit and not without considerable advantage to the Japanese engaged — a result which shows that the country possesses the elements of a flourishing trade." For purposes of comparison the following figures are interesting: In 1888 the share of Japanese merchants in the import trade was 8,499,788 yen, to the foreign merchants 53,820,246 yen, 1897 the figures being 79,560,939 yen and 138,879,084 yen, respectively. In exports the Japanese merchants' share in 1888 was 7,081,324 yen, that of the foreign merchants 56,599,289 yen, and in 1897 44,374,130 and 115,013,429 yen represented the respective shares after ten years' development, mostly favorable to the Japanese merchants. Though British trade does not go on increasing by leaps and bounds, and even occasionally shows a setback, its position is eminently satisfactory. In 1898 Great Britain and the colonies' share in the iihport trade of Yokohama was £9,680,628, or 76 per cent, and in the export trade £1,891,488, or 23 per cent. However other countries may improve, there is no reason to suppose that British merchants in Japan are not using their best efforts to keep what they have got. In another respect also the British mercantile community may congratulate itself on being in possession of the lion's share of such lands held from the Japanese Government under perpetual leases, the interests in which are specially safeguarded in the new treaties. Of the whole area constituting the foreign settlement in Yokohama — ^namely, 338,024 tsubo (1 tsubo equal 36 square feet; 1,200 tsubo equal 1 acre) — 173,987 tsubo, 51 per cent, are owned by British subjects. Small as this area of 145 acres may seem, it is a most valuable holding, for the land which passed into the possession of the foreign settler at an average price of £192 and £66 per acre is now, at a moderate valuation, worth £9,000 per acre in the settlement, and £2,000 on the Hill Settlement. But the value of land in the neighboring big thoroughfares of the native town of Yokohama is still higher, front lots being worth £36,000 an acre and rear lots £20,000 an acre, and the rentals for such being at the rate of £1,470 per acre per annum. It should be stated, however, that Japanese business premises do not as a rule occupy large spaces, though there is a tendency on the part of Japanese banks and similar institutions to build in Western style — on a larger scale. Yokohama, with its present population (Japanese) of 183,760 (foreign) 5,213, has become an extremely valuable spot in the Japanese Empire, and owes its prosperity entirely to foreign trade. In addition to the four foreign banks already existing, the Busso-Chinese Bank has established itself at this port, and it is not unreasonable to suppose that sooner or later the requirements of German merchants and the prospects of business may induce a German bank to start here. Seventeen Japanese banks, with capital aggregating 19,810,000 yen, or, roughly, £2,000,000, are estabUshed at Yokohama. Four of them have capitals of 1,250,000 yen and upward. Japan apparently does not rest satisfied with the extraordinary efforts already made by her for the development of her mercantile marine and shipping trade. During 1898 the Nippon Yusen Kaisha added 6 vessels (five of which were built in England), aggregating 34 724 tons, to their fleet, and it has now running on the European line 12 steamers of a gross tonnage of 73,623 tons and 6 steamers, averaging 3,000 tons, on the Australian and American lines. In addition, another Japanese company, the "Toyo Kisen Kaisha" (Eastern Steamship Company), represented at this port by the agents for the Pacific Mail and O. and O. companies, has started running three new steamers of 3,000 ton's each between San Francisco and Hongkong via Japan ports and Honolulu, and which are likely to have a large share of the ever-increasing trans-Pacific passenger traffic. The gold standard has been most beneficial to both the import and export trades of Japan. The export trade was helped by a feeling of security on the part of shippers that their neighbors would not, later on, be able to come into the market with lower prices owing to a drop in exchange, and this must also have been the feeling on the part of buyers at home. The import trade was much in excess of exports, and had it not been for the ability of bankers to ship gold to make up the balance to a large extent, there is no knowing to what depth exchange might have fallen. Thus Japan has had to pay much less for her imports than she otherwise would have had. The paper currency has not been displaced by gold for ordinary use, and thus still remains the ordinary circulating medium representing gold instead of silver. No. 6 22 2302 OOMMEECIAL JAPAN". [Decembei^ THE WEALTH OF JAPAN. [From the Japan- American Commercial Journal.] Last October we published statistics compiled by a writer calling bimBelf " Onjoji Kyoshi," with reference to tibe wealth of Japan. The total sum, according to his estimate, was 7,898,062,444 yen, and the items were as follows: Ycm. Lands ■ 3,527,085,739 Livestock .' 59,896,722 Buildings 1, 0812;, 697, 116 Furniture and fittings .541,283,558 Railways , , 116,171,i819 Shipping 28,440,536 Merchandise , , 428,380,142 Specie and bullion _ 139,721,201 Miscellaneous 1,974,516,611 Grand total .< 7,898,062,444 Beferring to this table, we said: The above figures are based on statistics for 1894 and 1895. iu our ojmnioii the value of lands should be neady doubted, aad thai of buildings increaised by 50 per cent. It is worth noting that Giffem's estimate of the wealth of the Umited Kingdom in 1875 was £8,548,000,000, or over ten times the figure for Japan. On the whole, a yen in Japan is approximately the representatdve ©f a, sovereagn in England. Mr. Kusaka Yoshio has now undralaken the same caleukiion, Hnd, aiter devoting sis months to the work, has armsied at tihese results: Yen. Lands , ID, 000, 000, <300 Livestock 75,'000,t)00 Buildings , 1,919, 000, «00 Furniture and. works of art 788,000,000 Eailways, telegraphs, and aqueducts , 90,000,000 Bhipping— : «8, 000, COO Mmes 405,000,000 Marine products - '272,000,000 Capital (paid up) of companies and banks 242,000,000 Specie and bulUon ns 000,000 Miscellaneous 1,028,000,000 Total: 15,033,000,000 It will be seen that Mr. Kusaka's total is nearly twice that of " Onjo]! Kyoshi;" that he more than doubles the latter's ^figure for the value oi arable and forest lands, and that he nearly doubles the figure for buildings. It appears to us that Mr. Kusaka'B estimate is nearer the truth than that of the former economist. He arrives at his results thus.: LAND. The total area of the land in Japan is 413,201, 088 tan (103,300,272 acres), of which 274,678,144 tan (68,669,536 acres) belong to the Government and 138,522,944 tan (34,630,736 acres) to the people. Now, the total yearly produceof Wie people's land is 1,000,000,000 yea annually, half of which must be set aside on account of labor and other costs of production, so that the net income derived from the land is 500,000,000 yen; and if that be regarded as 5 per cent of the value of the land we get 10,000,000,000 yen as the aggregate value of the privately owned lands. With regard to the lands owned by the Govemraent there are no means of making any estimate, and Mr. Kusaka consequently omits them altogether from the list. It will be seen that Mr. Kusaka assesses the gross average yearly produce of the land at 28 yen an acre, approximately, and the net produce at 14 yen, or 28 shillings. That is a liberal estimate, especially siaee the question of forests and moors does not appear to be taken into account. The area of forest land owned by the people is 7,300,000 cho (18,26.0,000 acres), and the area of moor land is 1,060,000 cho (2,650,000 acres'). Deducting these figures, we find that the area of arable land owned by the people is only 13,730,706 acres; and since we know that the gross income derived from the moors amd forests certainly does not fixceed 40,000,000 yen annually, it would appear that Mr. Kusaka estimates the yield of the arable land at about 72 yen gross per acre, or 36 yen nel;, which seems to us to be above the mark. Two years ago we also examined this question, and arrived at the conclusion that the gross produce of the land, exclusive of root crops, concerning which no statistics are available, amounted to about 700,000,000 yen annually. There was thus a difference of 300,000,000 between our calculation and that of Mr. Kusaka, but without a more detailed statement of his method of reaching his conclusion it is impossible to query his accuracy. LIVE STOCK. Yen. Number of homed cattle, 1,091,360; total valued at 35 yen per head 38,000,000 Number of horses, 1,477,021; total valued at 25 yen per head 37,000,000 Total 75,000,000 These figures are certainly not excessive. An average price of 70 shillings a head for cattle and 50 shillings a head for horses — although the former are diminutive in Japan and the latter mere ponies— seems to err on the side of conservatism. i«01-3 COMMEECIAL JAPA2S. 2303 BUILDINGS. Yen. Number of dwellings, 7,884,263^ valued at 200 yen eack 1,577,000,000 Number oi shrines, 190,803; valued at 1,000 yen each 191,000,000 Number of temples, 71,831; valued at 1,000 yen each 72,000,000 Buddhist eidota, 36,498; valued at 500 yen each 18,000,000 Schools, 1,594; valuedat 10,000 yen each 16,000,000 Departments of state, 10; valued at 300,000 yen each 30,000,000 City and prefectuial offices, 50; valued at 30,000 yen each 2,000,000 City and pref ectural assembly buildings, 50; valued at 20,000 yen each 1, 000, 000 Local (district) offices and police stations, 1,700; valued at 1,000 yen eack 2,000,000 Jails, 50; valued at 50,000 yen each 3,000,000 Militaiy divisional buildings, 7; valued at 500,000 yen each 4,000,000 Military brigade buildings, 28; valued at 100,000 yen each 3,000,000 Naval ports, 3; valued at 1,000,000 yen each 3,000,000 Total 1,919,000,000 It -will be ob^i-ved that -whereas barracks are inchided in the above list, fortifcflcations are excluded, and so are arsenals, private dockyards, harbors, and factories. As to harbors, dockyards, and factories, Mr. Kosaka doubtless includes their value in the paid-up capital of companies. ^A.rsenafa, hcwever, might fairly be added to the list, though fortifications are properly omitted. MHlIflTUEE AND WOEKS OF AST. The figure under this heading is obtained by allowing an average of 100 yen per house. RAILWAYS, TliiLEaKAPHS, AND AQUEDUCTS. The average net profit obtained from the State railways in the last four years was 4,000,000 yen, and if this be capitalized at twenty years' purchase, we have a value of 80,000,000 yen. Thus the figures stand: Yen. State railways ^... 80,000,000 Telegraphs, 12,212 ri (30,530 miles) ; valued at 450 yen per ri 6,000,000 Submarine cables, 387 nautical miles; valued at 3,000 yen per mile '. 1,000,000 Aqueducts, 100 ri (275 miles)'. 3,000,000 Total 90,000,000 We can not regard this estimate as quite satisfactory. Considering that the mileage of the State railways has been steadily aug- mented year by year for several years past, the net profit during the last year of working would be a more correct figure for the purposes of such an account than the average profit for four years. But the difference would be only 20,000,000 -or 30,000,000 at any rate. Mr. Kusaka omits the private railways, doubtless because the cost of constructing them appears in the paid-up capital of companies. The propriety of the omission may be questioned. At the lowest estimate the market value of the private lines now in operation is 140,000,000 yen, and if we substract that sum from the paid-up capital (242,000,000) of the companies and banks, we obtain 102,000,000- yen as the value of all the factories, dockyards, and "other movable and immovable property of in.dustrial and commercial associations in the Empire. That is surely too low an estimate. SHIPPING. Y«n. Foreign, model ships, 254,'692 tons, valued at 100 yen per ton 25,000,000 Japanese model ships, 2,960,887 boku, valued at 5 yen per koku 15,000, 000 Fishing, pleasure, and rowir^ boats and lighters, 200,000 koku, valued at 5 yen per koku 1, 000, 000 Men-of-war, 112,760 tons, valuedat 500 yen per ton ' 56,000,000 Torpedocraft, 1,898 tons, valued at 590 yen per ton 1,000,000 Total.... 98,000,000 This is certainly a very conservative estimate so far as the navy is concerned. The figures for men-of-war must be at least 100,000,000 yen too small. MINES. The yearly yield of the mines is 40,506,833 yen, one-half of which may be regarded as the cost of working. Hence capitalizing at twenty years' purchase as before, the resulting value is 405,000,000 yen. MARINE PRODUCTS. The yearly yield is about 27,227,047 yen, half of which being regarded as net profit and capitalized at twenty years' purchase, the value is 272,000,000. CAPITAL (paid rrp) OF COMPANIES AND BANES. The total paid-np capital is 259,000,000 yen, from which has been deducted 17,000,000, being the value (already included under the head of shipping) of the vessels (165,000 tons) belonging to the Nippon Yusen Kaisha and the Osaka Shosen Kaisha 2304 COMMEEOIAL JAPAK [Decbmbeb, MISCELLANEOUS. There are no trustworthy data for estimating the value of miscellaneous properties. Mr. Kusaka has therefore followed Mulhall, who adopta a figure representing 6.8 per cent of the country's wealth. That method of calculation gives 1,028,000,000 yen in Japan's case. It is difficult, however, to indorse such a manner of estimate. In Great Britain, objects such as jewelry, plate, and books are included in the category of miscellaneous; and since they represent the accumulations of hundreds of years in a country where conflagrations are comparatively rare, their value must reach an enormous figure. Plate and jewelry have practically no existence in Japan, and the value of the public and private libraries does not, we think, amount to anything like as large a fraction of the national wealth as it does in Great Britain. Mr. Kusaka, it will be observed, estimates the miscellaneous objects at a figure equal to one-tenth of the value of the land. It is a pity that he has not explained precisely what he includes under the heading. We do not pretend to assert that his figure is too large, however. What we desire to point out is the difference between England and Japan. If it be correct to assert that "miscellaneous" objects in Great Brit&in represent only 6.8 per cent of the country's total wealth, then it can not be correct to say the same of Japan, where such objects are obviously of far less value comparatively than in England. On the other hand, the estimates for England may be too low. A tolerably easy way of approaching the matter is to consider, as the main basis of the estimate, the average value of the clothes, jewelry, books, household utensils, and other personal belongings of each unit of the nation. Mr. Kusaka's figure, 1,28,000,000 yen, gives 24 yen approximately per head of population, and that certainly does not appear excessive. Mr. Kusaka's principal object in making the above calculations is to obtain some means of determining whit Japan's yearly national expenditure ought to be. He adopts as fundamental the rule that the State's ordinary annual outlays should not exceed Yhs o^ its total wealth, and thus arrives at the figure of 150,000,000 yen for Japan, to which he adds 50,000,000 for extraordinary expenditures. So far as we are acquainted with the Government's estimates, there will soon be no difficulty in keeping the outlays within that total. Tokyo newspapers publish some other statements which they attribute to Mr. Kusaka, with regard to the comparative wealth and the burdens of taxation in occidental countries and in Japan. But we imagine that there is some mistake on the part of the reporter, for the wealth of each unit of the British population is put at only 383 yen on the average, whereas it is really about 2,300 yen. COTTON MANUFACTURING. Cotton manufacturing in Japan continues to increase. A report to the British foreign office (annual series, 2277) shows that the number of spindles in operation at the end of 1898 was 1,108,404, or more than 200 per cent more than six years ago. The following table shows the number of spindles, number of employees, wages, and profits per spindle for the latter half of the year 1898 in eighteen of the leading spinning companies in Japan: SPINNING FACTOKIES. Settsu Hirano Sakal Miye Fukuyama Owari Koriyama Amagaseki Kurashlki Osaka Lenshu Okayama Temnia Kashu Tokyo Gas Spinning Factory Kishiwada Fukushlma Tamato Number of spindles. 50, 608 38,400 16, 128 49, 712 13,824 30,104 12, 956 59,108 21,672 65,344 19,264 26,136 28,088 9,620 20, 568 22, 666 20,000 11,520 ITOMBEE OF EM- PLOYEES. Male. Female. 600 770 199 632 148 294 273 583 158 914 220 384 178 196 149 349 155 210 2,400 1,771 768 1,881 416 1,477 769 1,596 1,268 3,042 750 1,158 763 655 605 907 615 431 DAILY WAGES. Male. d. •61, 2 to 20 21 to ISi 3» to 17i 2Jto 94 l}tol5 •51 2 to 14 4Jtol5 •6* •61 84 to 15 8} to 18J 14 to 13} 24 to 7* Utol5 Female. d. 14 to 74 14 to 7 11 to 8* 14 to 8J 14 to 64 •34 11 to 64 3 to 8} •4} '3J 2 to 74 2* to 6} 1 to 61 2 to 74 l?to6i Profit per spindle. 5 3 2 3 2 3 1 2 1 1 "3 2 •'2 i>3 1 3 1 2 •Average. ' Loss. The rapid growth of cotton manufacturing in Japan indicated by the above statement accounts for the rapid increase in the exportation of unmanufactured cotton from the United States to Japan, and for the decrease in the exportation of cotton cloths. The following table shows the exportation of raw cotton and cotton cloths from the United- States to Japan since 1893: YEARS. Raw cotton. Cottoncloths. 1893 Pounds. • 793,242 4,801,595 lir064,859 20,194,174 32,011,252 112,106,823 91,367,051 Yards. 89,052 752,266 1,386,970 1,438,553 2,525,985 580,861 529,479 Ig95 1896 -. 1897 1898 1899 . . 1901.] COMMBECIAL JAPAI?. 2305 JAPANESE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. [From Japan-American Commercial Journal.] LONG MEASURE (SASHi). Imo (0.0001 shaku) 0.000099 feet. Irin(lOmo) 0.000099 feet. Ibu (10 rin) 1.4317 lines. l8un(10bu) 1.1931 inches. 1 shaku (10 sun) 11.9305 inches. Iken (6 shaku) 1.9884 yards. 1 jo (10 shaku) 3.3140yards. Icho (60 ken) 5.4229 chains {^^m.) Iri (36 oho) 2.4403 miles (2Jm.) 1 kai-ri (naarine ri) 1.1507 miles. DRY GOODS MEASURE (kUJIRA-JAKu) . 1 sun (0.1 shaku) .'.. 1.3913 inches. 1 shaku (10 sun) ■ 14.9130 inches.. 1 tan About 11 yards. Ihiki About 22 yards. WEIGHT (hAKAKI). Imo 0.000008 pounds (avoirdupois). 1 rin (10 mo) 0.000083 pounds (avoirdupois). WEIGHT (hakaei) — Continued. Ifun (10 rin) ^ 5.7972 grains (avoirdupois). 1 momme (10 fun) 2.1201 drams (avoirdupois). Ikin (160 momme) 1.3251 pounds (avoirdupois). 1 kwan (1,000 momme) 8.2817 pounds (avoirdupois). 1 picul 132J pounds' (avoirdupois). CAPACITY (mASU). 1 shaku (lOsai) 0.003973 gallon. Igo (10 shaku) 1.2706 gill; 0.0199 peck. Isho(lOgo) 1.5881 quarts; 0.1985 peck. Ito (lOsho) , 3.9703 gallons; 1.9851 pecks. Ikoku(lOto) 39.7033 gallons; 4.9629 bushels. SUPERFICIAL MEASURE (tANBETSU). 1 square shaku About 1 square foot. 1 tsubo (36 square shaku ) 3. 9533 square yards. 1 se (30 tsubo) About 119 square yards. Itan (10 se) 0.2451 acre. 1 cho (10 tan) square ; 2.4507 acres. 1 square ri 5.9552 square miles. NEW JAPANESE TARIFF, iSgg. The following is the new Japanese tariff as adopted by the Imperial Parliament and published in the Official Gazette. It went into operation on January 1, 1899: Customs Tariff Law. Law No. 14. — Sanctioned by His Imperial Majesty on the S6th day of the Sd month of the SOth year of Meiji (March S6, 1S97) . Promulgated and published on the S9th day of the Sd month of the SOth year of Meiji {March S9, 1897).^ Article I. On the importation of articles from foreign countries, those enumerated in Class I of the annexed tariff shall be subject to import duties according to the rates of duty set forth in the said tariff; those specified in Class II of the said tariff shall be exempted from import duties; and the importation of the articles named in Class III of the said tariff is prohibited. The articles mentioned in group 15 of Class I of the import tariff are subject to the duty of alcohol. No. 69 of the tariff, when the quantity of pure alcohol contained therein exceeds 65 per cent in volume at the temperature qf 15° C. Art. II. The dutiable value of imported articles shall be the actual cost of the articles at the place of purchase, production, or fabrication, with the addition of packing charges, cost of transportation, insurance, and aU other charges incurred up to the arrival of the articles at the ports of importation. Art. III. In regard to those articles enumerated in the annexed tariff, in respect of which it is found advisable to convert the ad valorem rates of duty into specific duties, the articles and their subdivisions may be determined by Imperial ordinance. The specific duties above mentioned shall be determined according to the rates of duty set forth in the annexed tariff, taking average values for a period of six months or more, and calculated upon the basis prescribed in the preceding article. Art. IV. In case of articles on which two or more rates of duty set forth in the annexed tariff are applicable, it shall be assessed according to the highest of such rates. Art. V. Import duties shall not be levied on the following articles: No. 1. Articles imported for Imperial use. No. 2. Arms, ammunitions, and explosives imported by the Imperial army or navy. No. 3. Ships belonging to the Imperial navy. No. 4. Articles intended for the personal use of diplomatic agents accredited to this Empire. No. 5. Orders of decorations and medals. No. 6. Records, documents, and other writings. No. 7. Samples of commodities, which are only fit as such. No. 8. Traveling effects, carried by travelers. No. 9. Articles imported for permanent exhibition in Government, public, or commercial museums. No. 10. Articles of Japanese origin, reimported from foreign countries within the period of five years from the date of exportation, provided they retain the nature and shape in which they were exported, tobaccos in all shapes and spirituous liquors of all sorts being excluded. No. 11. Reimported articles which were exported to foreign countries for repair. No. 12. Articles of the Government monopoly imported by the Government. • This law and tariff thereunto annexed contain the various amendments made to the same under— 1. Law No. 18 of the 13th day of the 2d month of the 32d year of Meiji (February 13, 1899, which entered into force on August 15, 1899); 2. Law No. 69 of the 15th day of the 3d month of the 32d year of Meiji (March 15, 1899, which entered into force on September 18, 1899). 230'6 OOMMEECIAL JAPA]^. [DscEMBEn, Articles mentioned in Nos. 7, 8, and 9 of this article shall be subject to the approval of the customs authorities at the time of importation. In case of articles mentioned in No. 11 of this article, the period within which reimportation is to take place must be declared to the customs authorities at the time of exportation. Aet. VI. The following articles shall not be subject to import duties, provided they shall be reexported within six months from the date of irnportation; in this case a sum of money equal to the amount of import duties payable or security thereof must be deposited in the customs at the time of importation: No. 1. Articles temporarily imptirted foT repair. No. 2. Articles temporarily imported by travelers engaged in scientific research for the professional 'Use. No. 3. Articles temporarily imported -for purposes of trial. No. 4. Articlestemporarilyimported as samples by merchants, manufacturers, and commercial travelers. No. 5. Articles temporarily imported for theatrical or other similar performances. Aet. VII. Whenever it is deemed necessary to make any modifications in the annexed isniSi, such modifications shall be notifei at least six months prior to the date of enforcement. OERTIPICitTE OF ORIGIN. Mixriue af ordimmees Ma. S85 af the. 27th day of the 10th mBna, of the 30th year of Meiji ( October S7, -1S97), and No. seS of the S9th day of the 12th. month of the 3 1st year of Meiji {Dsaemher 29, 1898). ' Aeticlb I. AH goods imported into this Empire shall, in order to enjoy the benefits of conventional tariffs "under the provisions of the treaties, toe-accompamed by eertiflcate of origin. In Tespecjt, Tiowever, c3 goods which are impdried by parcel post or the dufialale value of which does not exceed 100 yen, no such certificates are required. Aet. II. The certificate of origin shall contain the marks, numbers, descriptiians, number of psickages, weights, .and measurements of the goods, and the place -oifproduotisner if abrication, as well as the jiilaice aaid ;date of depaEtnice; and shall be duly certifled by the Imperial Japanese consulate or commercial agency at the place of departure, or where there is no such consulate or agency, by the custom-house, chamber of commerce, or other competent authorities of fluch place. The certificate of origin shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issue. Art. III. In case no such certificate is attached or, if a:ttached, the pairticulars -contained therein are incomplete, or do not agree with the goods themselves, or in case the certificate shall be deemed improper by the customs authorities, the goods in question shall be srrt)iect to the rates of duty jwcfvided in the general tariff. If, however, a proper certificate shall be produced within the period of six months from the date of iaaaportatiaa of aaeh goods, the duties imposed thereon shall be reduced to the ratio specified in the eomventional tariff. EXriANATOET EEHAEXS. 1. Conversion of ad valorem to specific rates of duty. The genseiEail tariff as enaeted by ithe eustomB teriff law cffloasted wholly of ad valorem rates. In virtue of Article III of that law the several items which are subjected to specific jates of duity in the general tariff column of the annexed tariff were converted from ad ivalcnemto speoifle rates by Imperial Ordinance No. 220, dated the 24th day of the ftth.month of the 31st yearaf Meiji (September 24, 1898) . '2. 'Conventional tariff's. Conventional tariffs exist with the following powers: Aiastria-Hungary, Frasnce, 'Germany, and Great Britain. The States with which conventional rates of duty have been established in respect of the severalitemsi^paariiag im the column of the annexed tarSf headed "CnnvEntioiMiltarilf" are indicated in the "■Oonifcraatmng StS/tes" column iby the if allowing iaitiai letters: A.= Austria-Hungaay; E. =FrKnoe; ©.^Gsrmaray; Cr. B.^=Great Britain- 3. States .and .possessions entitled to most-favored-naiion treatment in the matter of customs duties. In virtue of treaty Stipulations the ^rodtrce and manTifectures of the following countries and possessions on importationB inte-Japan enjoy most-favored-nation treatment in the matter of the rates of customs duties: Austria-Hungary, incliadang her customs union; Belgium; Brazil; Denmark, including Faroe Islands and Iceland, but -excluding the Danish West Indian Islands; France, Imoluding Algeria; Germany, including her customs union; Great Britain, including her colonies and fco-eign possessocQs, excepting India, the Dominion of Canada, the Cape, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, West Australia, N-ew Z^land; Hawaiian Islands; Italy; Mexico; the Netherlands; Peru; Eussia; Siam; Sweden and Norway; 'Switzerland; the United States of America. The following products, not only of ■Portugal proper, "but -of Portuguese colonies," if exported from Portugal or Macao, enjoy, on importation into Japan, most-favored-nation treatment: Cacao nut and its shells; c'offee in the toean^ candles, tallow and all other; hats, including felt hats; leather of all kinds; linen or cotton laces of all kinds; fruits of all kinds (fresh, salted, dried, pickled, and dressed with sugar, oil, vinegar, and preserved in the recipients of glass, earthen, tin plate, aind all other wares); vegetable oil (^live oil, ground-nut oil, sesame oil, cacao oil, and palm oil) ; mineral oil; vegetables, green or preserwd; cork bark, worked; metal manufactures; wares of cotton, woolen, and worsted, and linen tSssues; wares ol leather; lead, pig, ingot, and sheet; fishes^ in oil or preserved; soap. The produce and manufactures 2308 COMMEECIAL JAPAJiT. [Decbmbeb, The Customs Import Taeiff of Japan in Force on and after the First Day of the First Month of the Thirty-second Year OF Meiji (January 1, 1899) — Continued. CLASS I.— ARTICLES SUBJECT TO DUTY— Continued. Tariff No. AETICLES. General tariff. Conven tional tariff. Contraetiiig States. 46a 466 47 48 49 BO 63 66a 665 67 68. 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78a 786 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 88 99 100 Gkoup II. — Beverages and com«s4fl)fes— Continued. Salt meat, excluding salted beeJ and pork ad val. Salted beef and pork in cask 100 kins. Sekikasai (gelidium corneum) do... Tea kin. Vegetables, green, dry, salted, or in brine ad val. All otlier comestibles do... Group III. — Clothing and accessories. Boots and shoes ol all kinds ad val. Braces or suspenders: a. Of silk, wholly or in part do... b. Another do... Buttons, buckles', hooks", and eyes, excepting studs and sleeve or cuff buttons ad val. ButUms of all kinds .' do... Comforters, neckerchiefs, or mufflers: a. Of silk, wholly or in part do B. Another do Gloves of all kinds do Hats, caps, and bonnets: a. Set with gold, silver, or gems, etc do 6. Of silk do... c. All other kinds do Hats, in^cluding also Jiais of felt ,..do... Scarfs and neckties: o. Of silk, wholly or In part do... 6. Another do... Shawls: a. Of wool, embroidered, or of silk wholly or inT)art...w do — 6. Another do Shirts do..., Socks, hose, or stockings, knit: a. Of cotton, wool, or of wool and cotton do b. Of silk, whoUy or in part do — c. Another do Studs, sleeve and cuff buttons or links: a. Of gold or platinum, set with gems, or otherwise do 6. Another* do Trimmings of all kinds, such as braids, cords, ribbons, laces, fringes, gunps, tassels, knots, stars, metallic threads and braids, etc., not otherwise provided for: a. Of gold or silver, wholly or in part ad val.. 6. Of sUk, wholly or in part ■- do — c. Another do:... Undershirts and drawers, knit: a. Of cotton dozen.. a?. Of wool do.... a'. Of wool and cotton do — 6. Of silk, wholly or in part ad val.. c. Another do.... Waterproof coats: a. Of sflk, whoUy or in part do — 6. Another do.... All other clothing and accessories: a. Of silk, wholly or in part ....do — 6. Another do.... Geoup IV. — Drugs, chemicals, and medicines. Acid, carbolic, in crystal ". kin.. Acid, carbolic, liquid ad val.. Acid, salicylic : - kin.. Acid, tartaric do — Alcohol ad val.. Alum 100 kins.. Antifebrin ad val.. Antipyrine do — Betel nut do.... Biakujutsu {Eadix atractylis ovata or aWa) 100 kins.. Bismuth, subnitrate of .kin.. Bleaching powder (chloride of lime or calx chlorinate) ad val.. Borax (biborate of soda) 100 kin.. Camphor, Blumea or Ngai v '?" Camphor, Borneo ad val.. Cassia and cinnamon bark - 100 kins.. Cassia and cinnamon oil kins.. Cataria, leaf of 100 kms.. Cinchona bark 4,°--- Cmchonine, muriate or sulphate of kin.. Cinnabar (hydrargyri sulphuritum rubrum) do — Cloves 100 kins.. Cocaln, hydrochlorate of kin.. Cod liver on ad val.. Collodium, photographic, with iodlzer do — Colombo 100 kins.. Cowbezoar .' ad val.. Cutohand gambler 100 kms., Gentian .do.... Ginseng ad val.. Glycerin .■ -,■„■„■ T^f''^- Gum arable 100 kins.. Gum, benzoin i i" Gum, dragon's blood i ad val.. Gum, myrrh VnVr°""" Gum, olibanum 100 kins.. Hops '^™-- • See No. 450. ' Ad valorem. Yen. 10i< 1.292 0.513 0.062 15ji 20^ Yen. 2bfi 20ji m 2B)< 20j« 20ji 30)t 2&ji 20)i 20^ m 20ji 25i 20^ 20^ 20^ 25^ 20^ 30;^ 25jl 25* 1.410 2.543 1.812 20)( 26^ 255J 20^ 0.036 0.157 0.073 250)( 0.198 lOjl 10^ 10* 0.877 0.2Q6 lOji 1.238 0.377 10)1 0.723 0.202 0.539 1.732 0.200 0.096 1.385 12.983 lOji 10* 0.517 10* 0.927 1.364 ■ 10j« 0.036 1.307 1.124 lOfi 10)i 0.560 0.068 10!< lOjt G., Q. B. 'lO^ 0.206 0.029 a. 1901.] COMMEECIAL JAPAK 2309 The Customs Impobt Tariff of Japan in Force on and after the First Day op the First Month of the Thirty-second Year OF Meiji (January 1, 1899) — Continued. CLASS I.— ARTICLES SUBJECT TO DUTY— Continued. Tariff No. ARTICLES. General tariff. Conven- tional tariff. Contracting States. 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114o. 1146 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 182 133 134 135 136a 1366 136c 136d 136e 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174a. 1746 Gkoup in.— Drugs, chemicals, and medicines— CorAinuai. Iodoform kin . Ipecac 100 Idns. Jalap do. . . Lead, acetate of (sugar of lead) do . . . Liquorice do. . . Mawo ( Epedora imlgaris) do. . . Manganese, black oxide of ad val. Morphine, hydrocWorate or sulphate of kin. Musk ad val . Musk, artificial -• do . . . Nard or spikenard 100 kins. Phosphorus, amorphous {abolished) kin . Pilocarpine, hydrochlorate of ad val . Potash, bromide of kin. Other bromides ad val. Potash, chlorate of (abolished) '. 100 kins. Potash, iodide of ad val. Putchuk 100 kins. Quinine, hydrochlorate or sulphate of ad val . Rosin 100 kins . Rhubarb, powdered or otherwise '. do . . . Saffron kin. Saltpetre (nitrate of potash) 100 kins. Santonlne km. Sarsaparilla 100 kins. Semen cyna do. . . Shellac kin. Soda ash 100 kins. Soda, bicarbonate of 3° ' ' ■ Soda, caustic j ■ " Soda crystals or. wasliing soda do. . . Soda, salicylate of - ■ - -kin • Sojutzu {Radix atractylis lancea) 100 kins. Stick-lac go... Vaseline 5°" ' ' Wogon {Jiadix. scutellai-ia lanceolai'ia) ^ ; ■ All other drugs, chemicals, and medicines ad val . Acid, boracic 100 kins. Insect powder - -„»d yal. Soda, nitrate of 100 kins. Phosphorus, yellow {abolished) do. . . Group V. — Dyes, colours, and paints. Alizarine dyes ad val. Aniline dyes do . Blue, prepared from minerals, drv or liquid 100 kins. . Carmine V„?;'^,'i''''- Cobalt, oxide of 100 kms. Cochineal ad val. Emerald green VAni°"" Galls of all kinds 100 Ions. Gamboge ;j 2;i" Gold, silver, and platinum, liquid V„7,i ■ Indigo, dry 100 kms. Indigo,liquid ad val. Indigo extract and indigo oai-mine ;■„■„•?■""" Lead, all colours ICO kms. Logwood Vnn J^J" Logwood extract ad val' Mangrove bark 100 kins. ■poiTit in nil UO. Paint in oil. SafiElower . .ad val. Sapan wood '■"^^ c}.v,.,i+ au Smalt, Turmeric — Ultramarine. 100 kins. val.. .100 kins do... .ad val. Varnish ion kins Varnish, China 100 kms. Verdigris "^j-- Vermiiion iobkins' Wanshoorgosu ^ do White zinc , ....:.; iadvai" All other dyes, colours, and paints. Gkoup yi.— Glass and r/lass manufactures. Glajss, window, ordinary: innsn ft a. Uncoloured and unstained adval 6. All other J . c. Colored, stained, aiid ground .- ,"■ - ■ ■ Glass, plate, silvered or unsilvered do '" Glass beads, known as ' ' Venetian beads " ^" Glass, broken or powdered do Glass, looking, in frame ^.... ::■,■. do""' Glass, all other manufactures of, not otherwise provided for do"" ObjeOs in glass, crystal and vitrification, excepting window glass ""••■■ Group VII. — Grains and seeds. .100 kins, .do... Yen. 0.511 36.620 4.581 1.282 0.933 0.353 lOii 4.043 15^ 15^ 1.520 0.165 lOjt 0.093 «10i< 2.321 10;< 1.410 IO5S 0.298 1.387 1.177 0.980 0.380 1.681 1.522 0.055 0.351 0.457 0.454 0.227 0.142 0.462 1.870 1.642 0.499 10^ 2.038 10^ 0.471 12. 353 10* lOji 6.690 lOi 34. 628 10«« 10i4 1.715 6.802 15it 12,953 10^ 10^ 1.070 ■ lOji 2.397 0.119 1.304 10^ 0.235 10i< 0.384 1.749 IO5J 3.272 2.297 0.120 5.423 1.230 lOji 0.400 155( i>15^ 20?J 20^ 20i4 «20^ 0.101 0.129 5)S Yen. 0.165 0.093 10^ 2.267 10^ 8^ 0.490 G., G. B. 5^ 10<« lOji 12.953 2.150 lOji 1.304 A. G. F.,G. G. B. G., G. B. 10?J lOfi lOjf Barley Beans, soia - ,- •: .•■•■ nd vnl Beans, peas, and all other kinds of pulses excepting so]a beans au vai. . Included in the general tariff under No. 136. « Included in the general tariff under Nos. 169 and 172. b Included in the general tariff under No. 1676. No. 6 23 G., G. B. G., G. B. A. A. 2aio OGMMEECIAL JAPAS. [Decbmbek, The Customs Impoet Taeifp off Japan, tx Force on and ArKrsR the First Day qf the Fmssi Month of the THiBiy-SBCGND Year OF Meiji (jANiirABY 1, 1899) — Contimied. CLASS I.— ARTICLES SUBJECT TO DUTY— Continued.. Tariff No. ARTICLES. General tariff. Conven- tional tariff. Contracting States. 175 176 177 178 179a 1796 180 181 182 183 184 185 185 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203a 2036 204 205 206 207 208a 2086 209 210 211 212 213 214a 2146 215 216 217a' 2176 218 219a 2196 220a 2205 221 222 223 224a 2242) 225a 2256 226 227a 2276 228 229a 2296 230 231a 2316 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 Geoup YU.— Grains and seecfs— Continued. Indian com adival. Oats Jo--- Sesame WO tins. Wheart JO-- Cotton seeds •t'O- - - All otber grains and seeds, not otherwise provided for ad val. Group Vni. — Rorns, ivory, skins, Iiairs, sliells, etc. Bones, animal - • • ^^ val. Feathers and downs of all kinds ,- 3"' ' ' Furs, dressed or otherwise - QO- ■ - Hair, animal, axclnding wool, and goat's and coanel'shair do... Hair, hnmnn 100 kins. Hides or skins, bull, ox, cow, and huffalo, raw, dried, salted or piekled, and undressed do. . . Hides or skins, deer, raw, dried, salted' or pickled, and undressed 5°' ' ' Hides or skins. Samba (Cervus elephas) , raw, dried, salted or pickled, and undressed , dO'- . . Hoofs, animal j**' ' ' Horns, ball, ox, cow, and buffalo T^'" Horns, deer -do - - - Horns, rhinoceros ad val. Ivory or tusks, elephant .km. Ivory or tusks, elephant, waste ad val . Ivory or tusks, narwhal or unicorn do_. , . Ivory or teeth of walrus or seahorse kin- Leather, sole lOO-kins. Leather, all other ad val. Tortoise shells no... Tortoise shells, waste do- . . All other bonesj horns, hides, or skins, raw, and shells. do. . . All other tusks or teeth of animals. do. . . Yen. 55« 55i 0.197 0.153 0.044 ■ibi, 2^ 5f 5.6(1 0.962 1.588 6.661 0:414 0.604 0.654 10^ 0.298 10j(- lOji 0.102 7.441 5« 15>( 155< 15^ 1(3^ 5j( 3.070 3.086 lOjt 10s« 0.915 Sji 3.464 3.488 3.956 lfl)< 7.496 5^ 0.799 6.020. 6.257 0.083 0.366 0.427 0.313 0.297 0.394 10!< 0.863 0.345 10^ lOjf 0;57& 10* 10^ lOjt 0.691 lOjl 0.665 10j( 0.,591 1.367 10i4 0.109 0.108 55t 0.368 0.753 10« 5.689 3.529 5ji 10^ ^ 5^ lOjt 10^ 5.650 10^ G., 6. B. G., 6. B. GHonp IX. — Metals and mettd manufactures. Antimony, ingot and slab- ad val.- Barandrod 100 kins.. Plate and sheet do — Pipes and tubes ad val.. Screws do — Brass, old, only fit for remanufacturing 100 kins. . .Ingot and slab ad val. . Bar and rod 100 kins.. Plate and saeet - do — Nails do.... Pipesand tubes ad val. . Wire 100 kins. . Copper and niekel coins ad' val. . Copper, old, only fit for remanutactuidng 100 kinS'. - German silver: Plate, sheet, and rod do — Wire dO' Iron and mild steel: Pig and ingot do — Kentledge ■■ ad val.. Bar amd rod exceeding one-fourth ineh in any i^diameter 100 kins. . Hoops and band do — T, angle, and other similar manufactures do — Bails do.... Bolts,'' nuts,' chairs, dog spikes, and fish plates for rails ad val. . Plate and sheet 100 kins.. Plate and sheet, corrugated ad val.. Sheet, galvanized, corrugated, or oth«r'wiae 106 kins. Plate, diagonal or checkered do. . . Pipes and tubes ad- val. NailSi galvanized or otherwise, not otherwise provided for do. . . NailSi also wire nails," including spikeS) sprigs, tacks, and brads: a. Plain 100 kins. 6. Galvanized ad val. Screws, bolts, and nuts, plain and galvanised do. . . Screws, bolts, and nuts not otherwise provided for do . . . Tinned plates or sheets: a. Plain 100 kins.. 6, Crystallized ad val.. Wire and small rod not exceeding one-fourth inch in diameter 100 kins. . Wire and small' rod not exceeding one-fourth inch in diameter, tinned ad val. . Wire, telegraph or galvanized 100 kins. . Wire rope, galvanized do. . . Wire rope, otherwise ad val. Wire rope, galvanized or otherwise, old 100 kins-. Old hoop iron, only fit for remanufacturing do. . . Old wire and all other old iron or mild, S'teel, only fit for remanufacturing.., , ad val. Lead: Pig, ingot, and slab 100 kins; Sheet do.. Pipes and tubes ad val Mercury or quicksilver 100 kins Nickel do.- Platinum: Ingot ad val Bar, rod, plate, sheet, and wire do. . Solders of all kinds do.. Steel, other than mild steel: Pig," ingot, and slab" .' ?°" Bar, rod, plate, and sheet do.. Pipes and tubes oo. . • According to the conventional tariff with France. , ' According to the conventional tariff ' Included in the conventional tariffs with Great Britain and Germany under No. 225. 6.083 0.261 0.129 0.296 0.740 10)« 0.573 10j« 10}( 0.691 lOjt 0.503 0.256 0.316 5.048 7g 10)< G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. G.,G.B. G.,G.B. G.,G.B. 6.,G.B. G.,G.B. G.,G.B. G.,G.B. G.,G.B. G.,G.B. G.,G.B. G.,G.B.' G.,G.B. G.B. F.,G.,G.B. G.,G.B. G. with Germany. 1901.] COMMERCIAL JAPAJJT. 2311 The Customs latPOET Taeifk of Japan in Foece on and afteb the Fiest Day of the Fiest Month of the TniETr-SECOND Yeah OF Meiji (Jauhary 1, 1899) — Continued. CLASS I.— ARTICLES SUBJECT TO DUTY— Continued. Taiiffl No. ARTICLES. General tariff. Conven- tional tariff. Contracting States. 243 244 245 246a 2466 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256a 2566 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 .264(2 2646 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275a 2756 276 277 278 279a 2796 280a 2806 281 282 283a 2836 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 Geotjp IX.- Steel, other than mild steel — Continued. Smls. -Metals and metal manufactures — Continued. Sheets galvanized^ both plain and corrugated Tinned plates ". Wire, and small rod not exceeding one-fourth inch in diameter Wire, paragon (for umbrella ribs) Wire rope, galvanized or otherwise Old wire rope, only iit for remanufactnring , Old files and all other old steel, only fit lor remanufacturing Tin: ■ Block, ingot, and slab Plate and sheet White metal, Babbitt's Yellow metal and muntz metal: Plate and sheet Bar and rod Nails Pipes and tubes Yellow metal, and muntz metal, old, only fit for remanufaeturing. Zine: Block, ingot and slab Sheet, excluding zinc sheet No. 2 . ..ad val. do... do... .100 kins. do... do... do... ...ad val. .100 kins. ...ad val. do... Sheet, old All other old zinc, only fit for remanufaeturing Nails, screws, bolts, and nuts of metals not otherwise provided for Anchors and chain cables, new and old Bag frames Capsules for bottles Chains, iron, not otherivlse provided for Door locks, knobs, bolts, hinges, etc Foils and powder of gold, silver, or other metals Bronze powder Gold and silver ware, not otherwise provided for Gold and silver plated ware, not otherwise provided for Grates, fenders, stoves, and fittings thereof Safes and cash boxes Umbrella ribs and fittings thereof Wire^ telegraph, all other than of iron and mild steel All other metals, not otherwise provided for All other manufactures of metal or metals, not otherwise provided for Kitchen utensils &r vessels made of enameled iron and steel, decoraied or oihertmee. .100 kins. do... ...ad val. do... ...ad val. ..100 kins. ...ad val. 100 kins. do... ...ad val. do... do... do... do... do... do... do... .100 kins. ...ad val. do... do... do... do... do... do... do... do... Group X. — Oils a7id waxes. Candles of all kinds Gasolene Oil, bean Oil, castor, in tin, cask, or jar Oil, castor, excepting in tin, cask, or jar Oil, cocoanut v Oil, groundnut or peanut Oil, kerosene or petroleum: a. In tin b. In bulk Oil, linseed, in tin or cask Oil, linseed,' excepting in tin or cask Oil, olive, in tin or cask Oil, olive, excepitimg in tin or cask Oil, palm Oil, paraffin Oil or spirit of turpentine, in tin or cask Oil or spirit of turpentine, excepting in tin or cask . Wax, Criinese white or insect '. Wax, paraffin (abolished) All other oils and waxes .100 kins. ...ad val. .100 kins. do... ...ad val. .100 kins. do... ...gallon. do... .100 kins. ...ad val- .100 kins. ...ad val. do... do... ...gallon. ...ad val. ....do... . 100 kins. ...ad val. GEOtrp XI. — Paper and stationeries. Albums, photographic and postage stamp Books, blank and printed blank, and printed blank forms . Ink, printing, copying, writing, and lithographic Paper, Chinese, of allkinds Paper, hanging . Paper, printing: . , a. Wot exceeding U pounds per ream of SOS siteets and measuring 1,086 square inches per sheet . b'. AU oilier kinds of printing pape)- Paper, all other kinds Pencils: a. In gold or platinum case 6. All other' Pen nibs: .ad val. ...do... ...do... ...do... ...do... .100 kins. do... -- ad val. .do. .do. Gold. 6. Another Sealing wax Strawboard All other stationeries. .do... .do... .do... .do... .do... Geoup XII.— Sii!7a''. Sugar, up to No. 14, inclusive, Dutch standard in color a From No. 15 to No. 20, inclusive, Dutch standard in color 6.' Upward of No. 20, Dutch standard in color Sugar, rock candy Molasses Sirup "Included in the general tariff under No. 271. .100 kins. ...do... ...do... ...do... ...do... .ad val. Yen. 20^ 20^ 20i< L819 2.145 1.647 0.117 5s« 1.992 10^ 5^ 2.871 2.586 10* 10^ 14 0.451 10^ 0.297 5)< 10^ 10^ 15i« 15)« losi 15!« 11. 269 %^ 255« 20< 20fJ 15<< »20« 20^ ''205( 3.522 10* 0.747 1.060 105« 1.181 1.122 0.016 0.010 1.724 10i< 2.929 lO^i 105« 10^ 0.076 IO5S .088 10)S 25* 15^ 155! 15f. 1.757 1.757 15^ 15^ 30^ 15^ 15i« 15^ ISjj 0.204 L523 1.828 2.213 0.157 10^ Yen. 10^ 10^ 1.819 1.992 lOji 0.400 0.830 G. G. G. G., G. B. G.B. G.B. G.,G.B. G.,G.B. hi 10^ 2.146 lOji 0.544 G.B. G., G. B. 0.800 1.163 lOji G. G., G. B, G. 0.748 0.827 G., G. B. G., G. B. i> See No. 450. 2312 COMMEECIAL JAPAifT. [December, The Customs Import Tariff of Japan in Force on and after the First Day of the First Month of the Thiety-sbcond Yeab OF Meiji (January 1, 1899) — Continued. CLASS I.— AETICLES SUBJECT TO DUTY— Continued. Tariff No. AUTICLES. General tariff. Conven- tional tariff. Yen. Yen. 6.066 4.180 15j( 155( 15j( '10% 15i to. 016 0.029 0.016 0.080 0.053 0.020 0.012 0.029 0.017 0.062 0.041 15)« »10;4 0.010 0.006 0.015 0.010 0.017 0.011 0.020 0.013 15^ "10!^ 0.01.5 0.009 0.018 0.012 0.009 0.006 ISjJ W]i 12.308 9.169 12.308 8.000 12.308 9.169 0.113 0.075 15^ = 10^ 0.058 0.031 15^ «10^ 16)« »10^ 16^ «10^ 0.068 0.044 0.062 0.030 0.053 0.029 0.061 0.036 0.033 0.015 0.035 0.021 15i( to. 021 0.09? 10^ 0.056 15i< 10^ 15?( 010^ 0.141 0.093 0.071 0.039 15^ «10^ 16,( 15^ m 15!« 55.130 23.846 15!< 16* 20)< 20j(- 20^ 420^ 10!« 0.270 20j( 20^ 10^ 26j( 20j< 8.159 6.527 15!i 0.071 0.047 15^ «1Q^ I55S »105( '15^ 10^ 15iS 13.984 7.458 13.984 7.458 15* 0.277 0.067 0.047 0.265 20)8 0.027 Contracting States. . 304 805 306 307 308c 3086 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 829 331 332 333 334 33.5n 3356 386 341 n 8416 341c 342 343 344 845 846 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 357 358a 3586 859 360 861 862 863 364 Geoup xm.— Tissues, yarns, threads, and raw materials used tlierejor. Part I. Cotton yarns (plain or dyed) 100 kins. Cotton threads ad val. Bookbinders' cloth r do... Cotton damasks do. . . Cotton drills, other tlian gray or iileached do. . . Cotton drills, gray or bleached square vard. Cotton duck do . . . Cotton prints do . . . Cotton sateens, plain, figured, or printed, cotton brocades, cotton Italians, and figured shirtings square yard . Cotton Telvet or velveteens do. . . Ginghams ad val. Shirtings, gray square yard. Shirtings, white and bleached 1 do. . . Shirtings, twilled do. . . Shirtings, dyed do... Taffachelass : ad val. T-cloth square yard . Turkey -red cambrics do. . . Victoria lawns do. . . All Other sorts of pure cotton tissues and all tissues of cotton mixed with flax, liemp, or otlier fiber, including wool, tlie cotton, however, predominating in weight, not specially provided for ad val. Part II. Woolen and worsted or combed yarns, plain or dyed 100 kins. a. For weaving purposes ■. do. . . b. For other purposes do. . . Alpacas square yard. Balzarine ad val . , Buntings. .-■: square yard. . Camlets, lastings, and crape lastings ad val. . Camlet cords do China figures do Flannels: a. Of wool square yard . . 6. Of wool and cotton _ do Italian cloth, including, also, Italian clotJi in which cotton p^'cdominates in weight do Long-ells do Mousseline de laine, wholly of wool: a. Gray and white do 6. Dyed and printed do c All other kinds ad val . , Orleans and Insters do Serges, where the warp is worsted and the weft woolen square yard. . Serges of all other kinds ad val. . Spanish stripes do Woolen and worsted cloths: a. Wholly of woolen or worsted yarn, or of woolen and worsted j^arn such as broad, narrow, and army dotb, cas- simeres, tweeds, and worsted coatings square yard. . 5. In part of T,-oolen or worsted yarn, and in part of cotton yarn such as pilot, president, and union cloth do Woolen and worsted damasks ad val. . Woolen felt •. do All other sorts, pure or mixed with other materials, the wool, however, predominating in weight do Part III. Silk thrown, tama or dupioni, skin, waste, and wild cocoons silk ad val. Silk, raw 100 kins. Silk, tus.sah do.. Silk, floss ad val. Silk, spun, for weaving purposes, and silk yarns mixed with other fibers do... Silk, threads, not otherwise provided for ". '. do. . . ,Sil k, crape, Chinese do. . . Si Ik, pongee, Chinese (Kenchu) do. Satin in silk. -do... Silk satins, Chinese square yard . Silk satins, figured Chinese ad val. Silk, faced cotton satins or satin in silk and cotton mixed do. . . Silk, tissues, and silk and cotton tissues, embroidered do . . . All other silk tissues pure or mixed with other materials, the silk, however, predominating in weight do... Paet IV. Flax or linen yams, plain or dyed 100 kins. Flax or linen threads. ad val. Flax or linen canvas square yard. Linen, gray, bleached, dyed, or printed ad val. Linen, damasks do . . . All oilier sorts of linen tissues do. . . .ill other linen tissues mixed with other materials, the flax, however, predominating in weight ad val. Part V. Blanketing and whipped blankets in plain weave: a. Of wool or worsted pure 100 kins. b. Of wool or worsted mixed with ot/ier materials, tlie wool, liowever, predominating in weight do. . . Blankets of all kinds, single or in piece ad val. Carpets and carpetings, Brussels square yard. Carpets and carpetings, felt do. . . Carpets and carpetings, jute or hemp do. . . Carpets and carpetings, patent tapestry do. . . All other carpets and carpeting ad val . Chikuf u square yard. G., G.B. F..G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,0.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B, F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. G.B. P.,G. G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F..G.,G.B. f.;g.,g.b. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,6.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. P.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. P. F.,G.,G.B. G.,G.B. G.,G.B. G.,G.B. G.,G.B. G.,G.B. F.,G.,G.B. F.,6.,G.B. "Included in the conventional tariff under No. 322, 1 Square yard. « Included in the conventional tariff under No. 340. 3 Included in the general tariff under No. 351 . •Included in the conventional tariff under No. 356. 'Included in the general tariff under No. 357. 1901.] COMMEEOIAL JAPA^. 2313 The Ot'STOMs Import Taeiff of Japan in Fokce on and after the First Day of the First Month of the Thirty-second Year OF Meiji (January 1, 1899) — Continued. CLASS I.— articles SUBJECT TO DUTY— Continued. Tariff No. ARTICLES. General tariflf. Conven- tional tariff. Contracting States. 8C5 3G6 367 3U8 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 877 S78 379 881 382 884 385 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 Group XIII. — Tissiies, yarns, th-cads, and raiv materials used therrfor — Continued. Paht V— Continued. Curtains: o. Of silk, wholly or in part .' ad val. b. All other do . . . Elastic boot webbing: a. 01 silk, in part do . . . 6. All other do . . . Elastic braids and cords do. . . Handkerchiefs: a'. Of cotton in single , do... a?. Of cotton in the piece square yard. 0/ cotton mh-edwith other materials, the cotton, however, predominating in weight in the piece ad val. aS. Of linen, or of linen and cotton, single or in pieces do... b. Of silk, or of lace .* do . - . Mosquito nets of all kinds do . . . Oil or leather cloths, for furniture, etc square yard . Oilcloths, and linoleum cloths for floor _ do... Table cJoth or covers: a. Of silk, wholly or in part ad val. b. All other do . . . Towe'ls of all kinds, single or in piece do... Traveling rugs, single or In piece: a. Of silk, in part do. . . 6. Another ., do... Twines of cotton, flax, hemp, jute, manila hemp, or china grass do... Yarns and threads of all kinds not otherwise provided for do. . . Yams, jute or hemp, fur weaving-purposes do. . . Yaims of all sorts, 7wt especially provided for .' do. . . All other tissues do . . . All other works of tissues: a. Of silk, wholly or in part do. . . 6. Another do... Group XTV.— Tobacco. Cigars ad val. Cigarettes do . . . SnufI do... Tobacco, cut do. . . Tobacco, leaf do. . . All other prepared tobacco do . . . Group XV. — Wines, liquors, and spirits. Beer, ale, porter, and stout: a. Bottles, not exceeding i litre each per dozen . b. Bottles, not exceeding 1 litre each do . . . c. In cask or barrel ad val . Brandy do. . . Champagne and other similar sparkling wines, exclusively the produce of the natural fermentation of grapes, in case: ■ a. Containing 24 bottles not exceeding i litre each per case. 6. Containing 12 bottles, exceeding i litre and not exceeding 1 litre each do — Chinese alcoholic liquors of all kinds: a. Distilled ad val. 6. Fermented .: do. . . Gin do... Liquors of all kinds 3°' ' ' Port wine « 5°' " " Rum do... Sake, resembling the home brewage 3° ■ ' " Sherrv« S°"' .... do. Vermouth ' .do. ^Whisky ............ Wine, stiii.of all" sorts, exclusively thejroduce of the natural fermentations of grapes: Not exceeding 16 degrees of pure alcohol— in vt »= o. In cask or barrel ^^ litres. b. In ease — 1. Containing 24 bottles, not exceeding i litre each .- per case. 2. Containing 12 bottles, exceeding i litre and not exceeding 1 litre each do.., Exceeding 16 degrees and not exceeding 24 degrees of pure alcohol— a. In cask or barrel..... lu litres. b In CfliSC " 'l. Containing 24 bottles, not exceeding J litre each per case. 2 Containing 12 bottles, exceeding i litre and not exceeding 1 htre each per case. Spirits or distilled liquors of all other kinds ^%1 Wines or fermented liquors of all other kinds ""• • Group XVI. — Miscellaneous. Aloeswood . .100 kins.. Amber: nrivnl a. Unworked ^°™- B. Worked ''°•■• "^cStl'e, horses, asses, mules, sheep, goats, and domestic fowls do... Horses - do All other animals .- j„"'" Asbestos, in sheet or board "'.!'.!do!'.! BeltingsVTira'tliMfcaOutcto^^^^ ^°-- li^ai^S^and'ottodiiii^^piosiveiii^^ • Included in the general and conventional tariffs under No. 322, ' sSbiea to Sif prl^lon r*tgSd"S^'alS.hollc strength, port wine and sherry are dutiable as still wines under No 397 Tn^rtue of th?co^entiStarWf with France, subject to the provision regarding alcoholic strength, vermouth is dutiabl Yen. Ym. 25^ 20j( 20)4 15^ 15^ \M 0.017 O.on F., G., G. B. •15^ lOji F., G., G. B. 15!< 25^ 20^ 0.043 0.071 25^ 20iS 16;« 2bi 15)( lOjf 1-5^ 16j( i>15!< 15)i 85« i G. ■m G., G. B. 100* 100)« lOOjt wk S5s« 100)4 0.388 0.515 5.425 1.5.50 F. 6. 425 1. 650 F. 100)« 80)< 4O54 40j< a In virtue of the ll;8 still wine, under No. 397, • 100 litres. 80i< ^^, 40)4 0.435 •1.242 2.660 0.760 F. 2.660 0.760 F. 2.774 '7.925 2. 380 0. 680 F. 2.380 0.680 F. 100^ 80)4 10i4 20)4 f4 0^ Free. IO54 5)4 10)4 30)4 15)4 e in the conventional scheduls 2314 COMMEEGIAL JAPAIS". [Dkcmmbbb, The Customs Impokt Tariff of Japan in Force ok and afteb the First Day op the First Month of the Thirty-second Ybab 01? Meiji (January 1, 1899) — Continued. class I.— articles subject to duty— Continued. Tariffi No. ARTICLES. General tariff. Conven- tional tariff. Contractlnjf States. 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 a 423 5 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 436 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443 444 445 a 4456 446 447 448 449 450 451 452 453 454 455 4.56 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 a 4646 464 c 465 466 467 468 469 470 a 4706 471 472 473 474 47§ Group XVI.— Iff'sceflancous— Continued. Bricks and tiles for building purposes ad val. Brushes and brooms of all kinds do . . . Canes, stigks, and whips do. . . Caoutchouc and gutta-percha; a. Crude ^ do. . . 6. Sheet do. . . c. Manufactures of, not otherwise provided for do. . . Ma n vfactures of caoukhoue do . . . Carriages, bicycles, tricycles, and parts thereof do . . . Cars or carriages, railway passengers' , and parts thereof do. . . Cars and wagons, railway freight, and parts thereof do. . . Cars and carriages, tramway, and parts thereof do... Cars and drays for conveyance of commodities do... Celluloid: a. In sheet or rod kin. 6. Worked ad val. Cement, Portland 100 kins. Chalk and whiting ad val. Chareoal, wood and animal do Clay of all kinds do Ooal briquettes, or patent fuel coal .' do Coal per ton. . Coke do Corafe, worked or otherwise ad val . , Cordage and ropes of flax, hemp, jute, Manila hemp or China grass, for rigging or otherwise 100 kins. , Cork bark ad val. . Corks do Diamonds, glaziers' do Dynamite kin. . Emery sands ad val. . Emery cloths and sandpaper do Emery wheels, and grindstones of all kinds do Felt, for ship's bottom, orfor roofing do Fireworks ot all kinds do. . .' . Fishing guts (Tegusu) 100 kins. . Flints ad val. . Flowers and blossoms, artificial , do.... Frames for pictures, and moulding do Funori ( Gleopetiis iiUricaia) 100 kijis. . Furnitures, new and old, not otherwise provided for ad val.. Fwrnitures of bent tsood of all kinds do Games, all articles of , used in playing tennis, cricket, chess, etc., not otherwise provided for do Glue,, common 100 kins. . Gun cotton ad val . . GnnpiowderrSmokeless do Gunpowder of all kinds, excluding the smokeless powder 100 kins. . Gypsum do.. Hay ad val . . Ivory, manufactures of, not otherwise provided for do Jewelry do Jewelry, imitation of do Imitation iswulry: Small articles of luxury used for personal odomTnent made prindpaUy of common metals, stich as aluminium, aluminium bronze, nickel, German silver, argentine, copper, steel, zinc, lead, tin, iron, etc., or also of jet, hardened wood, beads, shells, horn, eelhiloid, bones, and other simitar common materials: 1' Gilt, silvered, treated with aquafortis, burnished, poUslied, varnished, tinned, enamelled, oxidized, or nickeled, garnished with *' vitrifieaiion," enamelled {cloisonne) or not, false pearls, corals, both genuine and false, iraitation precious .ad " stones . tval. 2» Garnished with motker-of-pearl, ivory, tortoise shell; gold and silver plated if the value of the garnitures or plating does not suwass the value of the principal composition .' ..ad val. . Note. — Jewelry most commonly used are rings, colliers, bracelets, ear pendants, medals, medallions, brooches, combs, orna- mental hairpins and hat pins, tie pins, breloques, buckles, hooks, snuffT^oxes, buttons {common buttons excepted'), coulants, purses, handles aim ferrules of sticks, umbrellas, and parasols, coins {sequins), pencil cases, and generatty all oilier small objects of adornment not mentioned herein. Labels for bottles, tins, etc .' ad vaJ. . Lamps and lanterns, and parts thereof do Lamps and accessories ancCparts thereof in metol or glass do Lard, tallow, and grease do Leather, manufactures of, not otherwise provided for do Malt 100 kins.. Matches of all kindis do Matting, China, in rolls of 40 yards per roll . . Matting, cocoa jsquarfi yard. . Mats aud matting, all other ad val.. Mica in sheet do — Oakum 100 kins.. Packing, for steam engine ad val. . Paintings, in oil or water colour, lithographs, chromolithographs, photographs, caUigraphical albums, and all other paintings, pictures, and calligraphy, not otherwise provided for ad val . . Pitch 100 kiiois.. Wood tar do. . . Coal tar •- ad val. , Plaster of paris 100 kins. . Playing cards of all kinds ad val. . Plumbago or black lead ..100 kiaDiS.. Pottery, including porcelain and earthernware, not otherwise provided fox .ad val . , Precious stones and pearls do. , - , Precious stones and pearls, imitation of do Precious stones and pearls made of glass dO' Pulp, for making paper 100 kins. Putty do... Rattans, split or otherwise So... Saddles, bridles, and harness ad val. Sandal wood 100 kins. Yen. •mi 20?! 10)( 20^ 20)« 25!ii 10^ 10j( 10^ 10)4 0.196' 205* 0.0S9 0.879 0.789 3« 1.951 H W30}« 15i^ 20^ 20^ 10* 20^ 0.544 2D^ 0.610 0.058 204 10)4 0.710 lOji 25!< 0.187 0.322 5!« 0.174 35ji 0.730' 20^ 35)( 0.297 0.234 0.393 25^ 1.434 Yen. lOsJ 54 0.065 G., G. B. G. G., G. B. 0.056 10^ ISji 105« IQjf 10s« ''IDji "Included in the general tariff under No. 441. ^ Included in the general tariff under No. 450. •Included in the conventional tariff with Austria-Hungary under No. 172. 1901.] COMMERCIAL JAPAN. 2315 The Customs Import Tariff of Japan in Foece on and aftek the First Day of the First Month of the Thirty-second Yeab OF Mbiji (January 1, 1899) — Continued. CLASS I.— ARTICLES SUBJECT TO DUTY— Continued. Tariff No. ARTICLES. General ■ tariff. Conven- tional tariff. Contracting States. 476 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 484 485 4Sf) 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 494 495 496 497 GKOtJP XVI. — Miscellaneous— Cominuai. Shoeblaeking of all kinds ad val. Smoker's articles (articles for use in smoking opium are excluded) do... Soap: o. Toilet do... 6. Common 100 kins. c. All others ad val . Soapstone, in lump or powdered 100 kins. Sparterie, for making hats ad val. Sponges : do . . . Stones and slates not otherwise provided for: a. Rough or unworked, for building purposes, etc .■ Jdo. . . b. "Worked, for ornamental works or furnitures, etc do... c. Statutes and other, sculptured or engraved do. . . Submarine telegraphic cables and under-ground telegraphic lines or cables do. . . Timber, santalum (Shitan) 100 kins. Timber, teak 100 cubic feet. Timber, lumber, boards, and planks of all kinds, not otherwise provided for ad val. Toilet or dressing cases do. . . Toilet or perfumed water, hairoU, dentifrices, and all other cosmetics and perfumery do... Ferfumery: a. Toilet soap (see Xo. 478). b. Liquid pei-Jwrnecy: Essences or extracts of scents, oils, vinegars, waters, and alcoholes of toilet or scent and other liquids of the same kind ad val. e. Dry perfumery: Salts, powder, cosmetics, pomades, pastes, and otfiernonliquid perfum^i'ies fortcHel{°) t..do... Tortoise shell, manufactmres of .■ do Toys of all kin^s do. . . Trunks, portmanteaux, and traveling or courier bags do. . . Umbrellas, parasols, and sunshades: a. Of silk, wholly or in part do. . - 6. All other do. . . Umbrella sticks and handles (i), except those made of gold or silver do. . . Vessels, steam or sailing, and boats do... Wares of santalum or ebony wood do . . . All articles, raw or unmanufactured, not herein enumerated do... All articles, manufactured wholly or in part, not herein enumerated do. . . Yen. 2% 20<« 1.085 10«« 0.089 10i< 5i4 205J 25^ lOii 0.175 7.628 5^ 25i< KSOjf iiSO)* 25!« 25iS 20^ 25;* 20^ 20* 10^ 205i Yen. « 0.070 0.972 »0.92 10^ «Kin. i" Included in the general tariff under No. 488. ° Natural and artificial musk, civet, and gray amber are excluded from perfumery schedule of the conventional tariff with France. * See No. 450. CLASS II.— ARTICLES EXEMPTED FROM DUTIES. 498. Advertisements and signboards. 499. Animal bone ashes. 600. Atlases, maps and charts, and other scientific diagrams. 501. Bank notes, coupons, scrip, and all other negotiable papers. 502. Books, printed, including copy books, drawing books, pamphlets, periodicals, journals, and newspapers. 503. Bullion, gold and silver. 504. Cocoons of all kinds. 505. Coins, gold and silver. 506. Cotton, old. 507. Cotton, raw, ginned. 508. Cotton, raw, in the seed. 509. Cotton, waste. ' " 510. Cotton, yarn, waste. 511. Flax, hemp, jute, Manila hemp, and China grass, hackled or otherwise. 512. Guano. ■ 613. Gimny bags, new and old. 514. Gunny cloth. 5141. Manure, artificial, and manures of all kinds not provided for in the tariff. 615. Mats, packing. 5151. Minerals, phosphatio. 516. Models and architectural and engineering plans. 517. Oil cake, in lump or powdered. , , , ^ . , „ 518. Opium for medicinal purposes, imported by the Imperial Government. 518>. Paraffin. 5182. Potash, chlorate of. 518'. Phosphorus, amorphous. 518*. Phosphorus, yellow. , . ,, .v t 519. Plants, trees, shrubs, and roots, shoots and bulbs thereof. ' 520. Rice and paddy. 521. Sardines (Iwashi) , dried. I 522. Tea-firing baskets and sieves. 1523. Tea-firing pans. !524. Tea lead. , , . , ij I 626 Wool, goat's hair and camels hair, new and old. I 6251. Zinc sheet No. 2. CLASS III.— PROHIBITED ARTICLES. Adulterated drugs, chemicals, medicines, food, and beverages, considered to be injurious by laws, ordinances, and regulations of the Empire. All articles for use' in smoking opium. i,t ^ ,^, . .» 4. „, . ._ t ■ , , » j ..v , All' articles which are considered dangerous to the public health for sanitary reasons or to the safety of animals or plants, under gie laws, ordinances, and regulations of the Empire. . , ^ , . ,^, r»^ ,,_ . Articles in violation of patent, design, trade-mark, or copyright laws of the Empire, osu False coins of any kind, and imitations of coins which might be considered to be false coins. 531' Opium (opium imported by the Imperial Government for medicinal purposes is excluded from this prohibition). 53'^ Pnnts printed books paintings, engravings, carvings, or any other articles, which in view of public security or morals might offer any danger. 526. 527. 529. 530. STATISTICAL STATEMENTS OF THE JAPANESE EMPIEE. ^°- 6—2* 2317 COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. Total Fokeign Comhekce of Japan, and Shake of the TJinTED States anb United Kingdom thebbin, duking the Calendar Yeaes 1881 TO 1900. [Compiled from official, reports of tlie Japanese Government.! IMPOBTS INTO JAPAN. EXPORTS PKOM JAPAN. ■SEARS. Total. Prom United States. From' United Kingdom. Total. To United States. To United Kingdom. Value. Per cent. Value. Per cent. Value. Per cent. Value. Per cent. 1881 Yen: 31,128,125 29; 4*1, 458 28i,43i;9S9 29^626; 781 29i35S,967 3211168,432 44,304-, 251 65,455,234 63,995,009 80;.55^.874 61,960,183 70, 07a, 410 87,597,095 116,284,050 127,260,844 169,882,595 218, «D, 623 274,599(260 219;22&,.647 286,170,933 Yen. 1,78J;.108 3, 106,'768 3,li87,114 2,4891969 2,751,320 3, 358,, 986 3, 309; 269 5,673,843 6, 173', 1'41 6,900,190 6,840,047 5,988,053 6,090,408 10, 982, 558 9,276,360 16,373,419 27, 030; 537 40, 001', 097 3S,,2IS;.894 62,.76J!,196 5.72 id; 55 11.21 8140 9137 10.44 7.47 8.36 9.65 8.56 11.04 8.54. 6.95- 9.44 7; 29' 9 64 12:38 14.57 17:48 21.96 Yen. 16,364,740 13,966,048 12,744,943 12,75&,8fl6 12,156-, 610 12,703,248 18,970,544 28,693,567 26, 067, 984 26,619,102 19,996,050 20,789,332 27,929,628 42,189,873 45,172,110 59,251,780 65,406,266 02, 707, 572 44,836,994 71,.638,220 52.57 47. 40 44.83- 48; 07 42:43 39.49 42.82' 43:81 40: 73- 33.04 32.27 29 67 31.88 36.29 35,49 34.88 29 94 22.84 20.45. 25.03 Yen. 30,282,563 37, 240, 914 35,706,356 33, 061, 902 35,792,752 47,346,893 50,551,623 62,680,613 68, 423, 131 54,891,597 77,916,626 89,339,134 88,140,793 111,297,689 133,516,985 114,615,783 159388,425 102, 796, 651 211,495,335 198,063,547 Yen. 11,056,464 14,263,291 13,247,840 13,180,923 10,639 005 19,992,429 22,243,441 23,475,806 26,109,835 20,844,252 29, 795, 7.54 38,674,971 27,739,458 43,363,557 54i028,950 31,532,341- 52,486,404 47., 311, 164. 63,919,270 52,566,395 ' 38. 51 38.27 37. 10 39 72 48.69 42. 23 44.00 37.45 38.16 37.97 38.24 43:29 31.47 38.96 40,46. 27.55. 32.90 29. 06 1 30.22 . 26.53 Yen. 3,514,476 4,981,546 4,882,007 3,830,68* 2,453,167 4,.195,355 3,478,729 8,710,012 7,664,599 5,638,980 5,833,136 3, 921,-752. 4,995,974 5,950,197 7,883,091 9,012,398 8-, 481, 195 7,783,643 11,270,770 11,262,997 11 61 1882 _. 13.37 1888 13. 81 ]884 11.50 1885 1886 ]i887 6.85 8.86 6. 88- 1888 13.89' 1889 1898 i 11.20- 10. 27 1891 7.23 1892 - 1893 1894 _ 3895 .- .- 1896 -.. 1^97 4.39 5.67 5:35 5.90- 7.86- 5.32 1898 - .- 1899 _ 1900 - 4.78 5. 33 5.69 Note.— Prior to 1891 Canada -was included in Japanese exports to and Imports from United States. Imports and exports by Japanese Government are not included in this table. Value of yen on January 1, 1885, in United States money, 85.8 cents; 1890, 75.2 cents; 1891, 83.1 cents; 1892,74.5 cents; 1893, 66.1 cents; 1894, 55.6 cents; 1895, 49.1 cents; 1896, 52.9 cents; 1897, 51.1 cents; 1898 and 1899, 49.8 cents. Total Fokeign Commerce of Japan and the Share Conducted by Foreign and Japanese Merchants, Respectively, during Calendar Years from 1883 to 1900. [Compiled from official reports of the Japanese Government.] IMPORTS INTO JAPAN. EXPORTS FROM JAPAN. YEAES. By Japa- nese. Per cent. By foreign- ers. Per cent. Total imports. By Japa- nese. Per cent. By foreign- ers. Per cent. Total exports. 1883 Yen. 1,383,101 2,282,913 3,602,720 3, 834, 632 6,938,548 11,634,987 9,645,761 19,521,764 14,276,380 13,812,662 16,693,902 33,947,596 38,829,338 51,211,805 79,560,939 1,472,259 89,351,617 112,737,050 4.8 7.7 12.3 12.0 15.6 17.8 15.2 24.2 23.0 19 7 19.0 29 2 30.5 32! 6 40.76 39 39 Yen. 27,048,838 27,343,868 25,754,247 28,333,799 37,365,703 53,820,246 54,349,247 61,033,109 47,692,803 56,263,748 70,903,193 82,336,454 88,431,505 118,670,789 138,879,684 184,127,001 129,877,030 173,433,883 95.2 92.3 87.7 88.0 84.4 '82.2 84.8 75.8 77.0 80.3 81.0 70.8 69 5 70.0 63.6 67.4 59 24 60.61 Yen. 28,431,939 29, 626, 781 29,356,967 32,168,432 44,304,251 65,455,234 63,995,009 80,554,874 61,969,183 70,076,410 87,697,095 116, 284, 050 127,260,844 169, 882, 595 218,440,623 274,599,260 219,228,647 286,170.933 Yen. 5,149,078 5,125,459 3,394,423 5,718,200 6,555,436 7,081,324 6,781,587 6,123,964 8,770,764 11,395,210 13,654,984 20,450,979 26,328,816 29,565,478 44,374,130 55,060,559 75,248,951 73,381,634 14.4 15.5 95 12.7 12.9 11.1 9 9 11.1 11.3 13.0 15.5 18,4 19 9 ■25.8 27.8 33.7 35.58 37.05 Yen. 30,557,278 27,936,443 32,398,329 41,633,692 43,996,086 56,699,289 61,641,643 48,767,635 69144,861 77,943,923 74,485,809 90,846,710 107,188,169 85,050,296 115,014,294 107,736,092 136,246,383 124,681,912 85.6 84.5 90.5 87.3 87.1 88.9 90.1 88.9 88.7 87.0 84.5 81.6 80.1 74.2 72.2 66.3 64.42 -62.95 Yen. ■ 35,706,356 1884 33,061,902 1885 35,792,752 1886 47,346,893 50,551,523 63,680,613 1889 68,423,131 1890 54,891,697 1891 77,915,626 89,339,134 88,140,793 111,297,689 1895 133, 616, 985 1896 114,615,783 1897 159,388,425 162,796,651 211,495,335 198,063,547 Tmnn^c nnd PTTiorts bv Jaoanese Government are not included in this table. vTff-> of yen on Janua^^^ States money, 85.8 cents; 1890, 75.2 cents; 1891, 83.1 cents; 1892. 74.5 cents; 1893, 66.1 cents; 1894, 55.6 cents; 1895, 49.: cents; 1896, 52.9 cents; 1897, 51.1 cents; 1898 and 1899, 49.8 cents. 2319 2320 COMMEEOIAL JAPAN. [Decbmbeb, Pkincipal Domestic Expohts from the United States to Japan during Years ending June 30, 1892 to 1900, by Articles and Values. ARTICLES. 1892 1898 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 Raw cotton Leaf tobacco Illuminating oil Iron and steel manufactures, not separately specified Flour Machinery, not separately specified Locomotive engines Cigarettes Distilled spirits Paper, and manufactures of Instruments for scientific purposes Sole leather , Clocks and watches Paraffin wax , Lubricating oil : , Chemicals, drugs, and dyes Condensed milt , Tobacco, not elsewhere specified India-rubber manufactures Beef, salted or pickled Beef, canned Firearms Books, maps, engravings, etc Leather, not elsewhere specified Cotton cloths , Wood manufactures, not separately specified Builders' hardware Ink, printers' and other Wine Breadstuffs, other than flour Fruits, canned Butter Cotton manufactures, other than cloths. . . . Rosin Household furniture Bacon and hams Lumber, other than boards and planks Malt liquors Bones, noofs, horns, etc Agricultural implements Vegetables Paints and colors Copper, manufactures of Leather manufactures, not elsewhere speci- fied ■- Meat products, not separately stated Turpentine, spirits of Soap, other than toilet Gunpowder and other explosives Boards, deals, and planks Cheese Jewelry, etc Sewing machines DoUara. 132,729 DoUars. 68,423 1,798,792 83,916 179,246 57,100 42,600 114,148 55, 662 1,371 6,398 139,384 134,317 976 13,622 29,812 43,723 46,373 22, 774 986 26,388 41,048 15, 126 5,439 10,330 1,978 20, 763 31, 916 17,395 10, 912 14,810 10,208 22,915 4,608 14, 773 4,206 16, 700 1,812 15, 702 2,445 1,205 1,166 2,376 5,126 18,811 1,687 4,432 9,977 9,461 1,760 517 1,052 1,710,480 40,552 193,945 104, 594 179,118 4,639 4,745 32, 587 147,071 114, 694 77, 824 14, 492 20,514 8,866 63,644 27, 984 1,934 12,706 30, 145 16,790 4,422 9,084 697 10, 832 12, 229 16,478 9,970 11,813 11,402 43,418 5,201 30,351 18, 393 419 5,104 18, 055 1,145 1,320 1,731 2,368 2,073 10,518 200 1,949 3,272 4,569 1,355 2,890 2,499 Dollars. 360,492 820 2,209,070 35,426 211,679 32,758 116,578 137,895 4,280 2,569 34, 600 115,028 44,452 73,315 17,177 24,697 40,347 33,009 12, 699 4,961 28,057 8,707 30,367 10, 614 42, 764 440 13,401 8,643 14,828 19,486 10,519 11,534 7,707 13, 999 28, 799 2,931 803 5,919 19,987 1,529 1,345 2,661 2,900 4,517 7,871 1,355 3,263 3,004 1,297 1,884 1,454 1,265 Dollars. 806,068 7,340 1,591,761 95,731 246, 122 109, 332 157,434 75,206 2,469 5,006 24,861 371, 479 85,654 63,858 64,691 31,672 34,446 22, 469 ' 19,441 34,002 302, 649 6,012 14,177 2,792 92,590 3,719 22, 491 15, 020 9,277 25,348 16, 853 14, 007 18, 652 5,872 16, 927 4,112 439 4,217 31, 377 429 6,892 6,542 3,598 4,060 2,270 2,883 2,192 19 4,569 1,653 2,621 3,466 DoUars. 1,481,056 12, 948 8,060,797 367,217 286, 111 286,816 173, 160 202,774 7,221 10, 126 93,243 474, 692 99, 742 127, 001 88, 730 29, 037 46,395 57,724 37,833 2,616 38, 376 21,476 18, 616 19, 857 92, 830 4,627 49,847 39, 166 26,012 14, 829 11, 702 18,103 12, 639 7,934 20,094 4,485 4,613 13,080 34,202 1,323 2,913 4,033 10, 676 8,481 1,584 4,410 4,228 7,457 29,386 3,603 9,729 9,685 DoUars. 2,346,016 65,124 4,029,459 1,609,173 819,620 951,653 920,130 349,603 27,146 6,952 148, 271 213,853 177,607 • 171,476 192,918 46,946 58,766 58,074 42,006 9,457 60, 013 32, 372 23, 689 7,026 141,264 5,326 44,914 16,493 17, 636 80, 993 10,345 15,664 35,344 19, 200 27, 845 4,199 12, 955 16, 730 24, 646 7,276 1,893 14,092 19,170 2,226 8,651 3,288 14, 568 172,688 4,433 6,678 7,275 DoUars. 7,435,526 197,036 3, 592, 687 1,288,644 644, 039 701,4,58 1,283,865 400, 642 326,844 491, 256 230, 197 327,831 163,438 168, 305 222,636 39,971 76,106 73,694 68,440 50, 242 33,452 33,433 27, 008 32,129 47,284 6,630 76, 500 26,040 17, 252 58,204 14, 485 23, 097 16, 003 16, 764 27,424 10, 688 6,625 6,507 12, 307 3,401 11,473 14, 583 8,469 18,072 8,564 4,088 6,430 12,886 62,237 3,867 8,982 6,883 DoUars. 5,775,784 ,2,414,482 2,341,922 1,405,715 722, 710 569, 691 529, 614 446,263 414,404 3-50, 118 232, 892 165, 603 133, 307 132, 273 119,653 80, 498 76,701 67, 955 57, 579 42,893 40, 750 38, 306 36, 163 34, 383 33, 828 30,677 26,498 26, 337 24,327 21, 862 19,277 18, 592 18,019 17, 663 16, 562 15,607 15, 059 14,629 12,307 10,461 10,360 10,219 9,718 9,625 8,646 8,476 6,890 6,592 6,312 5,966 5,672 5,270 DoUars. 12,712,619 322,862 6,149,082 4,260,309 1, 564, 739 846, 537 202, 981 95, 9;-(8 91,fS0 251,912 313, 070 442,109 201, 810 224,469 269, 343 131,871 99, 433 11,214 83,.0(:0 8,357 19,897 32, 361 48,089 53,731 34,529 28, 013 106,251 34,989 28,906 189,101 25,595 21, 0.55 28,989 11, 780 18, 799 13,591 8,991 22,283 8,352 20, 790 7,181 13, 333 27,421 18,754 20,506- 16,263 11, 971 25,016 62,403 6,052 19,640 11,706 DoUars. 4,086,317 223, 240 4, 784, 350 2, 600, 141 085, 893 481,916 372, 162 9,009 33, 470 206,686 376, 068 224,371 237, 331 167, 118 197, 342 119,875 118,311 1,641 97,580 72, 326 140, 648- 42,512 43,983 47, 576 37. 891 61. 892 121,697 33, 975 27,425 73, 342 30,311 19,359 31,060 17,187 21,107 20,358 5,354 32, 367 19,044 42, 399 24,132 19,774 35, 868- 13, 604 20,189 13,181 9,545 21,863 64,652 8,494 2,146 SO, 979 1901.] COMMERCIAL JAPAIJT. 2321 Peincipal Imports into Japan during the Calendar Years prom 1892 to 1900, in Order of Magnitude ov Value in 1898, by Articles and Values. [Compiled from ofBcial reports of the Japanese Government.] ARTICLES. 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 Rico Cotton, raw, ginned Sugar Cotton yarns Vessels, steam Kerosene oil Beans, pease, and pulse Tobacco, leaf and out : Oil cake, for fertilizing Shirtings, gray Mousseline de laiue, plain and white Locomotive engines Bar and rod iron Wutclios, and parts thereof Woolen clotiis, all wool Cotton-spinning machinery Alcoliol Rails for railways Material lor railways, other than rails Printing paper Indigo, dry Flour Cigarettes Satins of cotton Wool, raw Flannels Plate and sheet iron Pig iron Iron pipe Aniline dyes Cotton prints Nails Italian cloth liBather, other than sole Iron wheels, axles, and springs Steel bars Cotton velvets Wool yarn Sole leather Shirtings, white Steam boilers and engines Window glass Chlorate of potash Fish, salted Electric-light apparatus Plush-or velvet, silk and cotton mixtures. Flax, hemp, jute, etc Hides, buffalo and cow Zinc, sheet Dynamite Cars, railway, passenger Wire Blankets Galvanized sheet iron (other than roofing) , Woolen cloths (in pMt of wool) Turkey-red cambrics Caustic soda Tin plate Telegraph wire Celluloid Lubricating oil Coai Phosphorus Roofing and galvanized iron Yen. 2,052,900 11, 026, 637 9,519,612 7,131,947 431,875 3, 32S, 398 2,712,044 80,200 824,651 1,727,185 2, 448, 899 200, 418 871,701 485, 593 610, 417 (') 392, 540 67,437 61, 865 217, 309 386,193 278,736 170, 628 523, 450 302, 501 1,073,742 240,583 241, 316 55,814 418,481 436, 544 906, 422 1,062,571 563, 263 578, 374 427,992 219, 429 830,558 180, 547 160, 563 309, 960 12,064 147, 109 213,216 390, 152 225, 018 35,284 95, 840 224, 932 70,444 528, 973 80, 156 196, 618 378, 335 173, 009 52,024 89, 294 II 105,379 86,085 (•) Yea. 3,254,842 15, 294, 897 11,452,025 7, 284, 242 865,428 4,401,010 3,446,636 150,267 599, 893 2, 3X5, 024 2,305,505 356, 533 975,786 523, 126 801,407 379, 476 667, 108 147, 641 217,694 444,208 322, 641 254, 639 842,452 425, 120 1, 389, 714 330, 097 446,477 122, 885 405, 047 635, 902 887, 790 1,489,304 436, 932 513, 930 215, 702 168,304 157, 958 359, 314 742, 316 44, 202 138, 639 326, 337 412,667 339, 027 84, 561 152, 856 268,744 108, 055 811, 022 121, 010 318, 798 363,587 192, 426 56,267 121,986 I'] 81,707 166,636 (*) Yen. 8, 413, 148 19,103,922 13,241,586 7,977,365 8,202,549 5, 135, 332 2,977,794 68,567 822, 195 2,935,033 3,150,822 1, 580, 272 1, 339, 033 404, 646 641,270 (■) 174,185 1,209,205 881, 805 257,857 329,"861 641, 929 232, 343 1,254,804 567, 197 308,833 726,738 743,552 484,086 543,494 621, 697 1,332,637 1,759,795 598,810 700,150 563,501 281, 782 337,607 215,155 246, 032 840,640 63, 197 226, 193 537,924 394,892 426,253 137,506 155,100 93,985 56,118 572, 808 156,740 175,559 225,285 205,466 352,673 142,214 472,757 178,231 (•) Yen. 4,357,096 24,304,814 11, 720, 106 7, 082, 975 4,700,554 4, 303, 928 2,554,763 99,756 946, 000 3, 071, 495 3,633,467 1,663,694 2,085,684 971,938 2, 951, 041 1, 896, 195 440,904 925, 531 1,253,343 307, 699 581,309 406, 854 803, 871 784, 302 1,136,951 961, 000 918, 468 673,795 604, 753 682,137 383, 364 1,278,066 921,741 1,092,821 486, 097 951, 035 497, 774 505,719 431,925 309,801 419, 063 107, 134 311, 016 32,707 646,840 696,984 50O, 862 231,489 643, 216 218, 458 95, 206 1,569,425 112,724 169,265 418,790 234,000 313,644 205,714 -j3,079 260,822 (•) Yen. 5,632,336 32,106,275 13,711,738 11,372,001 1,724,496 6,331,056 3,475,015 148, 628 3, 220, 600 4,057,763 6, 498, 162 1,620,767 2, 359, 704 1,977,671 3,4u7,150 2, 992, 300 481, 464 2,596,458 1, 302, 374 723,437 1,067,367 • 994, 201 574, 234 2, 568, 450 998, 306 1, 997, 244 1,336,886 739, 565 891,339 1,139,929 1, 193, 162 1, 440, 253 2,813,096 1,141,866 325, 706 717,292 1,001,352 1,114,872 576, 684 655,448 822,694 570,442 429,042 231,035 659,711 149,128 708,161 539,675 453, 709 154,274 363,161 567,590 300,388 1,932,482 310,190 706, 902 395,088 84,263 260,962 506,490 134,552 210,113 519,380 174,897 218,487 Yen. 21,628,428 43,122,262 19, 799, 091 9, 625, 258 8, 232, 648 7,667,350 5, 889, 616 425,112 3,315,587 3,783,808 4,408,753 4,235,616 3,046,131 1, 901, 813 1,943,531 5,401,701 969, 360 3, 325, 004 2, Oil, 465 856', 957 1,538,021 1, 156, 569 997,237 1,790,082 1,057,482 1, 187, 656 1,175,266 934,010 894, 681 931, 197 986,443 1,458,294 1,858,681 922,661 630,407 414, 408 677, 060 1,337,424 462, 524 250,863 1,317,260 488,090 497,650 496, 907 591, 776 338,336 654, 791 346,394 734,571 325,265 905,743 463, 898 337,169 608, 928 641,193 290,543 494,592 229, 593 659,909 477,775 174,554 834,134 678,570 280,636 292,525 Yen. 48,219,810 45,410,467 28, 389, 037 8, 617, 588 7,488,194 7, 452, 880 7,101,103 4, 700, 466 4, 614, 967 4,382,509 4,37:1,988 4,265,854 4, 061 , 805 3, 066. 331 2, 803, 607 3, 088, 762 2, 699, 982 2,631,721 2, 514, 232 2, 283, 215 2,270,815 2, 022, 413 1, 720, 827 1, 645, 229 1, 642, 819 1,425,650 1,406,855 1,381,482 1, 332, 940 1,218,842 1,176,789 1,150,343 1,068,270 1,050,211 938, 847 838, 618 813, 280 785, 192 716, 879 708,348 697, 173 669,807 632,060 609, 736 605, 901 699,495 690, 617 587,949 556,443 507, 591 1,100,824 493, 242 492, 553 519,685 464, 466 444,144 433,894 422,714 411, 422 408, 842 '406, 678 401,344 399,189 386, 304 382,958 Yen. 5, 960, 166 61, 365, 756 17, 516, 039 4,963,326 3,620,982 7, 918, 149 8, 822, 111 '5,086,354 6, 791, 813 3, 675, 191 4, 350, 934 1,968,374 2, 603, 676 399, 509 2,004,198 773,235 2, 060, 800 435,054 Yen. 9, 021,-636 68, 600, 002 26, 606, 628 7,043,046 14, 162, 651 4, 817, 767 i> 454, 292 5,696,453 ' 5, 568, 004 7, 364, 991 1, 089, 209 5, 243, 408 1, 653, 914 2, 969, 763 809, 634 132, 061 4,763,371 748, 414 2,903,829 1,370,857 760, 594 949,750 4,324.427 495; 786 2,220,416 965,644 953, 436 904,013 1,438,245 2,223,432 1,132,575 618, 061 396,141 593,337 549, 029 517,808 327, 144 1,266,577 418,884 1,212,896 437,952 675,231 1,245,049 719,930 907, 927 244, 303 246, 936 826, 960 229,035 902, 596 631,654 416, 966 621, 852 569,923 817,200 244,263 289, 394 937, 094 •216,124 511,715 2,036,844 3,902,559 3,882,517 99, 828 3, 662, 638 8, 919, 693 1,362,767 4,080,543 962, 910 2, 981, 693 1, 328, 751 2,002,732 2,181,064 1,120,737' 1,101,183 864,497 1,798,535 984, 798 1, 326, 142 773,265 952, 919 679, 312 2,184,846 666, 940 984, 935 1,700,409 656, 643 882,732 187,169 531,483 1,243,065 393,635 1,323,316 2,433,768 424,772 ■ 929, 526 832,149 1,095,575 442,050 624,828 2, 100, 054 « 244, 979 781,121 'Not separately stated, i> Leaf tobacco only. « Amorphous only. Value of yen on January 1, 1885, in United States money, 85.8 cents; 1890, 75.2 cents; 1891, 83.1 cents; 1892, 74.5 cents; 1893, 66.1 cents; 1894, 65.6 cents; 1895, 49.1 cents; 1896, 62.9 cents; 1897, 61.1 cents; since 1898, 49.8 cents. 2322 COMMEECIAL JAPAN. [Dbceihser, Ijiports and Exeoets Off Tim "ETneted.- States in its Teade with Japan, by Akiiglbs; ■ duein& the Yeaes ending June 30, 1892. 'to 1901. IMPOSTS OF MERCHANDISE FROM JAPAN. ARTICLES. QtTANTITIES. 1802 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 ■ 1901 FREE OP DUTX. Animal 3 ' Articles, the growth, etc., of the United States brought back. i Art works Books, maps, engravings, etc Chemicals, drugs, aj^d dyes: Gums, camphor, crude. lbs. . Sulphur orbrimstonei crude tons. . Another..., 1,577,329 12,227 1,258,116 8; 307 804,490 4,777 1,222,866 14,241 327,051 8,997 769,711 . 9,446 l,608i235 7,489 1,510,318 4,328 1,436,636 9,958 1,567,475 . 11,798 Copper, pigs, bars, etc. , lbs. . 514,567 2,213 112,248 2,591,271 1,410 400 Cotton: 140,000 31,620 20,800 35 2,000 Waste and flocks lbs. . 59,200 1.6,400 3,600 2,000 900 Feathers and downs for beds Fruits, including nuts- FtiTB and fur skins, undressed Hides and skins other than fur skins., lbs.. 3,726- 34,308 ' Ivory^ animal lbs. . 10 8 Oils, fixed or expressed lbs.. 363 7,008,883 8,640 10,588,550 1,512 14^998,700 Paper stock: Kagsother than woolen, .lbs. . 14,309,703 2,463,500 4,131,250 5,277,856 7,758,100 441,607 3,779,200 . SIlk: Unmanufactured, cocoons lbs. . 73,173 4i 062, 362 7,767 130, 663 3,697,675 11, 810 129,682 2, 644; 888 72; 226 9,852 27,275 37,980,937 158,176 3,788,171 62,359 76,'ii8" 36,941,394 75,128 3,951,380 106,541 19,708 462,267 38,552,467 2 5,294i.42a 153; .733 2,648 7,676 22,698,308 '"4,'5i5,li6' 75,288 52. 1,906 15 4,765,091 61,733 Raw, or as reeliedirom t^ie cocoon. lbs. . Waste - lbs.. Pepper, black or white Tbs'. . 3,474,865 88,732 "■'105^646' 45,465,181 4,658,111 84,403 All other lbs-. . 1,112 39,602,519 156,468 154,111 Tea - lbs.. 38,622,956 ■All otiier free articles Tbtal free, oldjity DOTIABIE. Animals .. Artworks _ Bone and horn, manufactures of' — Books, maps, engravings, etc Bra^', and manufactures- of. Chemicals, drugs; and dyes^.. Coal, bituminous , tons. . Copper, manufactures of 4,660 4, 630- 13,206 11,760 2,972 1,579 2,675 7,552 10,177 7,011 Cotton, manufactuees of: Cloths sq. yds.. Other 10, 362' 29,716 98,004 764,484 204,075 44,296 83,131 69,656. 88„932 426, 49t 1 EfiirChen, stone, and china w^are FOrn** pYpppfpaim-Tpfif Fibers vegetable, etc., manufecturesof .... Furs and manufactures of fur Leather and manufactures of 18',.I0I,706- 18,447,872 tures of. Oils; Animal, whale, and fish galls. . 2,398 191,852 156,456 5,000 7,768 279,606 31,411 219 10,020 30 40 2 5 10,000 60 Vegetable, fixed or expressed lbs. . 1,486 280, 453 11,782 625,559 Provisions ■ Meat products Bice and rice meal lbs. . Silk, and manufactures of: 26,162,463 18,293,273 21,538,650 34,251,824 24,482,909 34,785,112 17,550,439 57,412,717 24,713,735 23,308,918 Tea *bs 2,099,501 9 28,331,198 33,949,350 406 35,710,464 74 Tobacco: Leaf lbs 660 1,100 734 1,031 223* 711 Wool, manufactures of; Caroets and carDeting" so. vds.. 142 183 12,618 11,748 8,143 6,921 12,244 7,359 3,057 395 All other ... 1 1901.,! COMMERCIAL JAPAN". 2323 Impoets and Exports of the United States in its Trade with Japan, by Aeticles, during the Yeaes ending June 30, 1892 TO 1901. ' IMPOETS OF MERCHANDISE FROM JAPAN. 1892 1898 1894 1895 VAL 1890 DB3. 1897 1898 1899 19t)0 1901 AETICLES. IhUmv. BoSars: Dvllare. Doltwrs. Dollars. DoUars. Dottars. Doaars. Dollars. Dollars. FREE OF DUTX. 122 51 1,318 223 667 548 324 423 359 424 Animals. 10,834 20,820 15,383 9,395 8,408 23,815 15,274 16,781 74,449 16,710 Articles, the growtli, etc., of the United States, hrought back. S7S 580 1,025 2,449 3,027 1,653 1,645 958 2,263 9a 1,494 4,242 101 519 2,802 1,560 2,104 4,963 Books, maps, engravings, etc. Chemicals, dihigs, and dyes: 3^7, 303 302, »49 184,550 219,593 87,975 156,309 2Sff,I91 255,474 372,451 518,151 Gums, camphor, crude. 213, 775 133,455 62, 567 130,988 95, 244 140,426 146,813 81,818 186,847 219,193 Sulphur or brimstone, crude. 32,387 58,032 99,706 39,267 16,254 28,627 53,194 192 43,573 32,470 65,867 15, 223 49,531 321, 510 All other. Copper, pigs, bars, etc. 6,210 2,669 543 1,151 47 10,300 1 94 191 1 80,133 139 25 Cottok: " UhmaDiifaotured. 2,214 565 2,602 93 26,873 165 696 107 75 98 46 Waste and fiocks. 439 3,227 20 2,896 59 2, 369 90 5,075 Fruits, including nuts. 17, 176 994 3,425 Furs and fur skins, undressed. 107 244 119 286 81 001 leB' 423 110, 001 80 223,462 697 Kats, bonnets, and hoods, materials for,etc. '236 858 397 205 380 365 8,078 Hides and skins other than tor sliins. 28,543;, 32,182 24,882 30 1,017,540 16,945 ' 'i,'6i5,'2i9" 18,791 24 1,989,340 27,111 21, 272 12,294 25,529 30,632 Household and personal efEeots, etc. Ivory, animal. 640, 714 860,047 2,259,958 40,169 (■) (') (■), , Matting, for floors, etc. 27 368 68 158 69 45 250 433 2,484 Oils, fixed or expressed. 75, 574 113,993 181,261 136,971 26,983 38,994 52,825 67,969 4,165 36,207 Paper stock: Rags other than woolen. 12, 500 18,680 12,630 593 1,076 417 429 1,603 976 461 Seeds, n. e. s. 1,319 3,514 1,488 1,535 1,985 555 1,376 5,808 3,502 1,370 Shells, not cut or manufactured. SilK: Unmanufactured, cocoons. 47,896 13,116,579 77,918 14,784,432 86,285 8,024,743 71,744 10,284,798 33,425 12,91S,590 1 9 10,010,885 16,463,406 14,920,787 19,688,132 14,571,547 Raw, as reeled from the cocoons. 4,024 7,201 40,497 026 793 5,504,411 37,238 35,781 739 16,109 4,911,448 517 88,263 205 262 2,714,679 27,073 19 112 27,217 53,131 Waste. Spices, ungeound: Pepper, black or white. Alfother. 67 6, 699, 582 2,491 4,601,041 3,051 5,651,279 6,440 8,307 5, 508, 347 Tea. 31, 627 13,282 11, 304 10,707 21,815 25,909 26,246 28,933 30,730 33,052 Wood, unmanufactured. 30,830 44,222 10,785 121,307 132,839 130, 569 99,008 97,789 54,797 215,417 All other free articles. 20,134,718 22,296,110 15,380,802 16,951,055 20, 462, 456 18,808,609 19,963,715 15,553,932 20,566,198. 16,096,498 Total free of duty. DUTIABLE. 95 114 135 261 947 676 624 698 814 647 Animals. 1,062 6, 407 1,346 10,211 1,197 6,952 304 2,017 1,951 4,495 6,410 6,023 19,011 5,091 3,643 4,336 Art works. 2,110 3,393 Bone and horn, manufactures of. 6,503 1,420 2S 618 11,496 6,917 10, 997 23,320 34,552 13,414 10,742 12,851 14,215 Books, maps, engravings, etc 1,626 330 178 209 119 239 104 539 738 Brass, and manufactures of. 30, 632 45,402 57,268 59,369 88,165 101,256 123,613 130,093 191,911 Brushes. 28,861 71,856 35,174 67,121 77,566 78,860 43,864 44,116 59,908 64,775 Chemicals, drugs, and dyes. 14,768 904 8,544 847 20,000 2,096 23,206 13 7,397 162 3,928 628 8,075 4 21,412 183 38,691 330 17,841 66 Coal, bituminous. Copper, manufactures of. COTTON", MANUFACTURES OP: 1,937 3,708 10,896 70,388 16,028 3,974 6,643 5,652 7,407 43,295 Cloths. 116,240 56t 369 45,854 102,624 73,754 34,684 37,340 63,669 92, 193 Other. 337,839 C) 517 407,109 335, 461 196,021 387,591 440, 053 313,712 290,036 373,269 459, 518 Earthen, stone, and china ware. 276 C") C) 111,231 151,488 151,320 120, 628 204,470 152,407 Fans, except palm leaf. 1,014 321 812 187 350 544 3,217 1,306 Feathers and flowers, artificial. 40,928 2 388 64,408 260,334 647,731 484,936 301,909 136, 15S 126; 850 70,600 67, 348 Fibers, vegetable, etc. , manufactures of. 8i292 7,013 3,573 4,202 12,229 9,775 12,677 11,676 29,854 Fruits, including nuts. '7S9 22,004 750 183 164 314 2,252 832 388 1,111 1,150 Furs, and manufactures of fur. 532 2,192 3,786 6,839 6,160 2,536 • 654 2,942 3,088 Glass and glassware. 207,. 123 10,473 1,592 730 326,823 16,220 1,707 4,243 503,814 20, 449 1 854 1,970 619,644 14,860 15,861 • 4,235 Hats, bonnets, and hoods, materials for. 9,164 1,595 2,194 9,974 935 188 8,835 1,354 1,844 6,039 4,015 9,386 Ivory, manufactures of. 1,768 27 1,798 18,955 Leather, and manufactures of. 863,578 75,248 1,674,158 97,087 1,497,634 132,061 1,699,819 116,859 Matting, for floors, etc. 61,700 92,848 81,124 66,575 98; 409 99,721 Metal, metal compositions, and manufac- tures of. 426 3&,746 24,656 495 2,671 9,356 209,239 1,604 176 10,130 131 1,193 4,515 4 10 2 1 2,042 Oils: Animal, whale, and fish. 1,037 21 6 48 Mineral. 661 11,133 245,713 302 3,605 19,404 310,986 379 101 5,537 10il80 110,612 367 766 4,312 Vegetable, fixed or expressed. 21,173 192,414 719 26,239 213,289 1,544 37,715 199,556 967 14,917 221,795 2,078 14,844 254,887 603 18,194 284, 243 2,177 Volatile or essential. Paper, and manufactures of. Pipes and smokers"^ articles. 270 936 59 67 88 &t6 2,105 474,431 Provisions: Meat products. Rice and rice meal. Silk, and manufactukes or: 540,084 324,412 334,356 522,449 377,678 629, 296 406, 889 229,078 387,327 21,819 1,444,713 14,919 221,538 93t,264 31,944 2,164,088 14,875 51,992 970,381 47,189 1,318,213 18,332 134,258 1,861,493 66,030 2,713,557 4,327 254,410 878,487 61,912 1,610,097 12,319 202, 339 1,107,907 44,690 1,401,028 5,909 67,147 1,503,409 84,880 413,232 8,781 330,400 3 292 71,200 2,042,797 124,719 435,991 7,402 4,016,187 74,014 2,736,788 177,924 432,418 62,910 •4, 371; 605 66 589 32,672 508 26,454 79,593 2,135,727 126,968 500,550 29,498 4,966,303 37 185 35,620 3,426 165,171 Clothing, ready-made. Dress and piece goods. Laces and embroideries. All other. Straw, manufactures of. Tea. 30O 84 22 550 595 414 11 28 437 444 3 Tobacco: Leaf. 105 Manufactures of. Toys. Umbrellas. 24,751 854 490 36,003 1,261 1,913 14,474 1,689 2,245 16,877 396 1,299 34,429 474 2,545 23,478 ■ 555 3,853 23, 658 240 4,611 7,104 Vegetables. Wood, manufactuees of: 844 lD9i348 4,693 138,281 3,101 132,549 2,966 93,192 7,743 , 166; 318 4,804 139,090 2,134 101,871 1,318 87,830 1,569 160,677 791 208,109 Cabinetware and house furniture. AU other. Wool, manufactukes of: 118 46 17,846 329 108 53,644 6,336 670 10,209 6,642 1,965 74,955 4,420 5,489 40, 616 5,653 21,965 43,296 13,887 4,552 65,764 9,810 198 106,652 2,884 5,495 167,103 399 1,399 476,965 Carpets and carpeting. All other. All other dutiable articles. 3,655,484 5,158,110 4,045,720 6,744,902 5,074,582 .5,201,147 5,259,896 11,162,828 12,182,704 13,133,045 Total dutiable. 23,790,202 27,454,220 19,426,522 23,695,957 26,537,038 24,009,756 25,223,610 26,716,770 32,748,902 29,229,643 Total imports. •See( lutiable. i> Not enur aerated. 2324 COMMEKCIAL JAPAif. Imports and Exports of the United States in its Trade with Japan, by Articles, during the Years ending June 30, 1892 TO 1901— Continued. EXPORTS OP DOMESTIC MERCHANDISE TO JAPAN. ARTICLES QtJANTITIEa. 1892 1893 1894 1896 1896 1897 1898 1890 1900 1901 Agricultural implements Art works: Paintings and statuary Blaclcing Bones, hoofs, liorns, etc Books, maps, engravings, etc Brass, and manufactures of BEEADSTtlFFS: Wheat flour bbls.. All other 38,052 61,836 68,428 93,889 103,582 237,126 161,664 226,029 638,406 354,887 Candles Ihs 14,208 2,000 9,600 2,400 9,470. 2,520 3,560 5,600 61,780 49,180 Cars, passenger and freight, and parts of . . . Cycles, and parts of Chemicals, dyes, and drugs Clocks and watches, and parts of Copper, manufactures of CbTTON: Dumanufaetured lbs. . Manufactures- Cloths yds. . Another 1,574,315 84,286 793,242 89,062 4,801,595 752,266 11,064,859 1,186,970 20,194,174 1,438,563 32,011,2.52 2,525,986 112,200,355 580,861 91,367,161 629,479 161,601,219 423,968 39,279,023 317,494 FBtiiTs: Apples, green or ripe bbls. . Fruits, canned 716 642 451 283 314 680 581 990 790 333 Glass and glassware - Gunpowder and other explosives Hides and skins, other than furs lbs. . 37,644 63,685 10,000 26,488 Hops lbs.. India rubber and gutta-percha, manufac- 9,391 5,981 7,971 9,016 19, 299 16,688 8,159 25,877 Ink, printers' , and other lEON AND STEEL, AND MANtlFACTUBES OP: Car wheels No. . Firearms 104 860 1,620 3,098 1,127 2,336 1,780 1,000 2,476 2,664 Locks, hinges, saws, and tools Steam engines — locomotives No.. 6 15 23 23 95 167 69 19 39 Other machinery^ All other Jewelry, and manufactures of gold and silver. Lamps, chandeliers, etc Another 625,883 667,682 637,051 1,754,052 2,261,353 1,054,058 1,563,105 757,961 1,804,575 902,591 Malt liquors, in bottles doz. quarts. . 1,627 4,867 6,393 5,665 13,308 14,367 6,784 16,090 17,982 33,682 Naval stores: Eosin bbls. . Tu^entine and pitch bbls.. Turpentine, spirits of galls. . Oils, minep.al, eeeined: Illuminating , galls. . Lubricating galls. . 2,098 520 4,160 23,761,930 45,410 2,542 230 500 26,869,510 63,293 7,040 150 4,000 37,272,450 60,299 2,464 723 8,500 24,298,170 238,370 3,470 525 13,400 33,701,038 432,367 8,780 794 27,750 46,262,501 1,158,625 7,422 646 12,600 51,621,050 1,777,115 10,177 828 20,200 32,705,180 897,096 6,928 560 31,160 51,297,805 2,044,167 7,666 77 28,060 53,299,686 1,244,878 Paper and manufactures of Paraffin and paraffin wax lbs.. PBOVISIOKS, COMPBISINe MEAT AND DAIRY PEODUCTS: Beef, canned lbs. . Beef, salted or pickled lbs. . Bacon and hams lbs.. Pork, pickled lbs. . Lard lbs.. 16,841 183,020 20,400 31,413 6,400 23,670 1,530,081 85,230 38,000 212,896 10,600 18,630 1,842,548 189,780 94,300 20,327 22,300 13,282 6,690 1,620,399 2,213,022 601, 800 31,366 31,420 21,880 16,520 3,062,790 261,470 51,000 32,771 42,750 33,640 20,909 4,313,395 706,490 174,247 32,371 20,000 19,847 32,653 4,380,586 227,672 1,112,300 83,268 2,700 24,114 31,836 3,328,069 "346,778 644,260 126,676 6,000 15,150 19,185 4,825,819 134,360 126,550 107,410 17,600 43,778 41,309 2,806,724 972,489 1,290,000 150,047 18,000 60,470 62,377 Dairy products- Butter lbs.. Cheese lbs.. Milk 44,333 12,675 66,664 10,480 58,189 14,153 77,001 13,051 101,751 31,960 87,180 40,966 115,203 35,594 92,495 52,e80 101,287 53,294 96,660 76,496 Salt lbs 146,000 20,000 126,600 250,000 240,000 1.204,000 1,111,400 1,486,430 geeds Soap: Another lbs.. Spirits, distnied proof galls. . 108,900 251,911 52,400 9,852 173,140 3,176 60,010 1,460 117,478 4,903 94,683 67,640 140,667 876,766 182,064 1,366,852 348,276 242,488 293,562 38,329 Sugar, refined lbs . . Tobacco: Leaf ......Ids.. 119,851 135,447 3,150,337 11,087 76,580 428,363 73,512 49,991 41,302 237,041 130,453 44,460 861,677 216,981 51,306 2,751,246 263, 363 48,732 24,198,879 297,143 74,230 3,104,472 78,266 90,039 2,249,706 10,003 Manufactures of— Cigarettes M.. 39,424 102,864 Varnish galls.. 1,140 4,030 1 790 1 1,440 6,679 4,469 3,429 3,183 5,372 1 7,060 Wine: 500 42,705 199 451 41,287 34,843 210 23,819 428 92,612 557 43,660 274 49,853 251 67,865 919 201 77,726 81,836 In other coverings galls.. 1901.] COMMERCIAL JAPAN. 2325 Imports and Exports of the TJkited States in its Trade with Japan, by Articles, during the Years ending June 30, 1892 TO 1901 — Continued. EXPORTS OF DOMESTIC MERCHANDISE TO JAPAN. VALDES. ' ARTICLES. 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1990 1901 Dottan. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. DoUars. DoUars. Dollars. 2,445 1,145 1,529 429 1,323 7,276 3,401 10,461 20,790 42,399 Agricultural implements. 701 5,939 360 8,406 1,000 4,588 562 4,280 3,000 1,864 319 4,698 2,120 7,289 Art works: Paintings and statuary. 2,'i82' ii.'iio' 2," 469' Blacking. 15,702 18,085 19,488 24,987 31,377 34, 202 24,646 12,307 8,352 19,044 Bones, hoofs, horns, etc. 15,126 16,790 30,367 14,177 18,516 23,689 27,608 36,163 48,089 43,933 Books, maps, engravings, etc. 261 641 1,399 2,052 6,732 4,008 13,640 16,208 69, 695 41,837 Brass, and manufactures of. Beeadstuffs: 179,246 193,945 211,579 245)122 286,111 819,620 644,039 722,710 1,654,739 1,036,893 Wheat flour. 10,912 9,706 19,486 25,348 14,829 80,993 58,204 21,862 139,101 73,342 All other. 1,791 205 1,009 223 1,060 287 310 483 6,400 4,802 Candles. 2,182 719 1,671 1,356 5,370 513' 7,640 4,025 23,615 7,216 Cars, passenger and freight, and parts of. 27,056 29,037 62,179 46,946 88,905 39,971 117,943 80,498 245,866 131, 871 252,200 119,876 Cycles, and parts of. Chemicals, dyes, and drugs. Clocks and watches, and parts of. 29,' 812' 26,' 514' 24," 697' 31," 672' 131,317 114, 694 44,452 35,664 99,742 177, 607 163, 438 133, 307 201,810 287, 381 2,376 2,368 2,900 3,598 10,676 33,356 8,469 9,718 27,421 35,368 Copper, manufactures of. Cotton: 132,729 68,423 360,492 806,058 1,481,056 2,345,016 7,435,626 5,775,784 12,712,619 4,086,317 Unmanufactured. Manufactures — 10,330 9,084 42,764 92,590 92,830 141,264 47,234 33,828 34,629 37,891 Cloths. 22,915 43,418 7,707 18,552 12,639 35,344 16,083 18,019 28,989 31,060 . Another. Fruits: 1,608 1,307 1,125 661 628 1,287 1,478 2,131 1,745 891 Apples, green or ripe. 14,810 11,813 10,619 • 16,853 11,702 10,345 14,485 19,277 25,696 30,311 Fruits, canned. 2,315 1,109 2,106 ■2,266 1,910 3,188 1,984 4,045 8,576 14,233 Glass and glassware. 9,997 3,272 3,004 19 7,467 14,558 12,886 6,592 25,016 21,863 Gunpowder and other explosives. 3,792 541 1,907 1,124 5,130 1,892 1,205 875 5,215 1,405 Hides and skins, other than furs. 1,966 22,714 1,439 27,984 1,821 12,699 1,304 19,441 1,691 37,833 1,404 42,006 1,126 68,440 3,538 57,579 6,088 83,060 3,813 94,750 Hops. India rubber and gutta-percha, manufac- tures of. 31, 916 12, 229 8,643 15,020 39,166 16,493 26,940 26,337 34,989 33,975 Ink, printers', and other. 6,398 32,587 34,600 24,861 98,243 148,271 230, 197 232,892 313,076 376,068 Instruments, etc., for scientific purposes. Iron and steel, and manufactures of: 953 7,588 11,576 24,278 8,613 12,370 5,617 3,624 17,091 20,773 Car wheels. 41,048 30,145 8,707 •6,012 21,475 32,372 33,433 38,306 32, 361 42,512 Firearms. 20, 763 10,832 13,401 22,491 49,847 44,910 76,600 26,498 106,251 121,697 Locks, hinges, saws, and tools. 1,052 2,499 1,265 3,466 9,685 7,275 5,883 5,270 11,706 30,979 Sewing machines. 42! 600 57,100 33,916 517 115, 578 32,758 157,434 109,332 173,160 286,816 920,130 951,653 1,283,865 701,458 529,514 569,691 202,981 846,637 372,162 1,481,916 Steam engines— locomotives. i64,'954' Other machinery. 40,552 2,890 35,426 1,454 95,731 2,621 357,217 ■ 9,729 1,509,173 5,678 2,881,644 8,982 1,405,716 5,672 4,243,278 19,640 2,579,368 2,146 All other. Jewelry, and manufactures of gold and 1,376 3,065 3,346 2,655 3,596 10, [83 7,131 3,437 10,722 13,686 Lamps, chandeliers, etc. Leather: 139,384 5,439 5,126 1,812 1,331 147,071 115,028 371,479 474,692 213,853 327,836 166,603 442,109 224,371 Sole. 4,422 10,614 2,792 19,857 7,026 32,129 34,383 63, 731 47, 676 All other. 2,073 4,517 4,060 8,481 19,170 18,072 9,625 18,754 13,604 Manufactures of. 5,104 1,402 6,919 1,948 4,217 1,496 13,080 1,346 16,730 573 6,507 1,053 14,529 690 21,833 780 32,291 3,410 Malt liquors, in bottles. Marble and stone, and manufactures of. Naval stores: 4,608 823 6,201 13, 999 5,872 7,934 39,200 16,764 17,663 11,780 17,187 Rosin. 378 ■ 228 1,340 951 1,246 998 1,416 910 136 Turpentine and pitch. 1,687 200 -1,356 2,883 4,410 8,651 4,088 8,476 16,263 13,181 Turpentine, spirits of. Oils, mineral, refined: 1,798,792 13,622 1,156 1,371 976 1,710,480 14,492 1,731 4,745 77,824 2,209,070 17, 177 2,661 - 2,669 73,315 1,691,751 64,941 6,542 5,006 63,868 3,060,797 88,730 4,033 10,126 127,001 4,029,459 192,918 14,092 6,952 171,476 3,592,687 222,536 14,583 491,256 158,305 2,341,922 119,553 10,219 350,118 132,273 5,149,082 259,343 13,333 251,912 224,469 4,784,350 197,342 19,774 206,586 167,118 Illuminating. Lubricating. Paints and painters' colors. Paper, and manufactures of. Paraffin and paraffin wax. Provisions: comprising meat and dairy products: 26,388 986 4,206 450 12,706 1,934 18,393 788 28,067 4,961 2,931 1,516 302,649 34,002 ,4,112 905 38,376 2,616 4,485 3,164 60,013 9,457 4,199 1,263 33,452 60,242 10,588 175 40,750 42,893 15,607 225 19,897 8,357 13,691 1,364 140,648 72,325 20,358 1,379 Beef, canned. Beef, salted or pickled. Bacon and hams. Pork, pickled. 1,995 2,088 1,236 976 7,871 1,811 1,758 2,270 2,511 2,828 1,584 1,446 3,166 2,226 1,731 3,217 8,654 1,160 1,970 8,646 3,358 4,412 11,372 4,338 5,820 8,652 Lard. Oleomargarine. All other meat products. Dairy products- i8,'8ii' i6,'5i8' 10,208 1,760 43,723 11,402 1,355 8,866 11,534 1,884 40,347 438 1,330 14,007 1,663 34,446 78 225 18,103 3,603 45,395 409 390 15,654 4,433 58,766 1,181 514 23,097 3,867 76,106 804 735 18,692 5,966 76,701 2,810 386 21,066 6,062 99,433 2,485 946 19,359 8,494 118,311 5,061 895 Butter. Clieese. Milk. Salt. Seeds. gOAP: 571' i39' 1,734 4,432 65,662 16,802 6,917 664 1,949 4,639 14,174 7,173 557 3,263 4,280 5,859 92,745 1,965 2,192 2,469 6,248 12,876 1,660 4,228 7,221 17,761 2,044 2,079 3,288 27,146 15,628 2,214 8,171 6,430 326,844 11,800 2,466 2,617 6,890 414,404 14,596 2,143 18,832 11,971 91,886 34,257 2,900 12,474 9,545 33.470 is; 281 4,180 Toilet or fancy. All other. Spirits, distilled. Stationery except paper. Sugar, reti'ned. Tobacco: 820 7,340 12,948 65,124 197,036 2,414,482 322,362 228,240 Leaf. Manufactures of— Cigarettes. All other. Varni-h. Vcget;iLi;es. Wine: 114,198 46,373 1,361 1,205 179,118 53,544 4,477 1,320 137,895 33,009 1,029 1,345 75,206 22,496 1,409 6,892 202,774 67,724 6,108 2,913 349,603 58,074 4,264 1,893 400,542' 73,694 3,403 11,473 445,263 67,955 2,930 10,360 96,988 11,214 5,037 7,181 9,009 1,641 6,129 24,132 1,976 15,419 874 14,604 1,823 13,006 803 8,474 1,846 24,167 2,290 15,346 1,133 16,119 1,218 23,109 3,446 26,460 817 26,608 In bottles. In other coverings. No. 6 -25 2326 OOMMEEGIAL JAPAJf. [Decbimbix, ' Impokts and Expoets or the United States in its Trade with Japan, by Aeticxbs, dukins the Yeaes ending J0ne 30, 1892 TO 1901 — Continued. EXPOKTS or DOMESTIC MJEECHANDISE TO JAPAN— O^tinued. AETiCLES. QUANTITIES. | 1892 1898 1891 1805 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 Wood, and makofactdkes of: Lumber— Boards, deals, and planks. -M feet. . Other lumber and timber 702 481 109 423 2,969 20,290 7,685 444 5,098 5,218 Manufactures of— Household furniture All other ■ Total foreign merchandise . ... GOLD AND SILVER. Impokts: ' Gold i Silver ExPOKTs: ' Gold 1 ■ y 1901.] COMMEECIAL JAPAlJT. 2327 Impokts and Exports of the United States in its Tkade with Japan, by Articles, duhin-g the Years ending June 30, 1892 TO 1901 — Continued. EXPORTS OF DOMESTIC MEECHANDISE TO JAPAN— Continued. VALUES. ARTICLES. 1892 1883 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 Dollars. 9,401 18,700 14,773 1,978 36,461 Dollars. 4,569 419 20,351 697 - 34,628 DoUars. 1,297 803 28,799 440 17,966 Dollars. 4,509 439 16,927 3,714 52,612 DoUars. 29,386 4,613 20,094 4,627 42,674 DoUwrs. 172,588 12,955 27,845 5,326 74,014 Dollars. 62,287 5,525 27,424 5,534 149,145 Dollars. 6,312 15,059 16,552 30,677 323,244 DoUars. 52,403 33,055 18,799 28,013 315,889 DoUars. 54,552 23,517 21,107 ■ 51,892 '685,164 Wood, and manufactures of: Lumber— Boards, deals, and planks. Other lumber and timber. Manuf actmiea ol— Household furniture. All other. All other articles. 3,288,282 1,829 S,1S9,7U 5,783 3,981,377 5,438 4,559,242 75,475 7,640,250 49,435 13,233,970 21,508 20,354,689 30,852 17,158,970 105,718 29,042,536 44,939 18,656,899 343,741 Total domestic merchandise. Total foreign merchandise. 3,290,111 8,195,494 • 3,986,815 4,634,717 7,689,685 13,255,478 20,385,541 17,264,688 29,087,475 19,000,640 Total exports of merchandise. IMPORTS OF GOLD AND SILVER FROM JAPAN. 326,628 89,274 43,680 6,400 500 2,921 4,440,7«3 4,915 4,630 13 3,382,732 148,227 2,000,247 5,020,424 18,000 4,526,724 165 4,210 64,290 5,625,230 40,139 220 1,947 IMPOKIS: Gold. Silyer, 2,407 4,150,980 1,000 3,849,030 Exports: Gold. 2,301,369 2,987,351 61,910 Silver. > Including animals, $220,560. 2328 COMMEECIAL JAPAN. [Dbcsmbek, Imports and Expobts op the United States in its Trade with Japan, by Customs Districts, during the Years ending June 30, 1892, TO 1901.. IMPOETS OF MERCHANDISE FROM JAPAN. CUSTOMS DISTRICTS. 1892 1893 1894 1896 1896 189? 1898 1899 1900 1901 Baltimore, Md Dollars. 42,577 Dollars. 19,195 Dollars. 33,053 Dollars. 72,014 Dollars. 104,696 DoUars. 101,227 Dollars. 73,760 Dollars. 125, 680 ' Dollars. 205,827 Dollars. 186,388 641 Bangor, Me Bath, Me 66 Beaufort, S. C Boston and Charlestown, Mass 21,722 49,434 42,703 39, 961 97,068 123,843 723 87,116 94,266 13, 628 130, 836 241 128,287 Charle-ton, S. C Delaware 74 7,982 Fairfield, Conn 307 1,260 4,455 995 Georgetown, D. C 7,534 57,180 2,250 2,151 1,305 22,639 7,236 866 15 431 1,303 440 731 442 68 132 32,424 894 77 7,719 10,332 520 247 1,691 H^tfoid, Conn 5,921 234 Newark.N.J New Haven, Conn 28 New London, Conn Newport News, Va 25 7,957,682 New York, N.Y 8,274,998 11,767,040 8,591,682 9,287,706 7,243,829 8 6,926,990 7,079,664 8,061,576 7,807,277. Norfolk and Portsmouth, Va Passamaquoddv, Me 1 Philadelphia , Pa 12,711 33,448 18,725 79,498 4,628 182 107, 327 45,983 2,105 115,663 22.246 3; 728 103,683 76,834 110, 189 168,626 872 518 35 121,676 Portland and Falmouth, Me Providence, R.I 1,518 1,182 1,500 210 270 313 2,219 20 440 Richmond, Va - Savannah, Ga 22 3,152 6" 37 4 200 366 434 3,710 9,216 2,193 Key West, Fla ■ 472 Mobile, Ala 82 752 407 1,881 6,304 64,891 83,198 8,862 49,186 93,908 88,187 1,987 Paso del Norte, Tex Pensacola, Fla 670 8,677 3,162 Tampa, Fla 176 24,484 23,809 Hawaii 699,966 34,726 108 3,207,849 108,676 9,927,618 305,855 469 1,337,005 93,958 104,917 1,886 Los Angeles, Cal 334 3,073 836 106,189 6,614 6,080 487,133 16,583 2,272,183 10 9,755,789 143,007 21,685 2,026,815 96, 638 123,074 7,439 6,854 20 4,770,340 2 5,992,401 426,717 11,643 1,136,781 41,788 48,381 14 4,709 2 2,923,688 20,995 284 5, 155, 598 ■ 84,271 7,601,463 769,262 176 1,228,694 61,942 67,065 8,607 30 _. 36,788 7,303 18,058 16,142 363,924 1,247 8,512,476 514 Puget Sound, Wash 27,852 89,466 233 12,333,176 134,739 26,716- 2,164,690 34,857 130,933 ' 6,295 3,914,669 294,060 11,426,407 524,835 3,068 1,194,631 77,610 157,728 6,890 San Diego, Cal 12,349,089 283, 837 28,060 2,118,389 8,896 97,672 7,340,352 60,127 49, 592 2,086,930 80,748 151,643 16,813 8,646,576 72,768 • 16,635 2,050,102 55,464 109,027 2,449 11,842,677 498,181 34 811,416 14,421 19,942 Willamette, Oreg Buffalo Creek, N.Y Chicag ,111 Detroio, Mich Erie, Pa 1,309 13,712 9,447 21,760 44,634 21,020 17,547 21,715 41,662 46,200 26,604 17,837 362,696 53,195 Huron, Mich Miami, Ohio 6,919 22,053 177,950 4,715 151,573 12,352 ^64,901 293, 272 12,179 75,926 27,906 57,452 256,107 673 79,260 6,110 49,524 318,294 2,709 2,121,487 19,791 25,628 567, 323 1,670 2,345,847 21,923 18,794 448,080 1,063 2,381,021 34,183 20,668 376,725 1,003 3,939,959 447 106,932 4,970 1,638,809 Minnesota, Minn 6,386,239 Superior, Mich :::::::::::: ::::::::::::i 2,347 3,070 401 Albany, N.Y • 152 1,291 1,604 4,588 182 26,266 2,294 13,047 2,890 1,632 14,530 5,918 6,380 13,102 8,181 4,873 17,130 14,306 23,035 949 1,372 802 649 15,673 18 28,229 487 6,227 1,600 4,534 1,030 Columbus Ohio Denver, Colo 22,844 12,226 7,637 3,025 104 44,638 8,360 8,486 37,380 3,522 6,767 14, 639 723 4,835 2,363 898 6,820 28,367 10,951 16,-899 23,688 Dubuque, Iowa 4,607 22,844 1,000 7,769 1,292 14,883 2,458 1,647 31,461 28,021 1,122 50,024 16,181 35,330 2,776 420 20,038 30,901 • 1,001 18,842 25,410 3,761 144,762 20 4,832 21,260 20 748 77,764 26,412 41,262 111,426 23,065 12,830 4,966 183, 601 Indianapolis, Ind 192 4,550 60 7,254 Knoxville, Tenn 3,553 12,210 10,779 6,903 864 6,629 6,869 132 204 76,261 10,057 19,519 141,263 24,871 359 4,110 3,823 3,206 7,691 80 934 5,122 2,309 69,717 2,154 830 2,935 550 6,830 29,699 42 1,057 88,384 30,697- 18,600 115,630 23,102 119 26,639 Memphis, Tenn Nashville Tenn 35 47,056 61 2,169 124,274 1,082 24,577 47,266 11,386 786 206 68,803 3,607 20,876 40,803 12,481 362 934 68,409 11,043 17,587 69,101 21,369 533 43 67,648 1,944 15,987 84,577 23,178 160 10,418 Omaha, Nebr 93,888 560 17,261 21, 375 4,414 89 St Louis Mo 7,639 40,048 Total 23,790,202 27,454,220 19,426,522 23,695,967 25,637,038 24,009,756 25,223,610 26,716,770 32,748,902 29,229,548 190).,j COMMERCIAL JAPAN. 2329 Imports and Exports of the United States in its Trade with Japan, by Customs Districts, during the Years ending June 30, 1892, TO 1901. EXPORTS OF DOMESTIC MERCHANDISE TO JAPAN. 1892 189a 1894 1895 189G 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 CUSTOMS DISTRICTS. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. 1,298,707 Dollars. 28,463 Bangor, Me. Bath, Me. 4,000 25,581 3,297 30,416 Beaufort, S. C. 1,417 460 Boston and Charlestown, Mass. Charleston, S. C. Fairlleld, Conn. Georgetown, D.C, :::::::::::::::::: :::i , 8,961 185 Newark, N.J. New Haven, Conn. New London, Conn. Newport News, Va. ' 1,580,864 1,045,375 1,869,358 1, .510, 670 2,874,062 5,017,918 6, 814, 157 4,841,684 10, 000 348 970,369 7, 172, 855 6,2,53,825 30, 000 New York, N.Y. Norfolk and Portsmouth, Va. 1 1,002,305 920, 811 1,169,367 j S42,021 1,885,487 3,065,489 2,566,837 3,372,100 3,071,354 Philadelphia, Pa. Portland and Falmouth, Me. Providence, R. I. Richmond, Va. 10,000 563, 668 Wilmington, N.C. 867,845 440,971 73,860 14,289 444,696 1,767,466 Galveston, Tex. Key West, Fla. 305,052 257, 600 Mobile, Ala. 1,322,982 New Orleans, La. Paso del Norte, Tex. 30,450 ■ 266, 912 8,400 343,167 Pensacola, Fla. Saluria, Tex. ■ 23,674 108,718 60,120 Tampa, Fla. Alaska. 33 3,391 Hawaii. ■ Los Angeles, Cal. 410 37,679 1,270 590,984 18,574 2,216,991 17,856 6,051,843 2,444,772 3,668,666 875,165 3,570 4,466,628 763,712 3,343,923 439,039 Oregon, Oreg. Puget Sound, Wash. San Diego, Cal. 30,000 132,203 555,380 4,234,383 2,897,259 1,142,233 4,138,226 434,016 534,610 64,154 543,535 33,608 783,488 11, 781 1,661,269 27, 580 2,i76,54i 116,311 2,570,249 236,928 4,ii7,449 717,277 San Francisco, Cal. Willamette, Oreg. Buffalo Creek, N.Y. Chicago, m. 5,486 Cuyahoga, Ohio. 3,090 1,357 3,366 13, 733 Detroit, Mich. 3, -799 Dulath, Minn. Erie, Pa. Genesee, N. Y. Huron, Mich. Miami, Ohio. Milwaukee, Wis. Minnesota, Minn. -12,200 4,561 9,276 4,800 8,065 12,125 6,975 17,461 14,619 30,925 44,405 51,675 188,088 28,073 722,724 56, 684 60,486 54,600 145, 602 60,810 North and South Dakota. Oswegatchie, N. Y. Sandusky. Ohio. 428 3,497 Superior, Mich. ... 16,257 2,729 Vermont, Vt. Albany, N.Y. Atlanta, Ga. Cincinnati, Ohio. Columbus, Ohio, Denver, Colo. Des Moines, Iowa. Dubuque, Iowa. '""":::: ■••-■■'•-■■■ Evansville.Inri. Grand Rapids. Mich. Indianapolis, Ind. Kansas City, Mo. Knoxville, Tenn. Lincoln, Nebr. Louisville, Ky. Memphis, Tenn. Nashville, Tenn. 3,290,011 3,195,494 3,986,815 4,634,717 7,689,685 ■13,- 256, 478 -20,385,541 17,264,688 29,042,636 18,666,899 Omaha, Nebr. Pittsburg, Pa. St. Joseph, Mo. St. Louis, Mo. Sioux City, Iowa. Springfield, Mass. Syracuse, N.Y. Total. 23ao COMMEEOIAL JAPAK. [DECE3IBBS, Peincipal Impoets into Japan from Vaeious Foreign Countries in each Year from 1898 to 1900. [Fractions of yen are omitted.] ARTICLES AND 1900 1899 1898 ARTICLES AND COUNTRIES WHENCE IM- PORTED. 1900 1899 1898 WHENCE IM- PORTED. Quanti- ties. Values. Quanti- ties. Values. Quanti- ties. Values. Quanti- ties. Values. Quanti- ties. Values. Quanti- ties. Values. Clocks, standing and hanging (num- ber): 449 132,690 244 6,535 2 Yen. 3,863 149,320 3,299 29,980 18 594 26,266 «3 4,971 20 Ten. 2,731 27, 820 2,790 22,347 360 296 187,070 45 4,641 236 Yen. 3,210 208,165 404 19,417 765 Machinery, weaving (all kinds): Yen. 32,485 103.766 94; 138 2,312 Yen. 29,813 26,627 44,356 Yen. 47,402 52,077 Great Britain 60,183 31 495 Other countries... 232, 703 100,828 150,158 139,920 186,588 31,934 56,060 192,288 231,963 Sewing machines: 170,450 24,670 44,819 302 69,333 12,771 10,880 90 2,750 71,215 114,237 478,215 521 1,323 63,787 112,385 260,456 33 64,345 134,193 407,328 90,665 Electric-light appa- Great Britain 8,901 ratus: 29,813 France Germany Great Britain 240,242 93,076 129,943 United States Steam boilers and engines: 2,000 149 39,826 437,124 12,917 281,238 1 Total 666,939 437, 951 605,901 72,936 221,684 5,714 73,655 340 4,680 149,282 311 59,227 479 34,408 164,871 60 133,911 147,107 1,3.57 Fire engines and pumps: 202, 819 340,996 47,122 . United States 44,970 1,093 104,877 37,513 47 Total t 773,264; 327,144 697,173 Telephones: Belgium ..^ Total 374,330 213, 981 236,840 1 157,746 30,790 5,449 22,789 74,898 16,748 13,691 51,099 1,428 3,164 5,471 107,653 69, 169 285 13,348 9,700 19,359 137,541 83,393 3,569 40 Implements and 2,680 tools of farmers Great Blltain 37,023 and mechanics: Holland 7,464 France 6,227 3,730 143,980 108,210 1,710 Sweden and Nor- 993 108,5271 1, 563 103,549 200 2,120 37,340 1,194 Germany Great Britain United States Total Other countries . . . 326,373' 261,751 160,080 Total 263,859 187,172 266,913 Turning lathes: 19,497, 824' 185,990 25,090, 24,565 16,268 263,095 28,140 18,567 21,207 193,411 26,758 170 13,448 7,531 91,040 16,194 241 19,162 18,657 161, 195 8,235 278 9,442 Instruments or ap- paratus, photo- graphic: 2,958 216, 749 Great Britain United States . 14,712 Total 231,403, 331,070 243,863 Watches (all kinds) (number) : TTnited States 20,226 ,189 266 120,650 3,557 3 113,347 4,482 2,244! 595,156' 14,498 17 2,688 1,737 176 37,911 5,224 1 14,471 2,767 4,204 180,092 36,177 4 7,466 9,436 73 461,632 52,776 260, lis 128,456 207,529 38,077 Total Germany 11,616 Locomotive engines: 2,874 9,744 21,320 154,897 2,042,408 55,039 1, 999, 091 Great Britain Switzerland United States Other countries... 2,637 2,379,096 528,783 Germany 25,114 723,247 57,515 973,956 50,430 883,597 144,891 729,746 47,737 237,716 531,372 2,960,211 Great Britain Watch cases and ac- cessories: France Switzerland TTnltpd States "'340,' 846 24,275 1,644 1,515 138,002 298,297 549 691 541 107 15,095 67,052 Total 1,089,209 1,968,373 4,282,502 895 • 2,252 3,643 1,486 4,168 18,299 31,763 479 474 40,659 24,104 928 6,891 152,517 51,218 Great Britain . Machinery, raining: 20,213 19,824 100 United States Germany Other countries... Great Britain TTnitpd States Total : 464,184 83,489 46, 928 1 Watch movements: Total 55,718 65,717 1 211,565 58,410 1,397 9,394 179,230 211,550 5,781 439 4,079 32,973 36,029 4,809 383 • 5,554 143,947 326, 49f 133 1,064 129,550 32,526 170 36,363 13,801 Germanv .... Machinery, paper- 18,145 25,014 10,838 making: Switzerland Tntsil tlnited States 459,983 78,303 59,191 Other countries . . . Condensed milk (dozen) : Total 476,134 1 163, 13C 50,336 1,825 6,15f 165, 66f 4,12£ 6,66( 35,324 81,32; 3,651 10,164 316,858 12,366 12,553 74, 409 233,410 275 1,164 3,751 74,825 5,464 3,04C 27, 92L 57,29£ 2, 357 6,0S1 140, 455 8,512 6,051 67,501 103,441 C 533 4,280 28,846 8,061 300 62,362 09,323 Machinery, spin- ning (all kinds) : 3,92.= 12, 374 70,505 715,34' 1,24] 6,183 France Germany 1,14* 6,852 51,881 12, 960 Great Britain Holland- 7,85E 83,54C 680, 27t 1,35E 2oe 81,819 187,117 2,818,694 328 802 Sweden and Nor- 488 Switzerland United States Other countries . . . Total 112,961 174,562 Total 809,634 773, 23£ 3,088,762 300,22' 663,680 173,46' 389,071 ; 174,308 369,851 ..--■—=::= 1«01.] COMMEECIAL JAPAN. 2331 PjsiNoiPAt Imports into Japan pbom Vaeious Foeeign Countries in each Year from 1898 to 1900— Continued. ARTfCLES AND GOUNTRJKR WHENCE IM- PORTED. 1900 1899 1898 AETICLES AND COUNTRIES WHENCE IM- PORTED. 1900 1899 1898 Quanti- ties. Values. Quanti- ties. Values. Quanti- ties.!! Values. Quanti- ties. Values. Quanti- ties. Values, Quanti- ties. Values. Egg^ fresh (mille): 95,540 34C Yen. 1,238,661 4,400 8 66,903 331 11 Yen. 823,088 8,676 194 49,143 213 4 Yen. 490,462 2,034 55 Potash, chlorate of (kin): 126, 714 1,624,647 858,350 1,540,597 Yen. 20,686 259,064 142,014 252,847 20, 321 510, 363 260,810 1,473,038 61,386 Yen. 3,771 93,997 49,371 260,262 11,480 67,628 689,840 704,300 2,311,768 18,900 Yen. 8,367 112,036 112,121 396, 767 "Other countries ... France Total 95,88C 1,243,064 67,305 826,960 49,360 492,553 Great Britain 2 77*7 2, 674, lit 13,92f 66,495 135 40,178,095 901, 59J l,07e 182,-50o 1,297 3,529 43 1,945,250 52,114 104 247,441 60,991 30,133 15,938 2,702 1,377 779,833 9,607 68,770 21,772 8,645,982 641,757 445,159 40,185 766 2,763 1,103 475,636 44,811 44,668 other countries... Total 29,^605 4,698 Fish, salted (kin): British Ammoa .. 4,179,913 679,312 2,331,918 418,883 3,782,426 632, 059 Boda-ash (kin) : Great Britain United States 12,223,664 1,917 482,808 68 8,993,561 1,086,621 4,068 336,416 36, 800 153 7,068,129 259 184,054 Hussian Asia United States 23,328,158 •129,681 1,799 1,186,743 6,938 195 6 Other countries . ._ 12,225,681 482,877 10,081,250 373,369 7,068,388 184,059 43,836,53: 2,184,845 23,788,203 1,212,896 10,012,880 609,736 Soda, caustic (kin): 6,151 14,980,405 100,932 190 2,280 920, 608 0,618 12 2,501 11,120,878 101, 931 1,964 1,197 516,998 4,564 99 2,828,211 107, in 1,023,88; 127,761 5,663 41,373 272,896 34,287 295,609 61,462 47 22,815 423 28,268,815 54,750 11,807 2,080 14,771 4,762 2 1,393 25 1,333,676 2,337 18,750 940 Flour (kin) : Australia Great Britain United States other countries . . . Total .Boda, nitrate of BtitMi India 11,799,685 422,714 Austria .,.. -. 467,175 8,475 192,675 36,825 34,321 38,087,424 8 800 27,617 337 9,776- 2,166 1,762 1,979,359 r}pTTnp.Tiy , , , 15,086,678 929, 526 11,227, 274 521,851 11,799,685 422, 714 ISreat Britain Hongkong Russia 70,69< 7,37( 2! 80,2o5,20f 6,83' I 3,528 ) 397 3 i 3,703,360 428 261,960 182, 921 360,395 12,500 9,864 18,750 82,546 4,949,090 4,892 226,595 other countries . . . 3,371,324 117,319 84,299,345 3,882,516 29,001,104 1,370,857 38,854,44512,022,412 1 805,276 41,114 5, 031, 636 231,488 3,371,324 117,319 Hats, caps, anfl bon- nets (dozens) ; 3t 97- 15f 3,63( 15,93. 345 365 30[ 132 '599 2,107 4,628 45,476 343,615 4,403 9,073 1,004 3 61 2,837 52 861 8,655 192 283 96 26 1,294 7,670 962 9,732 183,960 2,689 5,816 1,017 320 46 2,214 509 2,200 13,242 21 166 10 3,570 1,022 4,670 4,419 19, 601 210,370 497 3,249 114 Aniline dyes (kin) : 26,825 63,453 1,826,838 9,339 7,800 304,715 1,000 16,864 39,473 1,029,498 8,420 4,652 229,141 699 3,590 47,143 945,150 1,546 9,800 107,102 100 2,814 26,027 783,411 1,079 9,844 80,784 51 1,654 16,437 1,230,974 2, .438 5,500 100,726 1,653 British India France 9,331 1,124,878 France ... Great Britain..'... 2,444 4,245 Great Britain Italy ■United States Switzerland Other countries . . . Total 76,289 1,739,970 1,328,750 1,114,431 904,012 1,357,729 1, 218,842 Indigo, dry (kin) : Total 21,745 411,04,1 13,040 .213,019 18,728 247,416 1,334 1,326,340 420,111 67.1 5,431 2,379,634 1,231,957 1,152 Jifiid, caJbolicOMn) : Belgium - iGermamy tGieat Britain 34,71( 116, 88( 332,78- 4 18,396 47,22U 157,426 1 56,221 108,787 .661,203 2,144 21,030 41,919 211,312 827 British India Dntcli India 1,412,542 290, 630 ""'22,' 850 13, US 5,499 20 2,107,067 639,752 "48,"67i 61,892 9,477 15 1,B93,259 43,879 613 26,592 2, 110, 179 72,838 69,798 4m, 322 23,023 116,822 Crermany Great Britain 30,899 62,023 542 111,390 134,797 1,685 3,395 38,269 Total 484,38' 223,045 728 305' ara ORR 471,120 109,845 Philippine Islands United States Other CDuntries.. . Total 27,664 25,076 ' 2,532 17,217 4,481 32,128 302 23,772 777 46,175 .Acid, salicylic (kin): 208,912 167,318 54,630 1,698 763 57,133 .2,170 1,196 230,273 756 256,029 861 15,269 21,056 1,851,673 3,902,558 1,708,728 2,903,829 1,806,276|2,270,814 lacquer (kin) : TTnited States 170 152 591,653 2,250 630 236,480 446 100 583,827 236,352 527,132 IB, 921 224 Total 209,082 167,470 57,091 60,499 231,029 256,891 Ti-ench India Other coimtries... Total 3,636 46 28,739 3,217 191,516 21,703 450 14,625 14,820 318,060 23,011,576 255 ,586,728 11,212 6,763,546 9,776 70 ■ 1,560 1,383 36,474 2,207,315 54 52,025 1,834 397,838 1,424 iiloohol (kin): 594,533 237,026 583,827 236,352 544,277 207,723 Xogwood extract (kin): British India 1,063,054 418,057 X 42,676 1,901 847 222,840 89,655 8,752 364 193 518,860 237, 319 66,445 112,065 47, 973 12,-382 945,073 150,479 21,420 ■5,898 16,880 21,258 9,056 617,182 41 210,729 1,792 1,018 fi7,234 49 23,311 36 14,927,103 191,176 78,317 12 1,768,856 21,113 8,555 199, 699 Germany ..,^ Great Britain Holland 29,813 4,264 1,377 Gj!eat Britain United States Other cbun tries. . . Total 2,879 United States 352, 220 35,426 2,062,424 240,559 1,526,634 321," 806 822,624 172,421 1,139,750 238, 034 Paint in oU (kin) : Total » l.,^9,225 132,051 17,450,577 2,060,800 29,730,048 2,099,982 8,330 4,826 105,896 170,035 35,256 53,890 588,677 313,063 175,307 88,186 4-14,141 290, 603 10,920 126,115 77,477 3,193 France 14,680 65,923 1,926,830 3,150 10, 880 Glycerin (kin): Germany 13,412 1,954,686 17,035 2,397 1,270 3,281 275,504 1,842 1,137 190 8 250 9,^6 Great Britain Holland United States Other countries . . . Total 1,459,530 195,036 14,704 1,317 1,089 300 222,973 'Great Britain 9,824 4,>095 1,186 31,720 9,372 593 other countries .. . 423 146 1,997,160 286,783 1,483,673 197,610 2,020,852 238 783 .27B,354 89,293 333,460 .272,866 745,664 206,785 Paints for vessel's base (Idn): 3,333 1,757 40, 279 456,699 771 36,575 960 567 19,091 201,615 261 14,917 5,766 2, .580 3,100 25,886 12,831 313,940 8,270 15,606 jEhosphorus, amor- phous (kin): 6,804 32,497 16,962 101,606 4,165 7,962 ■ 42,005 21,754 039,660 4,741 2,062 France 3,695 48,090 21,340 125,225 58,412 26,368 159,854 37,272 3,072 159,029 12,191 52,124 4,181 225,049 16,896 Germany 10,111 265,912 6,450 40,569 1,608 3,748 110,121 2,911 li,506 750 2,226 Germanv . . . Great Britain 110,498 Gieat Britain 3,677 United States 5,077 Other countries . . . 227 342 Total Total 194,882 244,978 162,034 216,124 211,564 298,252 539,414 237,403 319,406 131,618 379,699 127,227 2332 COMMEEOIAL JAPAF. [Dscembbb, Principal Imports into Japan from Various Foreign Countries in each Year from 1898 to 1900— Continued. ARTICLES AND COUNTRIES WHENCE IM- PORTED. Window glass (all kinds) (100 sq. feet) : Belgium France Germany Great Britain Other countries . . Total Beam, pease, and pulse (picul): British India China Corea French India Russian Asia United States Other countries . . Total 1900 Quanti- ties. 153, 765 4,075 9,692 167,570 Rice (picul): British India. China . Corea Dutch India French India . . . Siam..> Other countries . Total Seeds, cotton (kin) : China Other countries . . Total Seeds, sesame (kin): British India China Corea French India Other countries.. Total. Wheat (kin): Australia Corea Great Britain United States Other countries-. Total 22,350,397 Hides, bull, ox, cow, and buffalo (kin) Australia British India.;..; China Corea t France French India Great Britain Hongkong Russia Russian Asia United States Other countries. . 479 818, 640 885,056 3,317 182 68 Values. Yen 871,806 24,136 56, 731 244 952, 919 1,362 2, 190, 642 2,615,468 8,646 1,178 468 1899 Quanti- ties. Values. 226, 624 2,500 5,063 9,019 2 Yen. 1,165,480 12,323 26,423 52, 332 17 243,208 1,256,576 1,707,742 4,817,767 249, 344 83, 998 1,131,787 403 726,859 94,530 58 2, 286, 979 48,"944,085 2,954 48,946,9 214,570 1,688,479 26,961 3,930,010 4, 339, 846 8,182,533 457,450 12, 370, 022 547 973, 747 327, 673 4, 694, 166 1,816 2,739,752 284,178 200 9, 021, 536 739, 817 9,990 182, 884 1,634 194, 509 11,993 2,365,241 701,807 204 5S4 36, 730 6,666,097 2, 110, 846 681 1,863 5,768 232 3,080,786 53, 827 60,323 436, 716 956,142 143,675 '61,608,801 I 5, 875 61,614,676 143,260 132, 734 15, 502 400,829 14 692,341 Total. Leather, sole (kin) : Australia British America . British India France French India Germany Great Britain United States;... Other countries. . Total Leather, other (kin) Australia Belgium British India China France French India Germany Great Britain Hongkong United States Other countries . . lotal. 7,171 116,203 .335,612 ,642,476 153,993 250,748 84, 965 16,324 30, 934 32,548 26,688 2, 696, 662 128,998 4,913 243,513 3,697 13,323 23,435 1,066,578 2,948 J, 487,425 -1, 1, 874, 17, 6, 20, 63, 80, 16, 100, 2,087 28,354 -66,967 406,593 • 52,821 47,283 28,820 2,316 5,006 12,113 4,277 656, 643 75,760 2,996 99,165 2,461 4,426 16,308 782, 862 984, 797 3,163 552,257 10,432 16,888 17,096 131,630 168,156 13,544 186,865 1,423 726, 114 3,564,619 53, 993 42,155 200 5, 822, 110 174,507 231, 625 1, 689, 909 1898 Quanti- ties. 143,033 1,606 1,030 40,832 186, 401 1,993,832 406,861 1,481 -20 5,904,583 1,172,300 5,056 345 2, 406, 607 2, 663, 087 967,216 649, 570 3,354,095 510, 007 21 814, 162 71 814,233 30,042 172, 880 3,208 1/ 13 4,377,081 2,668,20' 1,174,401 1,101,183 395,009 990 2,064,206 2,040 63,501 689, 318 1, 649, 528 108,928 635,070 31,907 15,858 1,472 11,186 6,650 3, 104, 458 52, 961 8,164 492,487 4,047 9,088 3,954 2,841 535, 376 1,165 207, 87; 71,764 14,697 27 86,489 564 11,455 140,323 408, 199 35,248 107,411 9, 536 1,928 145 4,332 784 1,110,072 1,950 50 308, 200 28,628 4,i-~ 5,986 19,218 40,637 2,640 81,604 18 493, 219 6,445,390 969, 41:j 1,576 11,696,252 61,751,984 . 761 61,752,745 Values. Yen. 509,948 6,424 4,286 150,147 669,806 17,555 1,585 11,642,416 3,989,422 2,704,887 25,762,726 4, 114, 065 6,290 48,219,810 578,504 6 578,510 330, 562 2,099,025 127,114 13,338 97, 489 6,044 2,556,701. 116,872 2,770,766 2,039,371 1,560 12,128 237, 186 1,632,604 793,007 24,266 241,113 3,563 -2,841 65,351 10,780 2,922,936 27, 672 9,471 497,287 71 5,165 46,746 1,298 896, 514 44,195 1,168 241, 16, 10, 3, 43, 94, 1, 104, 1,528,419 71,173 .41 2,293 46,540 276,202 185,487 8,061 48,521 1,195 570 24 16,-708 2,343 687, 948 13,472 4,424 143,507 35 1,350 25,401 1,107 514,431 13,147 716, 879 -9,033 4,163 817,046 143,667 5,441 6,375 27,841 62,108 U7,g09 1,844 518,061 1,195,4271,050,211 4,573 10, 993 587,042 72,515 13,547 3,032 73, 608 142,649 140,942 1,306 ARTICLES AND COUNTRIES WHENCE IM- PORTED. Iron, pig and ingot (kin): Belgium China France Germany Great Britain United States Other countries . . . Total 2,214,989 3, 985, 537 69, 300 13, 410, 663 17,877,025 13, 071 4,891 37,675,476 Iron, bar and rod (kin): Austna , Belgium France Germany Great Britain Holland Sweden and Nor- way United States Other countries . . . 8.52, 010 47, 847, 634 2,231 13,335,132 29,542,760 Total. Rails (kin): Belgium France Germany Great Britain . . . United States . . . Other countries . Total. Fittings of rail ( kin) : Belgium France Germany Great Britain . . United States . . Total. Iron, plate and sheet Belgium France Germany Great Britain Holland Sweden and Nor- way United States Other countries . . . Total 1900 Quanti- ties. 368,630 1,018,381 8,376 2, 732, 823 11, 057, 607 20,537,073 73,032,447 107,369,860 10,038,659 13,274,861 32, 782 1,020,017 53,970,673 69,091 929,106 406 69,296,935 Iron , corrugated and galvanized sheet (^kin): Belgium Germany Great Britain United States Other countries . . . Total. Iron, galvanized- sheet (kin): Belgium Germany Great Britain Other countries . . Total. 1 tubes Iron pip (tin): Belgium Germany Great Britain United -States Other countries.. Total. 45,603 143,970 7,500,082 16,410 3,433 Values. Yen. 58,446 71,066 1,536 329,631 602, 066 220 43 962,910 51,162 2,498,803 248 768.018 1,864; 483 25,304 54,784 601 5,243,407 123,972 562,234 906, 763 3,161,399 4,763,370 14,956 1,624 25,818 167,366 494,583 704, 349 1899 Quanti- ties. 943, 7,708, 252, 1,920, 31, 655, 2, 925, 45, 407, 302 37, 289, 603 642,421 4,693,320 16,041,462 1, 664, 23, 196, 781, 845,736 2,245 60,710 3,106,878 5,504 60,446 21 4, 080, 542 4,215 13,358 761,766 1, 290 7,709,498 781,121 80,956 328,708 11,129,093 11,538,757 17,909,102 198,937 14,067,980 15,344,076 15,790 47,535,886 Iron nails (kin) : Belgium France Germany Great Britain United States Other countries... Total. 121,631 7,753 9,172,474 1,584,271 21,330,544 2,232 276, 557 588, 615 1,878 59,433,866 613, 153 116, 624 78,502 4, 464, 697 7,381,866 12,654,842 26,351 1,001 ■ 4,906 463,208 454, 974 950,439 10,498,346 403,484 1,965,137 10,414,060 34,773 44,002,603 8,830 34,976 1,279,509 34,376 5,744,530 Values. Yen. 18,930 146,466 8,906 43,760 684,968 62,520 966, 543 2,603,675 24,147 6,754 2,916 171,719 229,616 435, 054 1,773 166 474 33,504 22,280 58,199 515,017 30,864 97, 712 1,545,244 1, — 29, 761 2,220,414 433, 836 1,260,000 164,456 5, 623, 943 76,622,841 22,651,949 12,288 105,669,311 1898 Quanti- ties. ., 890, 354 ,049,034 I,957j827 ., 266, 040 196, 944 432, 811 ,836,349 7,879 120£36,742 120,154,405 266,476 662,641 812,193 3,458,665 10,653,940 15,853,916 4,946,504 1, 627, 211 29,232,105 38,633,736 2,078 609, 636 5,778,906 511,715 1, 323, 315 413,375 40,668 1,186,815 1,340,020 814 2,981,693 11,718 1,080 623,613 121,109 1,422,655 32,218,906 2,181: 81,296 419 9,413,562 5,311 9,600,687 4,064,979 13, 815 11,667,579 4,698,793 - -9,079 20,454,245 88,089 8,944 11,458,641 807,808 26,687,257 8,254 30 893,509 ■ 802 -902,596 132,790 2, 557,427 260,477 -- 446! 2,824,349 3,567 Values. Yen. 5,983 19,311 6,818 73, 329 ,048,726 226,915 357 1,381,442 1,654,609 40,736 4.58, 617 1,825,697 7,701 20,613 53,686 242 4,061,805 ,75,487 9,678 134,988 a!l,802 1,609,731 82 2, 631, 721 14, 535 37,128 45,017 189,794 339,195 625, 671 180,437 63,184 1,080,384 81, 726 122 1,405,855. 141,544 5,602,473 5,744,017 16,800 40,604 6,060,847 6,118,251 613, 834 65B, 865 441, 03:^ 791,284 24,7tH -953, 436'l46, 527,770 6,902 376,066 382,968 688 2,643 461,139 464, 466 335,818 23,011 734,524 238,838 747 1,332,940 6,876| 1,153' 657, 317, 60,524 1, 497, 560 i 38,950,739 2,223,431| 219,10^ 7,.';0! 2,590,218 487, U05 20,658,68' 13, 212 887 130,862 27,629 977,815 35 23,963,208|1,160,342 1901.] COMMEEOIAL JAPAN. 2333 Pbincipal Imports into Japan prom Various Foreign Countries in each Year prom 1898 to 1900— Continued. ARTICLES AND COUNTRIES WHENCE IM- PORTED. 1900 1890 1898 ARTICLES AND COUNTRIES WHENCE IM- PORTED. 1900 1899 1898 Quanti- ties. Values. Quanti- ties. Values. Quanti- ties. Values. Quanti- ties. Values. Quanti- ties. Values. Quanti- ties. Values. Iron screws (kin) : 4,552 74,751 1,668,952 76,737 1,024 Yen. 1,127 11,801 200,016 14,628 221 8,588 99,594 506,736 127,799 4,233 Yen. 1,364 7,702 58,076 18,673 370 9,588 13,639 1,105,340 488,614 Yen. 860 3,414 116,974 28,360 Mercury (kin): Yen. Yen. 2,253 65,610 1,125 79,646 112 Yen. 2,778 Great Britain 99,774 562 67,876 146,752 918 111,027 109,098 2,812 42,280 166,551 3,430 59,031 76,1315 1,012 United States United States Other countries 96,053 143 Total Total 1,826,016 227,795 746,949 86,187 1,617,081 148,610 168,212 258, 698 154,190 219,012 148,746 176,303 Tinned plate or sheet (kin): Belsium 201,477 89,380 7,420,554 120 21,140 4,055 806,889 63 •rin, block, ingot, and slab (kin) : 3,322 579,919 1,382 219,966 76 6,663,667 20,062 2,540 6 409,673 1,479 263 British India 639,169 20,878 455,922 13,181 538,706 23,651 14,407 31,933 327,681 11,401 4,391 17,086 Great Britain 6,577,627 75 669,916 6 United States Great Britain Philippine Islands Other countries . . . 5,080 3,998 6,683 10,012 2,413 7,661,531 832,149 6,677,602 669,923 6,686,344 411,421 Totol 1,569 726 Iron, wire, and small 948,530 1,711,741 1,493 3,339,481 9,853,398 699,806 5,080 65,938 99,263 446 258, 395 627,323 57,109 340 117,647 2,431,952 76,396 1,263,221 3,805,130 1,015,803 820 6,944 105,362 6,040 72,357 176,171 44,685 20 202,280 m4,979 'i,'663,'422 88,301 124,961 11,750 5,741 "■'92,' 903 3,986 6,641 Total 666,127 473,103 610,265 361,286 599,936 227,257 rod (kin): Zinc, block, ingot, and slab (kin): Austria 10 451,301 156,700 88,106 26,910 3,997,612 318,059 9,348 10 59,104 16,239 9,362 2,782 560,416 47,145 1,018 72,199 France 6,601 Great Britain United States Other couDitries.. . 75,203 283,333 12,028 29,750 British India China 205,424 17,224 French India Germany 65,479 1,117,022 175,696 2,203 6,766 182,531 29,305 224 Total 16,459,529 1,108,809 8,710,969 410,582 2,073,943 119,923 474,830 120,781 13,820 48,417 Great Britain Other countries . . . Total 9 094 Telegraph wire(kin) 127,006 1,109,235 2,436,139 3,604,642 672,169 5,342,366 8,920 96,402 173,292 324,888 67,085 434,984 209,781 1,644,712 1,869,910 3,328,239 1,924,152 3,012,727 12,749 113,278 136,205 222, 480 129,540 202,945 653 667,939 35,362 5,047,946 686,080 1,718,936 269,606 887,064 80,991 Zinc, sheet (in- cludes No. 2) (kin): Germany Great Britain United States 4,879,653 2,466,395 126, 059 247,334 119,487 6,657 1,296,047 12,080 2,536,236 1,267,505 36 221,256 2,348 441,117 217,996 12 1,429,362 268,172 266,324 13,291,457 1,095,674 11,989,521 817,200 8,140,046 408,841 Total France Materials of hridges and buildings 34,303 2,900,338 4,418,825 12,807,882 4,132 309,901 409,732 1,156,547 850,004 1,159,396 715,957 666,926 77,976 107,058 56,609 44,198 4,767,914 2,411,237 10,460,488 14,097,147 282,391 216,184 628,787 781,198 Germany Great Britain Other countries . . . 2,293,775 1,030,901 2,692 444,327 195,071 355 2,917,357 923,324 398, 2i6 125,830 (kin): Belgium •5,110,902 882,731 4,756,730 907,926 4,107,005 556,442 Germany 011,kerosene(galls.): Dutch India Russian Asia United States Total Great Britain United States 5,466,829 8,861,761 6,519 976,519 1,378,343 1,340 20,161,348 1,880,313 3,392,283 285,841 31,736,786 1,908,561 Total 10,626,642 45,993 1,276,286 6,096 12,681,319 682,349 Steel, other than 11,271 32,384 59,238 1,561,230 4,234,870 1,168,780 2,154 2,498 7,694 126,466 909,029 100,539 9,596 150,958 51,418 836,494 6,168,401 466,199 1,204 8,419 2,813 59, 633 818,114 34,254 537 705,054 225,443 1,287,740 6,651,520 481,739 25,980 354,508 232 121 35,012 14,386 74,267 793,129 33,004 1,794 12,623 14 mild steel (kin): 14,333,109 2,355,203 10,671,635 1,281,381 12,581,319 682,349 Oil, kerosene, in cans (galls.): 313,630 6,319,620 35,116,952 52,070 1,153,170 6,431,626 3,735,720 3,622,600 47,966,816 Great Britain Sweden and Nor- 508,298 Russian Asia United States Total 5,042,605 48,466,710 1,033,673 10,773,775 461,457 5,910,774 United States ■46,059 6,440 436,797 30,258 53,509,216 11,807,448 41,760,202 6,636,767 55,324,136 6, 870, 529 OU, linseed (kin): Great Britain United States Other countries'. . . Total 890,118 89,192 6,633 192,695 18,003 1,451 677,650 97,086 474,360 8,077 Total 7,113,832 1,163,821 8,118,863 954,699 9,732,753 964,354 63,382 Brass tubes (kin) : 2,662 26,116 268,694 3,203 151,414 1,013 1,407 14,160 144,902 1,555 79,764 381 i,"76o 278 958 Germany 4,628 113,071 2,123 59,731 12,384 377,228 4,917 152,067 985,843 212,150 579,250 97,364 482,437 64,341 Great Britain OM, lubricating 8,606 11,263 7,273 18,939 5,621,581 1,326 1,058 2,654 1,603 1,298 282,597 171 United States Other countries... 60,483 27,418 28,704 4,623 10,168 819 Total 453,102 242,172 178,082 89,273 422,939 167,962 Germany 20,017 42,483 29,292 11,386,533 196 2,670 6,652 1,014 615,622 68 15,048 167,266 7,013 9,429,074 6,719 2,607 Great Britain Russia 16,762 849 Copper tubes (kin): 833 16,439 5,068 17,506 238,262 10,917 65,734 1,275 10,251 8,046 10,879 152,609 6,657 34,654 J United States Other countries . . . Total 380,122 3,481 5,762 40,116 62,195 6,390 75,043 2,241 3,908 19,468 50,697 4,165 44,061 1,101 16,423 2,661 269,645 1,327 6,509 1,779 7,510 1,176 121,149 624 2,808 332 Germany 11,477,620 624,828 6,668,888 289,394 9,625,117 401,343 Great Britain Paraffin wax (kin): Germany 23,013 410,124 3,074,394 260 4,059 66,605 440,858 35 2,290 672,440 3,178,465 76 United States 242 Great Britain United States Other countries . . . Total 100,926 3,133,408 9,136 277,670 41,334 Total 344,749 219,373 192,98? 124,433 298, 344 133,601 228,767 4 Lead, pig, ingot, and 8,096,314 731,880 3,445,386 593,045 182,234 169,220 1,781 21,191 741,246 430 273,691 48,782 16,226 14,439 166 1,843 56,979 25 3,042,911 219,093 3,607,793 511,659 3,234,334 286,805 3,753,260 270,34* slabTkin): Paper, cigarette: 65,614 3,194 124,586 30,282 41 834 17,928 707 78,759 20,358 7,785 1,587 British India 17,611 i,373 178,428 14 281,948 10,787 1 18,444 8,625 Belgium 76,935 39,796 1,874,672 19,882 5,563 8,902 182,822 1,609 France 67,964 47,356 Germany ;:::.'.::: 1,675,458 7,559 116,416 460 4,939 United States 331 Total Total 10,125,210 927,152 5,154,633 412,155 5,186,318 366,202 224,553 127,126 1 129,216 i No. 6- -26 23 B4 COMMERCIAL JAPAN. [Deckmbeb, PkINCIPAI, IlIPOBTS INTO JAPAN FEOM VARIOUS FOKKIGN CoUNTfilES IN EACH YeAR FROM 1898 TO 1900^— CoatiuUed^ ARTICLES AND COUNTRIES WHENCE IM- PORTED. 1900 Quanti- tiea> Paper, glazed, lancy (kin): Aiistria Belgium Prance Germany Great Britain Sweden and Nor- way United States Other countries . . . Total. Paper, match (Imi): Austria Belgium France Germany Great Britain . . * . . Holland Sweden and Nor- way Other countries . .. Total. Paper, packing (kin): Austria Belgium Germany Great Britain Holland Italy Sweden and Nor- way Switzerland United States Other countries . . 543,288 170, 021 5,532 1,555,508 98,417 39,113 38,568 2,450,447 Values. Yen. 64,000 37, 914 1,259 216,997 12,326 4,122 5,618 342,23' 317, 196 2,039,576 16,900 399,810 2,773,482 Total. Paper, printing (kin): Austria Belgium British America . . France Germany Great Britain .. Holland ,. Sweden and Noiv- way United States Other countries . . . Total. 19,160,341 Pencils (gross): Germany Great Britain .. United States.. Other countries . .. Total. Sugar (picul) : - Australia Anstria BritLsh. India. . . China Dutch India . . . Germany Great Britain . . Holland Hongkong Philippine Islands Other countries - . Total;. Sugar, refined (all kinds) (picul); Australia Austria Belgium British America. . British India China Dutch India Trance Germany Great Britain — Holland Hongkong Philippine Islands Russia United States . . Other countries Total 1,953,99915; 1,270,842 26,024 3,022,562 60,990 60,891 5,508 538,480 45,645 13,700 5,044,652 4,662,744 3| 139, 989 2,932,447 5,794,897 23, 702 125,547 2,481,015 13,395 36,767 312 144,037 4,212 8,657 2,118 655,996 446, 574 74, 805 120, 623 358,675 420,120 2,091,786 307 430,505 13,969 1,055 88 1,417 171 404, 313 1,692 1, 097, 324 156 2,333 28,032 178, 487 "'i,'243 32,395 1899 Quanti- ties. Valnes. 1898 130,019 137, 703 19, OSS 903,980 150, T49 29,669 14,978 1,386,783 240,159 123,499 3,297 329, 869 7,706 4,100 1, — 57,927 6,151 1,541 535,119 351,761 289,928 789, 108 1,514 11,900 193,296 2,036,844 135,-7 39,171 18,851 1,464.932 88,748 209, 639 9,775 1,966,909 169,920 29,676 42,046 631 1' 242,274 21. 54, 10, 2,758, 2,427, 479, 792, 1,749, 2,713, U, 007, 633 1,671 3,049,181 101, 024 461 8,871 2,227 2,938,987 12,630 9,448,859 954 18,013 9,655 7 528,975 79,067 2,071,850 51,706 39,482 6,075 146,204 19,668 19,520 3,606 2,966,143 Yen. 15,947 26, 716 3,964 129,173 19,955 2,789 2, 201,434 10, 663 2,627 1,601 130,578 5,657 20, 739 172, 629 47,196 11,368 197,757 5,794 2,168 1,176 14,687 2,922 3,122 Qnantl- ties. 45,794 153,647 1,141,755 168, 311 19, 628 2,686 Values. Yen. 5,016 28,227 ' 137, 464 23,589 3,153 825 1,534,631 193,277 90,653 39; 561 29,819 ,896,331 100,376 206,940 65, 162 2,428,845 287,022 1,230,949 1,371,297 27,894 950,386 2,160,716 25,642 20,435 1,402,793 7,190,113 28,726 9,661 37,150 2SS 75,663 18,018 1,041 670,458 87,198 6,'"" 18,234 133,317 375,215 292, 013 1,602,184 107,146 18 49 8 2,032 224 251, 068 37,574 169 730,927 53 9 289 113,973 154,695 2,626 91,024 272, 336 2,r~~ 1,822 109,402 53,187 15,215 30,545 99,344 93,529 5,375 2,880,266 519,502 42,989 118,520 852,223 1,908,021 1, 939, 8,359,735 93, 633 16,322 2,190,003 229,765 31, 531 39,729 9,580 83,185 2,694,142 517 765,254 137 365 68 14,846 2,377 1,863,452 300,146 1,643 6,203,444 396 114 3,537 1,975,898 2,160,609 21,270 8,254,889 4,178,654 11,602 39,717 15, 118, 979 31,761,9812,283,214 60,723 5,116 17,357 83,754 5,858 2,257 2,323 140,897 6,327 11,978 5,648 175,192 7,309 •1,910 189,205 19, K7 1,668 3,131 1,256 7,016 136 230,799 139, 209 194, 795 2,2^ 605,726 451,398 690 2,480 886, 607 21 104,453 11, 993 14,869 740 132,056 68 527,865 121,620 4.56 420 70,833 2,034,258 181,808 659, 642 107,150 981,235 2,825,564 718,317 1,619,890 7, 333, 699 118 3,470 5,498 3,278 84,374 40,035 238 791,438 3,118 1,786,726 IS, 701 636 11,526 1, 129, 633 9, 156, 303 2, 749, 156 21,105,594 2,115 2,260 752 24,050 38,579 27,146 572,798 324, 934 1,978 5,266,624 22,003 14,586,871 141,472 8,300 90,084 AETICtES AND COUNTRIES WHENCE IM- PORTBB. Cotton, raw, ginned (picul) : Australia British India China Dutch liadia Egypt French India Mexico Siam United States Other countries . ... Total Cotton, raw, in the seed (picul): British India China Korea Dutch India French India Siam Total. Cotton yams (kin) British India France Germany.... Great Britain . . . Switzerland Other countries . . . Total Cotton threadsfkin) France Germany. . . .- Great BritaiiQ Other countries . . . Total Cotton flannels (sq.. yards): Austria Belgium France Germany Great Britain Holland Italy Russia Switzerland United States Total. Cotton prints (sq. yards) : France Germany Great Britain Holland Russia Russian Asia Switzerland United States Other countries . . . Total laoo Quanti- ties 739,07317,686,130 548,780 U, 955, 834 44,889 17,648 50 396 1,112, 2 1, 466, 621 362, 253 1,400 7,565 27,010,134 2,463,672 58,500,001 27,774 70,061 56 1, 39,640 6,383 144,412 30,239 6 6,841 9,010,637 3,189 76 9, 050, 988 1,000 114 230, 083 42 231,239 Values. Yen. 167,795 492,665 244 7,906 266,094 36,9ffi 971,627 11,175 15 9,465 7,020,295 2,065 30 7,043,046 2,539 209 330,231 51 333,031 29,278 58, 262 89,040 5,273,525 368, 160 508, 312 395, 190 251 6,672,018 52,652 108, 628 13,772,347 30,771 40,455 2,4® 86,967 32 618 Cotton satins (sq. yards) : Belgium Germany Great Britain Italy Russia Othej countries ... Total. Cotton velvets (sq. yards): France , Germany Great Britain United States Total. Shirtings, gray (sq.- yards) : France Germanjr. Great Britain Holland ,. United States Total. 4, 25,813 16,691,936 4,572 480 16,727,383 211 226,091 1,576,277 961 1,803,570 166 69,814, '23,'490 6,973 12,486 9,216 1,209,751 81, 766 96, 873 99, 248 1,515,408 10,949 18, 103 1,949,101 4,850 9,804 500 9,300 6 U5 2,002,732 1,354 6,540 !,S53,112 1,451 179 3, 662, 637 1899 Quanti- ties; 2,2)4,374 227,138 119 34, 519 23,086 39,165,995 4, 350, 147 2, 222 982, 726 419, 615 1,044 850, 617 3 18,097 16,476,899 51 3,340,90061,365,754 24,895 24,338 585 7,896 60, 390 13, :w 75,599 3,881 685 8,130,482 21,314 5,730 613 4,935,666 8,210,6«4,963,3ffi 50 1,376 304,188 30 305,644 74,240 16,250 362 2,193,604 847,464 126,815 454,902 5,206 3, 728, 332 162,308 710,904 1,046 864,497 12 20 5,555,116 2,855 69, 839; 980 5,568,004 22,840 20, 169 10,213,995 69,820 99,681 5,087 170,886 14,378 4,738 to, 621, 494' 8,401 4,799,341 3,705 42 4,811,489 3,75l 81,521 839,729 ^5,004 Values. Yen. 142, 810 167,.12* 3,260 47,089 390, 317 94,360 844,961 15,809il57|8,500,221 6 15,929,9918,547,588 I 129 1,723 352, 706 47 364, 608 17,973 3,066 93 470,063 173,269 22, 656 107, 025 i,r- 1,528 797,426 4,627 3,334 1,369,230 11,^8 24,854 1,096 20,169 2,131 1,172 1,438,245 3,812 944, 764 1,673 10 1898 Quanti- ties. 204 1, 406, 072 276,425 Yen. 3,538 24784,408 4,909,066 12,1 31,137 197 770, 174 3,555 14,751,199 23,415 2,497,247 45,410,467 9,664 19,167 24,286 2,824 56,339 105, 915 1,9% 12,900 19, 019 419, 730 438, 749 54 2,376 1, 371, 930 1, 328-, 36, 367, 9B8 1, 13,326 6,890 3,128,098 144,^90 "iii,'587 9,569,266 Values. 346,497 588,776 53, 236 112, 032 2,140 39 14»,4.52 18,016 333,914 34,639 3,507 9,213 21, 068 337, 701 358, 770 6 586 279, 849 236, 533 5,075 75,855 185 3,637 1,051 602,781 15,683 3,690 223,102 28,969 9,064,36S1,1(B,707 29, 709 'ii,'664 47 1,176,789 1,926 47,988 346,225 396, 141 ^053,580 3,575,190 52,053,5803,575,190 31,366 8,792,5491,638,243 349 8,824,26*1,645,229 10,074 *7,285 1,959,339 2,016,6^ 86,162 56,466 146 3,310 23,833 786,136 813,280 6,223 3,263 68,724,1424,366,305 33,73a 2,074 63, 439 5, 641 08, 963, 942,4, fe2, 509 190L] COMMEEOIAL JAPAK. 2335 Pbincipal IiiPOETS INTO JAPAN PROM Vaeious Fokeigh Counthies IN EACH Yeak feom 1898 TO 1900 — Continued. AETICLES AND COUNTRIES WHENCE IM- PORTED. 1900 1899 1898 ARTICLES AND COUNTRIES WHENCE IM- PORTED. 1900 1899 1808 Quanti- ties. Values. Quanti- ties. Values. Quanti- ties. Values. Quanti- ties. Values. Quanti- ties. Values. Quanti- ties. Values. Shirtings, wMte (sq. yards): 2,424 12,105,876 647,272 93,150 321 Yen. 501 1,250,610 59,241 14,700 88 10,988 4,657,405 225,236 ■ fil,188 883 Yen. 1,233 489,463 19,101 7,789 219 46,974 7,829,202 8,000 9,107 225 Yen. 3,780 702,781 703 1,026 55 Serges (sq. yards): 29,530 52,881 292,029 1,034,338 49,196 7,903 16 Yen. 23,036 34,231 196,511 867,847 ■ 35,020 4,758 11 Yen. Yen. Germany France 73 23,041 91,181 2,196 92 15,556 61,875 1,040 GreatBritaln Germany , 11, C.S8 66,487 4,048 Holland Great Britain Holland 32,333 United States Other countries... Italy Other countries . . . 988 776 Total 12,849,043 1,325,141 4,956,700 617, 808 7,893,508 708,348 1,465,893 1,162,418 117, 479 79, 340 68,175 36,981 Shirtings, twilled {sq. yards) : 21,084 2,622,759 19,774 3,012 333,977 2,038 7,9U 326,336 1,115 36,003 63,593 865,650 7,793 101,113 Woolen and worsted clothii(sq.yards): Austria 32, 171 117,579 30,624 936,967 1,394,070 45,275 19 87 41,578 149,055 37,555 966,944 1,733,863 41,627 36 201 2,642 51,125 44,974 622, 393 1,236,463 18,122 6 897 2,534 52,608 52,607 616,592 1,266,508 12,499 4 842 1,712 19, 798 79,187 1,786,457 1,415,200 4,123 1,061 630 Great Britain 2,301 Holland 22,012 61,065 1,379,144 1,334,309 3,223 ■ 1, 127 419 Switzerland 7,333 24,731 1,981 1,210 4,468 329 United States Other countries . . . Great Britain Total 2,663,617 339,028 334,247 37,118 963, 288 114,905 -Other countries . . . Total Turkey-red camhries (sq. yards) : 32,000 3,844,197 335,720 3,512 395,095 35,286 2,556,792 2,969,762 1,976,622 2,004,198 3,308,168 2, 803, 607 Woolen and worsted cloths,inpartof wool (sq. yards) : Great Britain Switzerland 3,121,399 166,630 405,487 19,284 3,452,834 77,845 408,830 8,135 2,952 61,435 41,255 343,032 3,961,693 24,232 2,669 47,273 30,556 304,209 2,028,769 20,288 3,068 16,796 968 144,468 918,656 2,932 18,069 854 93,560 413, 196 4,124 Total 3,288,029 424,771 3,530,679 416,966 4,211,917 433,894 1,523 Victoria lawns (sq. 4,151,833 281,718 2,699,280 13,808 159,079 834 1,819,737 104,096 France 1,674 156, 178 863,900 947 yaids): 78,750 362,522 Great Britain Other countries .. . Great Britain Holland Italy 3i627 251 2,733 206 Total 4,151,833 281,718 2,713,088 169, 913 1,819,737 104,096 Other countries . 500 400 Total Wool (kin): 1,117,416 568,640 62,671 999,513 760,219 824,661 36,738 282,961 1,325,943 428,813 365, 056 3,475,133 941,117 520,584 151,732 810,616 1,120,232 63,470 217, 147 689, 628 4,728 09,902 341,195 337,879 4,620 722,881 65,941 77,441 205,425 1,310 66,099 250,474 260,355 2,887 4,424,499 2,433,757 1,087,824 531,653 1,016,376 444,144 Cocoons (kin) ; China 589,813 1,427 6,159 2,600 609,594 1,189 5,113 2,714 804,219 3,543 639,951 2,271 458,443 159 British India 211,901 206 China Korea Egypt France FrajT^f^ 101,683 1,070,506 633,849 156,055 1,258,660 600,403 275, 147 1,122,868 698,357 60,192 315,903 1,065,850 494,993 23,629 Switzerland Other countries Genu any 15 15 Total United States . 598,999 618, 611 807,762 642, 222 458,617 212,123 20 1 Raw silk ,458,886.51 Ym. 2,638,239.67 15,875,256.39 8,057,879.89' 6,977,080.41 8v 725, 488. 56 14,175,541.76 10,403,172.71. 41,028,462.04 79,180,100.92 111,777,679.89 83,573,824.67 86,148,703.26 Yen. 62, 182; 33 58,226.14 46,597.78 i ^137.22 69,542.74 llS,.5a4.03 177,260; 96 214,918.40 I4S„415.50 202,010; 16 338,476.40 655,135.81 Yen. 2,780,422.00 15i 933,482. 53 8,104,477.67 7,02Bi217.63 8,796,.Q31.30 14,286,135.79 10,580,453.67 41,243,380.44 79, ^6, 525. 42. m, 979s 720. 06 83, 9-12, 301. 87 86i803,a39.07 Yen. 66,103,766.60 1890.. 81,728,580.60 62, 927, 268. 38 1391 1892. 71, 326, 079. 60- 1893 88, 257, 171. 71 lB94i 117,481,955,46 1895 „ 129,260,578.28 1896'. 171,674,474.25 1887 219,300,77L64 1898-. •29,387.45 12, 465. 85 18,289.07 277, 502, 156. 51 18B9i. 220, 401, 925. 99 1980. 287, 261, 845-. 5a « Dates before the year 1898 are unpiocuiable. Total Value; op Commodities, Imported into Japan feom Various Fokeign Countkibs in each Calendak Year from 1892 to 1900. [From official reports o{ tlie Japanese Qovemmeii,t.] COHNTHIES WHENCE IM- PORTED. ! 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 Australia 1 Sihier yea. , 272,787.15 10,265.48 951,637.45 30,754.46 7, 662, 803. 81 12,509,410.42 6, 157. 68 3,620,500.44 ^Pver yen. 319,034.26 24,208.88 936,000.83 16,629.04 8, 679, 029; 05 17, 095, 974. 88 2,143.07 3,306,277.29 Yen. 534,763.35 19,819.70 , 1,201,1'28.7S 46,394.83 10,560,448.31 17„51],506.67 3,881.76 4,348,047.61 Yen. ' 1,031,725.05 25,121.18 ' 2,066,244.73 13,717.77 12,001,810.52 22,986,144.47 8, 319. 95 5,188,134.76 3,382,672.66 12,233,158.88 45,172,110.85 . 2,163.44 61,535.28 8,078,189.52 148,465,18 2,926,399.73 3,377.94 1,220,744.56 7,175.24 / 46, 045. 97 t 1,371,612.45 143,095.4!2 47,148.08 208,335.23 1,040,211.52 5,584.39 9,276,360.35 574,973.22 Yen. 835, 046. 40 40,400.13 3, 106, 094. 38 51,524.83 22,517,424.51 21,344,521.22 14, 240, 92 7,682,34G.70 1,673,337.70 17,1.83,953.40 , 69,2.51,780.28 9,926.80 62, 799. 21 9, 133, 777. 66 182,923.83 5, 118, 925. 05 5,312.06 1,804,914.41 15,309.32 97,955.92 1,318,893.01 203,276.11 86,495.57 117,400.60 2,534,217.39 328.38 16,373,419.85 907,819.56 Yen. 897,050.20 86,943.06 3,173,218.44 129,129.12 29, 775, 930; 09 29,265,845.35 7, 880. 28 5,147,691.51 9, 525, 553. 20 IS, 143, 279. 61 66,406,266.47 1,414.08 57,992.40 12, 027, 197. 39 213,266.62 8,864,359.55 288.74 2,675,300.34 24,025.48 47,932.93 1,859,653.76 1,196, 98& 90 93,088.85 85,279.91 2,55.5,90.4.80 8,226.06 27,030,637.56 1,007,655.04 Yen. 1,403,436.08 591,325.94 4, 316, 703. 24 156,989.46 40, 764, 244. 96 30,523,860.78 14,182.21 6,979,982.66 26,668,444.34 25,610,961.70 62,707,572.95 23,950.86 242,868.98 15,904,466.62 385,818.86 4,796,032.29 2,984.12 3,294,182.83 18,709.92 116,290.60 1,694,169.84 4,173,609.62 130,990.07 138,546.39 3,498,309.98 17, 288. 05 40,001,097.52 3,325,135.16 Yen. 1,708,670.41 1,250,217.44 6,416,809.87 182,018.34 43,883,885.62 28, 687, 730. 80 3,103.82 5,768,180.31 4,489,326.38 17, 613, 191. 07 44,836,993.86 5, 022. 74 914,405.47 7,338,45.4.82 236,988.12 4,976,167.35 2,438.18 2,383,873.59 33,106.41 49, 123. 35 4,534,119.77 757, 029. 54 101,718.49 120,663.49 1,6,76,669.28 26,852.89 38,215,894.42 5,198,471.95 Yen. 2, 455, 935. 35 Austria 4, 582, 476. 87 7, 949, 253. 60 British America Britlfefe India" China - 316, 669. 29 23,516,360.66 29, 968, 740. 02 10, 296. 41 8,096,819.49 3, 632, 642. 65 Germany Great Britain 6,375,048.23 20,789,332.07 647.54 17,600.13 6,.985v722.57 67,679.96 3,046,339.96 6,632.28 475,122.58 6,049.94 1 835,395.12 4,381.88 33,155. 84 49,816.24 713,660.16 813.72 5,998,053.56 867,820.83 7,318,133.61 27,929,628.47 3,689.87 32,618.97 8,268,071.13, 86,578.31 1,999,438.76 2, 065; 22 567,133.47 6,126.57 1,871,113.47 54> 390.52 48,164.95 7,679.34 669, 30.1. 19 8,992.04 6,090,408.40 2,916,340.12 7,909,542.21 42,189,873.62 6,147.78 30,173.78 8,999,7.18.18 170,339; S3, 2,183,313.19 433,32 1,698,.81S.S7 4,329; 04 1,173,774.27 618, 859-. 15 43,463,35 18,623.32 629,207.60, .3,446.24 10,982„558.44 6,594,350.54 29,199,695.93 71,638,219.71 5, 265. 36 Holland 809, 620. 04 10,659,855.18 Italy 450,106.06 8, 805, 618. 20 10,681.48 Philippine Islands .. Portugal 2,284,293.57 10, 668. 10 389,227.15 Russian Asia 5,716,705.24 5S5,'480.4O Spain 74,837.82 Sweden and Norway . Siwitzedand 330,749.85 3,012,504.52 25.00 tlnited States of America Other countries 62,761,196.48 10,157,007.35 2340 COMMEEOIAL JAPAN. [Dbcembek, Value of Commodities Exported from Japan to Various Foreign Countries in each Calendar Year from 1892 to 1900. [From official reports of the Japanese Government.] COUNTRIES TO WHICH EX- POKTED. Anstralia Austria Bel^um Britisli America i . British India China Denmark Prance French India Germany Great Britain Hawaii Holland Hongkong Italy Korea Peru Philippine Islands . . Portugal Russia Eussian Asia Siam Spain Sweden and Norway. Switzerland Turkey United States of America Other countries 1892 731,658.69 341,932.20 50,125.11 1,088,407.02 1,422,289.00 6,358,859.58 365.00 18,093,693.59 940,782.71 3,921,752.83 62,136.71 19, 550. 18 13,288,540.08 1,254,330.56 1, 410, 699. 03 1, Oil. 00 96,530.69 586,695.44 3,485.60 3,160.93 2,863.78 159, 583. 66 43, 646. 38 1,674,971.36 783,063.13 1893 Silver yen. 890,637.44 322,120.39 226,284.04 1,720,559.42 2,471,079.16 7,714,420.08 1,377.00 19,531,975.34 1,380,040.44 4, 995, 974. 46 197,522.69 140,683.20 15,688,874.71 1, 631, 907. 68 1, 301, 242. 87 821. 65 120,416.98 85.60 621,838.32 6,402.75 6,848.65 166.45 227,141.23 7,619.83 27, 739, 458. 31 1,195,295.18 1S91 Yen. 1,098,065.78 465,186.56 19,479.58 2,211,686.56 3,688,158.89 8,813,987.38 1,125.40 19,498,776.22 24, 522. 98 1,517,548.89 5, 950, 197. 94 313, 908. 17 136,871.30 16,199,480.73 2,900,389.62 2,365,111.58 220,586.84 27,594.30 992, 754. 68 2, 953. 40 52,307.11 676. 00 703,021.00 16,744.45 43,323,557.06 753, 097. 11 1895 Yen. 1,281,103.91 460,626.57 131, 944. 25 1,986,189.23 4,359,236.00 9,135,108.66 5,347.28 22,006,388.03 17,654.74 3,340,012.75 7,883,091.34 393, 689. 54 283,382.89 18,362,802.92 3, 550, 735. 95 3,831,476.96 7,180.34 194,831.66 75,222.56 1,247,523.07 7,930.44 48, 422. 63 185.00 . 467,718.11 62,215.79 54, 028, 950. 20 358, 138. 57 1896 Yen. 1,468,263.20 639, 278. 58 111,467.25 1,594,046.14 4,537,662.98 13,823,843.67 8,358.34 19,027,389.31 30,459.95 2,972,136.90 9,012,398.02 513,188.13 231, 221. 55 19,966,899.72 2,669,106.08 3,367,693.27 1, 931. 15 ■ 187,786.72 600,00 129,663.70 1,780,928.13 9,892.21 20,706.00 2,452.90 617,707.01 37,093.53 31,532,341.13 432, 400. 88 1897 Yen. 1,875,169.76 268,371.95 109,311.85 2,054,619.86 5, 563, 332. 74 21,325,065.42 - 9, 823. 69 26,213,654.45 35, 513. 09 2,207,018.41 8,481,196.69 624,179.67 261, 023. 78 25,390,293.92 2,981,889.02 6,196,572.81 7, 369. 70 186, 383. 13 650.00 177,615.59 1,861,727.17 22,466.42 30,700.07 2,841.38 897,046.97 33,915.60 52,436,404.48 1,244,36"8.51 1898 Yen. 1,995,679.86 349,826.24 101, 164. 59 2,365,620.48 6,134,449.64 29,193,176.14 66, 350. 80 20,496,406.54 111,420.79 2,469,241.57 7,783,643.21 717,356.91 872,907.04 31,473,895.70 2,485,361.95 5,844,331.73 1, 735. 50 115,433.04 855.26 460, 603. 82 2,181,971.59 41, 720. 03 38,195.15 9, 324. 28 236,686.32 44,856.97 47,311,154.90 ,393,282.82 1899 Yen. 2,169,921.42 674,527.25 331, 416. 87 2,358,099.31 6,062,049.00 40,267,034.10 21, 798. 07 29,247,837.06 161,048.38 3,796,927,37 11, 270, 770. 44 1,351,949.85 322,155.20 34, 291, 307. 89 3,681,709.13 6, 995, 931. 35 4,764.29 286,771.92 616, 801. 61 2,556,003.02 26, 614. 03 57,731.61 12,042.71 , 111,677.72 92,650.56 63,919,270.10 916,625.87 1900 Yen. 2,530,524.75 497, 194. 50 296,511.66 2, 950, 662. 78 8,704,318.31 31 871,576.09 18,955.69 19,150,422.97 114,407.14 3,556,613.60 11,262,997.46 1,294,789.55 . 119,028.60 39,177,455.34 7,129,310.64 9,963,271.84 3, 426. 00 1,257,125.83 977.17 623,326.15 S, 541, 833. 15 36,621.57 20,503.62 4, 902. 14 117,877.66 54,940.25 52,566,396.49 1,209,577.72 Total Value of Commodities Exported from and Imported into each Port of Japan in each Calendar Year from 1889 to 1900. [From official reports of Japanese Government.] YOKOHAMA. KOBE. OSAKA. Exports. Imports. Exports. Imports. Exports. Imports. 1889 Yen. 41,862,129.11 32,331,989.74 49,540,893.51 61,552,203.97 55,209,586.46 73,015,678.12 84,791,633.51 61,696,108.13 90,700,984.57 80,312,435.10 108,278,729.49 96,125,276.60 Yen. 34,320,917.30 40,646,761.70 28,982.815.63 31,328,904.04 36,305,069.01 50,447, 371. 64" 56,095,829.78 72,803,798.70 86,836,855.03 111,014,139.55 76,453,005.11 109,775,317.03 Yen. 20,331,562.73 16,955,413.11 21,733,717.73 21,295,740.34 24,968,974.26 29,438,113.05 38,307,954.53 40,317,816.97 61,408,079.75 60,119,645.42 75,320,884.41 69,706,548.92 Yen. 26,035,330.99 32,041,003.99 25,700,501.48 30,698,176.54 41,294,276.35 66,910,503.26 63,098,426.70 82,546,592.70 110,741,830.53 138,133,797.61 120,289,524.49 137,484,281.27 Yen. 261,013.29 451, 180. 06 981,103.01 1,258,631.69 1,212,891.62 764,367.50 1,134,699.58 1,141,326.10 2,342,437.47 3,165,081.56 6, 244, 298. 30 9,626,596.06 Yen. 2,131,442.08 1890 3,350,519.12 1891 4,084,704.78 1892 6,547,370.39 1893 6,504,997.16 1894 4,014,813.39 1895 2,621,261.49 1896 4,213,790.89 1897 4,424,742.17 1898 3,555,936.75 6,405,091.49 1900 9,741,436.59 NAGASAKI. HAKODATE. OTHER POETB. Exports. Imports. Exports. Imports. Exports. Tmporta. Yen. 6,193,062.53 4, 314, 391. 26 3,842,222.11 3,337,335.73 8,226,061.65 3,558,711.20 4, 244, 197, 89 4,948,028.81 5,542,012.74 6,687,275.77 6,207,771.46 6,939,120.46 Yen. 2,912,842.75 3,410,952.35 2,932,133.00 2,931,764.96 3,624,199.17 6,413,747.62 6,370,689.25 10,024,383.16 13,601,233.64 19,698,645.69 11,147,510.08 15,427,337.60 Yen. 781,446.59 823,034.04 638,709.00 782,868.55 639,626.77 668,472.64 748,388.46 898,706.98 . 1,264,266.61 1,248,719.31 2,116,060.96 2,127,614.11 Yen. 117,706.59 676,533.96 217,480.61 12,100.90 24,322.27 66,420.88 160,361.88 330,716.08 423,723.70 820,020.13 1,726,462.14 3,009,284.25 Yen. 631,501.57 1,727,497.83 2,790,626.98 2,876,083.45 4,455,723.83 5,800,743.64 6,885,303.95 8,840,773.63 11,877,296.18 14,320,595.72 16,762,159.69 19,904,839.93 Yen. 585,627.89 1890 -- 1,603,809.39 1,009,632.88 1892 807,762.67 604,307.75 1894 640,098.67 914,009.18 1,766,192.72 3,272,386.67 4,279,616.88 1899 4,380,332.68 11,824,188.84 1901.] COMMEEOIAL JAPA24 53 1897 62,247,549.61 1898 44, 423, 699. 51 1899 8,985,253.60 1900 45, 189, 227. 94 Declared Value of Articles Exported from Japan in Vessels of each Nationality and Class of Vessel during each Calendar Year from 1893 to 1900." [From official reports of Japanese Government.] EXPORTS. NATIONALITY AND CLASS OF VESSEL. 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 Japanese: Yen. 6,694,278 260,744 Yen. 5,746,869 307,870 Yen. 3,453,299 477,121 Yen. 12,643,114 637,048 Yen. 23,098,787 964,563 Yen. 39,574,417 788,868 Yen. 65, 410, 628 1,037,121 Yen. 62,573,707.05 1,125,407.94 Total 6,865,022 6,064,739 3,930,420 13,080,162 24,063,350 40,363,285 66,447,749 03, 699, 114. 99 Amexican: 7,094,236 1,648,010 10,011,732 2,073,608 12,609,343 1,340,382 7,330,401 707,131 9,405,871 968,620 6,518,450 864,733 11,658,606 703, 0.52 7, 626, 212. 97 177,680.88 Total 8,742,815 12,085,340 13,949,725 8,037,532 10,374,491 7,383,183 12, 301, 658 7,802,893.85 Britislv. 44,682,061 1,068,737 62,936,982 1,667,108 78,269,646 1,699,178 58,899,283 163,344 81,551,881 341,332 72,206,082 169, 519 85, 174, 651 310,814 68,521,486.40 Total 45, 750, 798 64,604,090 79,968,823 59,059,627 81,893,213 72,365,601 85,485,465 69, 101, 927. 90 French: 14,279,421 43,016 13,045,372 14,014,475 13,733,174 19,042,457 14,707,413 20,6.52,030 19,546,656.16 92,165.88 Sailings vessels Total 14, 322, 437 13,01,5,372 14,014,475 13,733,174 19,012,457 14,767,413 20, 652, 030 19,638,822.04 German: Steam, vessels 9, S62, 150 519,467 12,119,428 279,103 16,142,602 88,930 16,111,469 47,095 17,198,081 19,736,210 81,613 20,632,724 30,616,142.23 Total 10,481,617 12,398,531 16,231,532 15,158,564 17,198,081 19,816,823 20,632,724 30,029,902.14 EuESian: 190,735 333,504 3,030 307,685 601 206,379 13,455 192,160 9,571 354,458 9,468 869,637 10,173 1,271,967.27 5, 018. 25 Xotal 190,735 336,534 308,286 219,834 2 jl, 731 363,926 869,810 1 276 985 52 Norwegian: , 474, 093 672,406 2,666,594 18,113 3,707,440 2,433,736 6,050 2,993,030 1,139,824 2,359,266.71 Total 474, C93 672,406 2,684,707 3,707,440 2,439,785 2,993,030 1, 139, 824 2 359 ■'66 71 All ether: Steam vessels 733,119 1,602.849 i;777 2,274,143 78,056 1,488,698 62, 658 4,095,.?07 200 4,626,199 62,442 3,839,236 7,681 3, 300, .571. 71 5, 561. 19 Total 733, 119 1,604,626 . 2,352,199 1,541,356 4,095,007 4,687,641 3, 846, 887 3, 3D6, 132. 90 Total: 84,210,692 3,540,574 106,469,142 4,332,490 129,737,786 ■ 3,702,381 113,019,958 1,517,731 157,018,779 2, 290, 336 160,774,259 1,967,643 209,367,336 2,008,811 195,815 010 50 2, 000, 036 55 To' a'' 87,551,266 571,528 110,801,638 483,348 133,440,167 72,869 114,537,689 70,444 159,309,115 74,310 162,741,902 211,436,147 26,788 197, 815, 046. 05 88,122,794 111,284,986 133,513,036 114,608,133 159,383,425 162,741,902 211,462,935 198,027,016.67 'Exclusive of exports for ship's use. No. 6 27 2342 COMMEEOIAL JAPAIf. [Decembbb, Declabed Value of Articles Imported into Japan in Vessels op each Nationality and Class op Vessel duhing each Calendab Year prom 1893 to 1900." [From official reports of Japanese Government.] IMPORTS. NATIONALITY AND CLASS OF VESSEL. 1898 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 Japanese: Steam vcd? Sailing ve.s,-els Yen. 7,054,129 517,993 Yen. 10,353,694 422,064 Ym. 2,971,196 884,694 Yen. 19,260,662 1,380,905 Yen. 42,163,610 2,573,588 Yen. 63,819,992 2,448,747 Yen. 70,759,764 2,230,339 Yen. 81,631,360.71 3,054,065.32 Total 7,672,122 10,775,758 3,855,890 20,641,667 44,787,198 66,268,739 72,990,103 84,686,026.03 American: Steam vessels 1,107,384 206,994 1,249,687 1, 152, 499 1,167,349 1,066,903 2, .548, 923 1,857,808 2,675,659 2,193,303 2,784,782 1,509,084 3,038,701 124, 941 4.102.428.06 1,155,'; 60. CO Sailing vessels Total 1,314,378 2,402,186 2,234,252 4,406,731 4,868,962 4,293,866 '3,163,702 p. OKQ -lOQ ffl British: Steam vessels 54,031,811 979,535 65,028,949 1,579,404 80,641,923 1,649,504 100,888,616 2,134,610 109,501,621 2,600,468 132,342,697 3,153,774 97,932,701 2,706,665 128,947,07177 4,191,543.95 Total 55,011,346 66,608,353 82,191,427 103,023,226 112,102,089 135,496,471 100,639,366 133,138,620.72 French: Steam vessels 7,202,642 45,468 9,197,064 10, 465, 784 12,981,259 10,113,477 12,611,250 7,467,132 8,987,370.60 45,008.67 Sailing vessels Total 7,248,110 9,197,054 10,465,784 12,981,269 10,113,477 12,611,250 7,467,132 9 03"? 379 07 German: 13,278,512 280,771 17,373,809 207,106 19,680,612 83,416 23,336,670 196, 678 28,629,255 682,294 38,378,439 973,220 22,247,550 479,978 38,910,895.99 2,782,228.09 Sailing vessels Total 13,559,283 17,C-30,915 19,764,028 23,533,348 29,311,549 39,361,659 22,727,528' 41,693,124.08 Russian : Steam vessels 82,616 70,647 3,983 59,270 118 71,762 8,882 103,658 22,321 133,424 65,238 375,307 62,724 648,022.49 39, 769. 97 Total • 82,616 74,630 59,388 80,644 125,979 198,662 438,031 587 792 46 Norwegian: Steam vessels 590,441 28,847 962,936 4,158,097 25,234 4,262,246 2,216 4,979,413 48,767 4,641,408 130,767 3,817,127 121,069 3,520,628.25 267.75 Total 619,291 962,936 4,183,331 4,264,462 5,028,180 4,772,175 3,938,196 3,520,896.00 All other: 1,957,651 10,218 1,655,036 20,163 1,734,945 25,365 971,863 8,449 4,724,076 32,500 6,959,700 28., 567 5,337,393 80 6,355,954.97 Sailing vessels 110, 688. 26 Total 1,967,869 1,675,199 1,760,310 980,312 4,756,676 6,988,267 5,337,473 6,-466, 643. 23 Total: Steam vessels 85,305,189 2,069,826 105,891,812 3,385,219 120,879,176 3,635,234 164,322,001 5,589,548 202,890,769 8, 153, 241 261,671,692 8,309,387 210,975,735 5,726,796 273, 003, 732. 74 11,379,937.51 Total 87,375,015 849 109,277,031 1,955 124,614,410 4,163 169,911,649 2,828 211,014,010 2,924 269,981,079 4,206 216,701,631 79,344 284,383,670.25 227,846.86 Total 87,375,864 109,278,986 124,618,573 169,914,377 211,046,934 269,985,284 216,780,875 284, 611, 617. 11 • Exclusive of imports for ship's use. Number op Japanese Having an Official Residence Abroad December 31, 1899. [From official reports of the Japanese Government.] COUNTRIES IN WHICH EESIDING. Persons in the service of the Govern- ment. Students. Merchants. Other pro- fessions. TOTAL. Males. Females. Total. (jtiina 146 400 6 69 16 63 64 10 9 6 4 31 8 7 49 16 5 35 37 17 147 1 8 4 1 282 3 1 1,726 7,828 34 287 255 14 4 2 2 1,983 5 621 6,825 .31 5,290 8,713 18 5 5 4 3 6 69,019 22 2 1 1,886 8,507 52 5,113 2,019 99 204 14 19 10 3 1 58,663 36 6 2 556 6,561 24 568 2,002 13 6 4 4 3 1 6 12,652 3 3 2,442 15,068 76 5,681 4,021 112 210 Italy ' 18 23 13 Netherlands . 4 7 71,315 38 9 2 Total 1899 829 770 718 627 605 596 2,465 2,362 12,140 11,643 9,673 9,290 85,465 57,792 46,029 42,063 76,633 63,114 43,707 40,348 22,406 17,687 16,078 13,994 99,039 1898 70,801 1897 58,785 1896 54,342 1901.] OOMMEEOIAL JAPAJfT. 2343 Number op Foeeignehs Eesiding in Japan December 31, 1899. [From official reports of the Japanese Government.] NATIONALITIES. Diplomatio and consular corps and stafl. Foreigners in the public service. Foreigners employed by private per- sons. Merchants and other professions. Total. Chinese ;. i 13 1 19 11 14 11 4 6 1 4 8 6 2 4 1 14 3 1 - 2 3 6,011 177 1,243 335 382 80 38 15 61 52 99 35 54 40 29 1 750 1 16 1,348 10 751 117 136 43 9 5 32 29 56 9 27 15 12 532 11 6,359 187 1,994 452 518 123 47 20 93 81 155 44 81 55 41 1 1,282 1 27 6,372 188 2,013 French , .. 463 Germans E32 Russians . . t 134 Italians 51 26 94 Dutch 85 Portuguese 158 50 83 Danish 59 Swedes and Norwegians ' 42 Greeks..., 1 1,296 llexicans 3 1 Peruvians ..^ -. 3 30 Total,1899 123 8,419 3,142 11,561 11,684 Population op the Empire op Japan on December 31 op the Following Years. [From official reports of the Japanese Government.] Males. Females. Total. INCKEASE OF POPULATION. YEARS. ' Excess of births over deaths. Persons heretofore unknown who had registered. Total. Average increase per 100 in- habitants. 22,073,758 21,823,651 21,561,023 21,345,750 21,122,899 20,906,465 20,752,366 20,663,416 20,431,097 20,246,336 20,008,445 19,731,732 21,688,057 21,405,212 21, 147, 241 - 20,924,870 20, 690, 316 20,481,848 20,337,574 20,155,261 20,022,364 19,825,684 19,598,789 19,337,959 43,760,815 43,228,863 42,708,264 425-270,620 41, 813, 215 41,388,313 41,089,940 40,718,677 40,453,461 40,072,020 39,607,234 39,069,691 475,119 458,288 369,356 394,005 368,215 240,784 320,046 233,636 321,656 401,230 419,895 304, 681 56,833 62,311 68, 288 63,400 56, 687 57,589 51, 217 31,580 69,785 63,556 117,648 257,833 531,952 520, .599 437,644 457,405 424, 902 298,373 371,263 265,216 381,441 464, 786 537,543 562,614 1.23 1897 1.22 1896 1.04 1.09 1894 1.03 .73 1892 .91 .66 .95 1889 1.17 1.38 1887 : 1.46 Population and Number op Families in Cities of Japan having More than 20,000 Inhabitants on December 31, 1898. [From returns of the Japanese census.] CITIES. Tokyo (Tokyo) Osaka (Osaka) Kioto (Kioto) Nagoya (Aichi) Kobe (Hiogo) Yokohama (Kanagawa) . .. Hiroshima (Hiroshima) . . . Nagasaki (Nagasaki) Kanazawa (Ishikawa) Sendai (Mayagi) Hakodate (Hokkaido) Fukuoka (Fukuoda) Wakajama (Wakayama) .. Tokushima (Tokushima) . . K'imamoto (Kumamoto) .. T'oyama (Toyama) Okayama (Okayama) Otaru (Hokkaido) Kagoshima (Kagoshima) .. Niigata (Niigata) Sakai (Osaka) Fukui (Fukuil .' Akamagesiki (Tamaguchi) Shidzuoka (Shidzuoka) — Kolu (Tamanashi) Sapporo (Hokkaido) Matsuyama (Ehime) Kochi (Kochi) Naba (Okinawa) Tamagata (Tamagata) Himeji (Hiogo) Hirosaki (Awomori) Matsuye (Shimane) Maj'eboshi (Gumma) Takamatsu (Kagawa) Otsu (Shiga) Mito (Ibaraki) Tsu(Miyc) Morioka (Iwate) Number Popula- of families. - tion. 316, 527 1,440,121 185,847 821,235 66,999 353, 139 56, 680 244,145 59,032 215,780 31,765 193,762 28,811 122,306 16,569 107,422 28,507 83,662 14,390 83,325 17,896 78,040 9,748 66,190 11,767 63,667 12,476 61,501 13,784 61,463 13,883 59,658 11,987 58,025 7,723 56,961 9,459 53,481 10,214 53,366 9,311 50,203 10, 119 44,286 7,565 42,786 8,691 42,172 7,304 37,561 6,569 37,482 8,347 36,545 8,484 36,511 7,548 35,453 5,253 35,300 9,153 35,282 6,441 34,771 7,936 34,651 6,448 34,495 7,844 34,416 6,832 34,225 5,433 33,778 5,821 33,287 5,433 32,989 CITIES. Saga (Saga) iTtsunomiya (Tochigi) Takaoka (Toyama) Matsumota (Nagono) Nagono (Nogona) Gifu(Gifu) Takasald ( Gumma) Youezawa( Yamagata) Nara (Nara) Akita ( Akita) Wakamatsu (Fukushima) . Kurume (Fukuoka) . .'. Tottorl (Tottori) Awomori (Awomori) Ujigamada (Miye) Kokura (Fakuoka) ChibJ(Chiba) Moji (Fukuoka) Yokkaichi (Miye) Marugame (Kagawa) Atsuta (Aichi) Yokosuka (Kanagawa) . . . Sliuri (Okinawa) Uyeda (Nagano) Kiriu (Gumma) Haohiqii (Tokyo) Tochigi (Tochigi) Onomichi (Hiroshima) Sakata (Yamagata) Toyohashi (Aichi) Washo (Hiroshima) Fushima (Kioto) Ashikaga (Tochigi ) Akashi (Hiogo) Fukushima (Fukushima) . Tsuruoka (Yamagata) Toda (Kanagawa) Takata (Niigata) , Kuwana (Miye) Number of families. 4,893 6,455 6,507 6,326 5,708 6,361 5,107 6,453 6,613 6,793 4,795 4,819 5,947 6,177 5,964 3,650 3,568 4,044 4,436 6,883 5,164 3,821 5,367 4,249 3,450 4,353 3,794 4,736 3,590 4,996 4,300 3,673 3,905 4,810 3,686 2,950 4,070 3,715 3,475 Popula- tion. 32, 763 32, 069 31, 490 31, 324 31,319 31, 942 30, 893 30, 719 30, 539 29, 477 29,200 29,008 28,496 28,029 27, 990 27,604 26,233 26,274 25, 220 24,977 24, 941 24,750 24,809 24,114 23, 991 23,203 22,379 22, 312 21, 937 21,785 21,5-53 21,516 •i!l,348 21, 196 20,624 20,461 20, 322 20,315 20,131 2344 COMMEEOIAL JAPAK [December, Estimated Annual Area Devoted to the Cultivation of Eicb, Barley, fere, also Total Pkoduction. fFrom official reports of tlie Japanese Government.] [Koku=4.96 bushels. Cho C=2.45 acres.] YEARS. IH'JS l.\97 lS;i i 1895 1891 1893 1892 CULTIVATED ABEA. Rice. Cho C. 2, 839, 650. 2 2, 817, 624. 2, 788, 845. 2 2, 786, 989. 4 2,779,227.1 2,731,014.8 2, 769, 478. 9 2,755,101.9 Bwley. Cho a 654, 852. 3 659, 695. 5 639,8^4.0 650,503.6 6.53,204.5 647,982.7 653,443.4 653,266.6 Eye. ChoC. 680, 215. 5 681,364.0 651,448.5 672, 507. 671.794.3 66i;558.8 654, 111, 4 649,855.3 Wheat. ChoC. 459,544.6 465,607.9 458,239.2 441, 680. 446,624.8 441,471.3 436,455.5 434,251.1 Total. ChoC 1, 794, 612. i 1,806,667.4 1,749,671.7 1, 764, 690. 6 1, 771, 623. 6 1,751,012.8 1, 744, 010. 3 1,737,373.0 TOTAL PEODUCTION. AVEEAGE PBODDCT PEB TAN. YEARS. Rice. Barley. Bye. Wheat. Total. Kiee. Barley. Eye. Wheat. Total. Koku. Koku. Koku. Koku. Koku. Koku. Koku. Koku. Koku. Koku. 39,590,322 8,407,263 6, 606, 277 4,057,670 19,071,210 . 1.40 1.28 0.97 0.88 1.06 47, Sai, G6S 8,918,650 7,366,605 4,181,888 20,462.ijS3 1.C8 1.35 1.08 .90 1.13 33,039,293 8,028,698 6,166,792 3,811,000 18,0a5,4?0 1.18 1.26 .95 .83 1.03 VjC- 36,199,771 7,849,285 5,923,247 3,552,789 17,32.5,32! 1.30 1.21 .88 .80 .98 39,920,882 8,536,770 7,015,709 3, 973, 644 19,526,123 1.44 1.31 1.04 .89 1.10 1 " J t 41,865,896 8,528,408 7,314,304 3,967,253 19,809,965 1.53 1.32 1.11 .90 1.13 IS. 3 37, 199, 603 7,196,669 6,146,126 8, 291, 146 16,633,841 1.34 1.10 .94 .76 .95 1892 41,378,956 6, 809, 276 6,057,134 3,074,867 15,941,276 1.50 1.04 .93 .71 .92 Silk Culthkb in Japan. [From ofBeial reports of the Japanese Government.] [1 Ivwan=8.28 pounds.] YEARS. Cards of silkworms' eggs. Cocoons. Eaw silk. Eaw silk of inferior quality. Waste. 1899, 1893 1897 189S 1.895 1894 1893 1892 Number. 3, 796, 030 3, 936, 909 3,988,569 3, 746, 139 3, 938, 388 3,334,294 3,091,222 2,831,169 Koku. 2, 512, .562 2, 027, 342 2, 124, 238 1, 836, 672 2,258,173 1,800,596 1, 686, 894 1,480,705 Kwan. 1,751,242 1,479,747 1,537,561 1,442,720 1,603,311 1,296,783 1,233,664 1,096,088 Kwan. 1,623,174 655,118 629,375 610, 083 . 696, 377 590, 801 541, 267 622,644 Kwan. 99,228 64,301 68,462 58, 163 61,772 54,257 56, 950 57, 121 Domestic Textile Industry in Japan. [From official reports of the Japanese Government.] YEARS. Number of manufacturing households. Number of looms. NUMBER OF WOBKEES. Males. Females. Total. 18?.S i.sa7 ].t9(i 1S9.1 1894 654, 196 665, 356 637, 523 660, 409 600,444 946, 413 947,134 934,201 949, 123 820,685 52,860 54,119 57,334 67,850 48,175 938,098 987, 110 921, 386 985, 016 895,416 1,040,958 1,011,229 978,720 1,042,866 943,591 Quantities and Values Of Textures Manufactured in Japan, 1890 to 1898. [From official reports of the Japanese Government.] FABRICS FOE CLOTHING. YEARS. SILK. COTTON. BILK AND COTTON MIXED. HEMP. Total value. Pieces. Value. Pieces. Value. Pieces. Value. Pieces. Value. 11,936,849 11,248,510 9,897,756 8,92.5,983 8,676,932 6,860,659 5,710,461 4,832,296 4,154,468 Ym. 63,143,314 54,967,876 45,819,364 41,063,194 28,769,241 20,893,512 16,825,728 12,543,666 10,501,870 64,644,915 60,881,000 70,196,693 63,422,144 49,694,948 43,622,964 40,210,136' 36,175,902 80,044,876 Yen. 48, 136, 610 40,894,804 38,089,089 36,680,778 20,440,753 21,691,824 18,402,874 16,344,908 13,098,442 6,478,233 5,448,064 4,383,047 3,975,602 3,761,017 3,601,563 3,618,735 3,340,809 2,764,967 Yen. 11,066,250 8,-561, 166 6,174,687 6,982,376 6,420,631 6,422,816 8,919,200 5,167,785 2,978,301 2,762,919 4,748,884 1,705,427 2,055,728 2,037,797 2,238,323 1,843,338 8.860,967 1,011,954 Yen. 3,834,449 4,824,831 2,668,077 2,350,805 3,397,593 8,267,436 2,671,978 6,331,383 1,533,489 Yen. 126, 170, 623 2S'jl . . - 109,248,177 92, 761, 117 j,^g5 . . , ^ ^ 85, 077, 1.53 64, 028, 118 3^g()3 ^ ... , 51, 275, 687 41,319,780 40, 387, 742 28,111,610 XoTE.— A piece of texture for clothing is, at an average. Hi yards long and 3 yards and 5.6 inches wide. 1901.] OOMMEEOIAL JAPAN. 2345 Quantities and Values of Textures Manufactubed in Japan, 1890 to 1898— Continued. FABRICS FOE SASHES, QIEDLES, ETC. YEARS BILK, coTTOsr, SILK AND COTTON MIXED. Total value. Pieces. Value. Pieces. Value. Pieces. Value. 1S98 1,582,785 1,282,710 1,288,617 805,480 750,058 524,245 468,708 851,270 639,485 Yen. 10,792,714 8,710,898 8,270,581 5,408,207 3,783,700 2,904,771 3,022,057 2,581,345 2,131,360 957,322 1,761,665 1,300,270 2,109,679 1,533,980 1,212,329 1,526,220 1,724,263 2,189,742 Yen. 591,794 1,359,043 991,012 1,402,979 726, 816 618,117 710,536 581,762 465,161 2,771,534 2, 130, 232 2,246,068 2, 716, 262 1, 958, 671 1,540,383 1, 562, 102 1,410,263 1,638,940 Yen. 6,184,007 3,163,864 2,968,981 4,298,896 2,826,685 3,826,317 3,888,164 2,790,191 2,332,020 Yen. 17,668,575 13,233,805 12 226,674 1897 ;..■;; is.i; ISUi 11, 110, 082 it 11 7, 337, 100 i«« 7 318,205 lh92 7,620,766 1S9I 5, 953, 298 1890 4,928,641 Note.— A piece of fabric for sashes or girdles is, at an average, 41i yards long. The width varies according to the sex and age of the respective persons for whom the goods are destined. Cotton Spinning in Japan by Means of Eueopea-n Machineey. [From official reports of the Japanese Government.] [1 kwan=8.28 pounds; 1 sen=^ yen.] YEARS. Number of companies. Number of spindles. Quantities of cotton spun. Quantities of cotton used. Spinning waste. 1899 95 72 74 63 47 46 40 39 2,074,475 1,027,817 768,328 692,384 518,736 476,123 381,781 386,314 Kwan. 43,113,790 32,163,239 26,134,120 20,585,485 18,437,011 14,620,008 10,666,744 9,977,208 Kwan. 51,024,761 42,54-1,666 32, 068, 243 24,875,087 21,771,316 17,179,274 11,631,307 12,240,793 6,163,707 4,980,687 3,706,510 2,923,729 2,423,361 1, 816, 333 1,178,059 1398 XS97 X895 1893 YEARS. Waste of cotton. HOESE POWER OP MOTOKS. Coal con- sumed. DAILY'AVEr.AGE WAGES PER WORKER. Steam. Water. Male. Female. Kwan. 766,306 .568,409 1,177,099 328, 666 251,879 192,017 298,466 304,851 33,626 1,819 Tons. 449, 728 370,056 241,791 216,142 156,616 132, 120 84,660 90.389 Sen. ,Se)i. 1808 26,301 19,244 14,781 12,439 8,110 8.604 1,362 660 187 317 470 435 22.9 19.7 -18.0 17.1 17.4 17.4 1896 - 12 • IiIanufactukb of Papbk in Japan. [From official reports of the Japanese Government.] YEARS. Manufac- turing households JAPANESE PAPER CALLED "MINO." JAPANESE PAPER CALLED "HANSHI." Value of all other kinds. EUROPEAN PAPER. Total Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. value. 66,702 66,363 65,226 66, 213 62,694 SMme. 152,968 156,303 164, 640 16-1, 799 169,299 Yen. 1,246,942 1,412,584 1,063,973 835,559 570,073 488,467 538,639 SMme. 2,852,771 2,743.669 2,960;705 2,530,6a5 3,648,666 Yen. 5,203,933 5,162,095 4,179,569 3,779,288 3,132,266 2,143,892 2,140,920 Yen. 5,941,132 6,005,509 5,073,378 4,611,898 4,358,779 2, 279, 488 1,920,464 Kwan. 5,526,266 5,072,476 5,311,565 5,121,925 4,747,706 2,696,496 1,426,426 Yen. 2, 664, 446 2, 654, 722 2, 596, 342 2, 396, 914 2, 188, 171 r6y,5-!9 410,057 Yen. 14,946)453 16,234,910 12, 912, 262 11,522,669 10,249,288 5,881,396 5,010 080 1895 * . . Note.— One shime of paper contains 10 soku, and each soku 10 jio. One jio of " mino " paper contains 48 sheets; 1 jio of hanshi paper 20 sheets. 2346 COMMEEOIAL JAPAHT. Manufactuee of Matting and Mats in Japan. [Prom ofaoial leporte oJ the Japanese GoTcrnment.] YEARS. Manulac- turing households. MATS. MATS CALLED " GOZA." MATTING CALLED "HANAQOZA." Total value. Pieces. Value. Pieces. Value. Eolle. Value. 1898 101,993 109,100 101,792 103,044 88,084 10,777,037 f 5,510,855 \ "449,457 10,669,436 5,339,179 5,326,659 Yen. 1,953,298 1 1,941,300 2,160,667 1,506,518 1,157,698 1,231,853 647,664 3,635,461 3,555,916 3,279,163 3,622,722 8,537,891 Yen. 664,454 491,489 488,323 423,686 431, 336 449,192 252,335 474,898 r 533,203 1 >'5,046. / 340,508 1 "531 / 577,181 1 "8,610 / 310,287 t "5,154 Yen. 2,090,676 } 3,217,482 2,180,586 3,135 3,787,280 3,006 2,036,894 1,394 563,800 Yen. 4,608,428 5,650,271 I 4,832,711 I 5,720,490 [ 3,627,322 2,244,845 1897..! 1896 1895 1894 1892 ; 1887 899,999 • Number of- packages. " Number of pieces. Pkodtjction of Tea in Japan. [From official reports of the Japanese Government.] [1 kwan=8.28 pounds.] YEARS. Numberof households engaged. Tea. "Bancha" tea. Total. YEARS. Number of households engaged. Tea. "Bancha" tea. Total. 1899 621,590 774,060 777,944 762,634 Kwan. 4,880,734 5,990,300 6. 074, 164 6; 044, 549 Kwan. 2, 663, 263 2,453,426 2,396,018 2,456,196 Kwan. 7,643,997 8,443,726 8,470,182 8,500,745 1895 736,775 705,928 Kwan. 6,248,813 , 5,250,135 5,200,801 4,986,468 Kwan. 2,450,468 2,633,097 2,439,567 2,225,397 Kwan. 8, 698, 781 1898 1894 7,883,232 7,640,368 7,211,865 1897 1893 1896 1892 Value of the Pkoducts of the Sea and Rivee Fishekies of Japan. [From official reports of the Japanese Government.] YEARS. Fresh fish. Dried flsh. Salted fish. Seaweed. Vegetable glue and can- dles manufac- tured of flsh oil. Manure. Fish oil. Ig98 Yen. 34, 81*8, 038 31, 103, 631 27,295,545 14,489,146 11,951,822 (•) Yen. ' 9,155,194 8,997,336 ■ 7,165,605 6,164,778 5,987,459 8,102,703 6,785,527 6,465,902 7,069,740 Yen. 1,875,775 2,257,887 1,791,678 1,450,860 1, 056, 243 2,699,951 2,541,067 1,800,241 1,920,054 Yen. 1,237,073 1,748,449 1,289,385 1,340,279 703,679 1,922,418 1,723,113 1,202,594 1,075,755 Yen. 675,711 658,705 581,061 337,236 317,265 514,110 626,940 222,760 191,585 Yen. 7,561,334 10,515,196 7,861,932 7,403,519 7,214,107 6, 712, 072 4,529,766 5, 171, 518 5,086,941 Yen. 192,130 239, 746 1896 241, 560 137, 342 1894 188, 087 318, 837 1892 145, 338 1891 155, 778 138, 432 » No data. 1901.J COMMEECIAL JAPAN. 2347 Wages Paid in the Peincipai; Occupations in Japan during the Yeaes fbom 1892 to 1898. [From official reports of the Japanese Govermnent.] 1898 AVERAGE WAGES. Niplion. Shikoku. Kiv^u. Hok- kaido or Yezo. 1892 1894 1896 1896 1897 OCCUPATIONS. Central. Northern part. Western part. 1898 Tokyo. Other local tlea. Yen. 0.74 .75 .88 .65 .70 .78 .70 .67 .74 .75 .64 .62 .54 .69 .67 .51 .65 .71 .59 .43 .42 .62 .62 .55 Yen. 0.52 .51 .55 .53 .55 .68 .58 .47 .50 .60 .48 .42 .37 .53 .46 .48 .43 .66 .38 .39 .37 .48 .45 .52 .49 .49 .42 .44 .32 .40 .39 .36 .68 .81 .31 .20 .33 .22 .21 .30 .20 .54 .39 .59 .36 12.15 9.17 11.77 2.53 1.45 37.17 20.66 Yen. 0.53 . .54 .60 .48 .48 .50 .61 .48 .51 .49 .48 .39 .39 .48 .40 .47 .36 .51 .35 .30 .35 .42 .49 .49 .30 .38 .31 .34 .38 .43 .38 .35 .52 .59 .32 .22 .28 .21 .25 .35 .24 .37 .42 .43 .37 8.21 7.45 13.07 3.14 1.84 31. 55 17.47 Yen. 0.59 .57 .66 .60 .56 .62 .49 .49 .52 .53 .52 .41 .44 .51 .64 .50 .40 .74 .45 .38 .38 .56 .47 .58 .45 .51 .34 .42 .69 .47 .40 .39 .62 .54 .32 .20 .34 .24 .24 .42 .22 .55 .40 .40 .39 11.86 9.64 11.87 2.31 1.35 38.00 19.83 Yen. 0..52 .51 .56 .58 .48 .57 .80 .44 .60 .46 .49 .42 .45 .54 .34 .44 .35 .49 .46 .41 .32 .45 .34 .49 .37 .43 Yen. 0.51 .48 .50 .47 .45 .46 .52 .44 .47 .43 .49 .42 .42 .49 .49 .48 .39 .55 .41 .35 .35 .48 .42 .48 .41 .44 .50 .47 .43 .42 .38 .36 .51 .46 .32 .24 .36 .25 .28 .39 .27 .40 .36 .69 .37 11.20 8.66 10.79 3.98 2.19 45.34 25.57 Yen. 0.70 .50 .80 .70 .50 .60 .50 .50 .70 .50 .70 .70 .55 .60 .50 .60 .50 .70 .40 .60 .66 .60 .50 .50 .50 .50 Yen. 0.32 .32 .36 .31 .30 .34 "".'36' .30 .32 .30 "".'28' .49 ■■■■.■ffi' .24 .31 ""'.ib' .30 Yen. 0.35 .35 .40 .35 .33 .38 .44 .33 .33 .33 .33 .29 .29 .39 .35 .32 .31 .60 .29 .28 .26 .36 .33 .26 .27 .35 .26 .28- .22 .29 .29 .28 .36 .34 .21 .13 .22 .14 .17 .21 .14 .34 .26 .34 .24 7.87 6.16 7.02 2.16 1.23 24.64 13.13 Yen. 0.36 .37 .42 .37 .34 .38 .47 .35 .36 .33 .35 .30 .30 .39 .36 .33 .31 .51 .33 .29 .27 .35 .37 .37 .27 .35 .26 .29 .22 .30 .33 .30 .38 .34 .22 .14 .24 .15 .18 .22 .16 .37 .29 .38 .26 8.33 6.84 7.76 2.20 1.27 28.04 16.24 Yen. 0.43 .43 .47 .42 .41 .47 .46 .38 .40 .40 .39 .35 .33 .41 .40 .36 .36 .87 .34 .31 .30 .42 .38 .41 .32 .38 .27 .31 .26 .34 .34 .34 .44 .38 .25 .16 .27 .18 .21 .24 .16 .42 .33 .39 .30 8.72 7.77 9.26 2.53 1.44 32.12 16.61 Yai. 0.49 .60 .55 .60 .48 .64 .56 .44 .46 .45 .45 .38 .38 .46 .46 .41 .37 .68 .41 .35 .35 .48 .42 .48 .38 .45 .38 .37 .35 .42 .36 .35 .50 .47 .30 .19 .33 .21 .23 .27 .19 .45 .39 .48 .34 9.94 8.40 9.69 2.83 1.60 35.59 19.66 Yen. 0.54 Plasterers .63 Stonecutters .58 .64 Koofers (thatch, shingles, etc.) .52 Tilers .86 .57 Mn.t TnnlfPrq .47 Screen and door makers, etc .61 .50 Joiners ■. .60 .43 Clog makers . . .41 .51 .49 Wheelwrights .48 .41 Tailors (European dress) .61 .41 Dyers .37 Cotton beaters .37 Blacksmiths .49 .45 52 .42 Workers of varnished goods .69 .53 .50 .52 .59 .49 .52 .70 .56 .34 .20 .34 .20 .25 .44 .29 .70 .47 47 .39 .48 .36 .46 .32 .33 .41 .43 .39 .23 .48 .34 .31 .65 .29 .,50 .48 .44 .39 15.69 12,31 10.84 4.15 2.00 40.83 24.17 .26 "".'27' .29 .27 .34 .19 .12 .22 .15 .17 .16 .11 .31 "'"."22' 8.88 7.23 5.74 2.12 1.16 44 .50 .40 .66 .45 .90 .60 .46 .30 ,35 .20 .30 .50 .35 37 .43 .39 Printers •. 37 ShiDwriehts 68 53 Agricultural day laborers: 33 Weavers: Men 38 .48 40 .26 .70 .55 11.00 11.00 13.50 6.00 3.25 60.00 42.00 .53 .47 8.40 9.00 14.70 4.25 3.63 45.00 20.00 Wages per month: 11.47 9.27 11.85 2.96 1.74 38.92 31.48 Farm hands— Note. — This table shows the average wages calculated for the months of March and September in certain localities of each district, are at v/ork but a certain period during the year, as tea and " sake " workers, figures relating to the respective periods are given. For those laborere that 2348 COMMEECIAXi JAPAN". [Dbcembeh, CORBENT PfilCES OF PrINCIPAI, AbTICLES IN THE CiTY OF TOKYO DUBINQ THE YkAES 1890-1899. [From official reports of the Japanese Government.] ARTICLES. Rice Barley . . . Rve Wheat... Pease... Salt. Soy ( Jajianes?. Eauce) Sake, eoiamon (rice wine) Tea Tuiweeo: Leaf Cat Boritos Beef. Suj;:ir: Wliite, Japanese White, f oreisn Erown, Japanese Brawn, foreign Cotton: Raw, Japanese Raw, loreijrn Spun, Japanese Spun, foreign Bleached Texture Goods, white Bilk, raw: Superior quality Middle quality Inferior quality Texture, silk, called "hanairo' Taffetas ("kaiki") Flax. Indigo, dry Iron: Japanese European Pine wood (1 sq. "Bhaku " by 2 " ken " long) . Cypress, Japanese (same dimensions) Pine boards (6 "bu" thick) Cypress boards <4 "bu" thick) Oil for burning Petroleum . . .*. Coal Wood (for burning) Charcoal Paper, Japanese; Called "raino" Called "hanshi" Manure: Dried sardines Refuse of herrings Residuum of vegetable oil . Unit of quantity. Koku.. do. do. do do. .do. .do. .do. 100 iin . do.. do.. Kwan . , iOD kin . .do. .do. -do. .do. ....do. do. do. do. Piece . . do. do. 100 kin . do.. do.. Piece . . . do.. 100 kin . Kwan .. do... do... Piece do... Tsubo . . . do... Koku . . . . Cask Ton 10 kwan . do... 480 leaves. 200 leaves. 10 kwan . do... do ... 1890 Yen.. 8.84 3.94 4.98 5. 32 1.85 9.23 12.83 21 54 18.33 30.29 1.S9 7.18 7.47 0.87 16.97 21.13 18.18 31.93 .25 .27 3.12 2.70 20.00 .85 .26 .20 2.05 2.24 .80 .24 24,19 1.86 .81 .13 1.71 2.42 1891 Yen. 7.35 3.46 5.27 4.91 1.25 10.72 11.58 21.08 11.15 19.13 1.52 7.28 6.46 5.78 4.42 18.05 17.38 24.27 30.65 .28 .30 1.63 2.10 19.19 1.69 .37 .23 2.10 2.01 .40 .21 23.25 1.67 .20 .54 .91 .15 1.59 2.29 1892 Yen. 7.47 3.28 5.21 4.81 1.19 10.08 12.30 28.77 13.92 25.33 1.S4 7.10 7.12 0.74 4.30 18.15 17.31 24.23 29.31 .25 .26 .28 2.42 2.53 22.26 2.67 .29 2.54 2.07 .35 .32 18.62 1.68 4.54 .23 .60 .83 .15 1.95 2.16 1893 Yen. 7.49 3.07 5.15 5.09 1.14 10.36 13.00 27.72 1,5. 01 23.68 1.44 9.19 8.22 7.70 5. SI 19.23 17.86 26.30 32.86 .24 .30 2.68 2.67 26.37 1.57 .11 3.22 2.62 .37 .29 22.10 1.75 4.54 .23 .01 .86 .15 1.73 2,22 1894 Yen. 8.93 3.72 5.34 5.68 5.90 .81 10. 78 16.58 27.26 20.63 25. 75 1.76 11.63 8.04 9.06 7.75 4.72 20.40 18.83 28.97 39.15 .25 747. 60 727. 50 707. 50 3.03 3.25 26.00 1.38 .37 .25 2. 88 2.68 .42 .26 23.85 1.77 6.80 .19 .51 .89 .17 2.02 2.29 1.69 1895 Yen. 8.63 3.51 4.61 4.60 5.81 1.09 10.72 19.92 28.13 23.75 31.75 2.66 13.75 7.44 9.08 6.98 3.82 21.78 20.25 28.82 38.92 .30 .38 .39 706. 83 649. 81 699. 31 4.22 3.94 33.24 1.95 .35 .24 3.40 2.39 .54 .39 27.08 2.23 7.05 .20 .96 .21 1.64 2.48 1.71 1890 Yen. 10.19 2.99 5.20 5.B9 0.29 2 <7 ii!69 13. 93 27.77 12.35 12. 35 2.28 15.76 8.32 8.92 8.00 4.46 22.78 22.04 30.83 38.63 .28 .32 .34 795. 00 732. 50 689.25 4.42 6.56 29.55 2.03 .37 .25 4.36 4.10 .67 .52 29.76 2.20 5.93 .22 1.10 2.36 2.98 1.79 1SS7. 1898 Yen. Vl.11 4.63 6.80 8.26 6. S4 3. « 1.'. C8 24. i58 30.03 23.86 36.13 3.39 19. 83 12,17 8.01 8.21 5.18 24.51 22,79 28,73 36,81 .27 3.25 3.43 878, 75 843.75 808.75 3,49 3,96 28,63 1,89 ,27 .28 4,70 6,70 .79 .60 32.72 2.10 9,10 ,30 1,17 1,34 .25. 2.39 2,95 1,93 Yen. 14,42 C.15 7,65 8,10 7,88 2,31 11,53 28.99 35.21 37.67 4li. 00 3.58 16.92 16.05 8.99 8,40 6. 86 20.19 19.38 24.50 34,85 .25 .37 940. 00 888. 13 856,26 3,78 4,38 24.82 1.62 .28 4.55 4.78 .65 ,65 31.30 2,08 9,77 ,28 1,18 1,70 ,28 3.90 3.57 2.00 1899 Yen. 10,36 4,63 6,68 7,45 7,32 2,48 12,42 32, .57 36,91 49,17 40.83 3,47 20,40 16,66 8,83 7,84 7.14 29,07 23,39 29,74 102. 97 .27 .43 .43 811. 85 794. 24 776. 28 9.33 8.88 43.66 2.06 .12 .17 4.07 4.30 .61 .55 35,04 2,84 5.96 .22 1.25 1,75 .26 2,44 3,38 2,14 Note, — ^The prices of the above table are average prices, calculated on the basis of prices current during the months of March, June, September, and December, For years prior to 1894 the averages are based on current quotations returned three times a month. For 1899 the prices relate to the second half y^ar. Koku=4,9629 bushels; kln=l,3251 pounds; kwan=8.2317 pounds; tsabo=3,9533 square yards. Total Product of Mines Operated in Japan by the State and Private Individuals during the Years prom 1891 to 1898. [From official reports of the Japanese Government.] NAilES OF MINERALS. 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 ISSCi 189V ISBS Metallic substances, molted or prepared quantities: Gold Ounces. 22,548 1,890,010 Kwan. 5,064,634 4, 616, 783 213, 735 / 16, 656 t «686, 978 11,807 >■ 859, 524 1,295 2 151,521 6,018 l>45 4,520 Ounces. 21,640 1,916,549 Ku-an. 5,536,061 6,031,466 230, 869 11,232 «367,C37 11,011 <> 1,338, 200 Ounces. 24,160 2,229,906 Kwan. 4,797,809 4,536,306 293,653 32,544 » 406, 486 10, 145 1 3, 771, 842 Ounces. 26,553 2,338,229 - Kwan. 6,308,840 5,182,427 389, 943 107,366 •311,602 10,301 "3,558,518 Ounces. ■ 29,101 2, 320, 699 Kwan. 5,098,085 6, 879, 306 519,133 170,648 » 278, 303 12, 833 "4,533,209 Ounces. 30,981 2,078,390 ICwan. 5,354,338 7, 299, 579 521,140 137, 712 «220, 307 13, 303 "4,782,923 Ounces. 33,385 1,748,609 Kwan. 5,437,155 7,461,361 206,577 219,473 » 92, 698 12, 692 •4,112,239 Guncesi. £7, 336 1,946,648 Kwan. 6, COG 335 6,293,225 454, Oil } 329, S93 11,380 Tin Manganu ^e "3,006,972 273 885 204,046 1,434 240, 767 1,965 222,343 1,609 231,236 3,477 1,120 1,901 5,360 16,905 '3,955 "570 434 b 116, 531 Tons. 8,317,104 Kwan. ''437,640 "6,370,302 6,906 412 128 409 2, 590 • "1,806,048 Tons. 5,019,689 Kwan. "8,336,000 "3,338,140 57,312 714 9,612 373 2,112 "1,374,256 Tons. 4,261,218 liwan. "6,079,440 "5,001,147 290,400 "1,686,519 Tons. 4,766,670 Kwan. "5,979,880 "4,141,480 20,442 Nonraetallic substances, gross quantities: Coal Tons. 3.108,875 Kmn. b 520, 480 ''5,847,746 655, 861 1,309 1,286 2,363 Tons. 3,176,810 Krmn. "637,640 f 6, 462, 818 160,074 Tons. "5,888,167 Kwan. "9,248,840 3,621,899 "103,984 Tom. " 6, 696, 033 Kwan. "11,229,680 2, 762, 348 "92,424 ■Sulphur. " Gross quantities. 1901.] COMMEEOIAL JAPAIJJT. 2349 Domestic Postal Orders Iesued and Paid in the Japanese Postal Service, 1891 to 1900. [From official reports of tlie Japanese Government.] YEARS. Number of post-ofBecs selling postal orders. POSTAL OEDEKS SOLD. Charges collected for adver- tisements of pay- ment. POSTAL OKDEES PAID. Charges collected on orders. AVEEAGE AMOCNT OP OEDEE. Number. Amount. Number. Amount. Postal orders sold. Postal orders paid is99-:soo 4,539 3,406 3,231 3,124 2,500 2,495 2,488 2,276 2,124 6,786,583 6, 338, 469 5,793,401 4,931,694 4,486,346 4,022,903 3,372,036 2,944,622 2,606,116 Yen. 68,874,271 56,201,432 54,541,423 45,687,907 42,410,621 34,013,447 23,560,744 23,872,453 20,715,040 Yen. 639,510 471,374 439, 7CS 361,006 330, 866 279, 179 228,059 190,301 164,208 6,779,799 6, 317, 516 5,778,005 4,903,224 4,476,934 4,000,715 3,365,904 2,935,297 2,599,889 Yen. 68,748,520 56,227,075 54,492,570 45,502,947 42,316,351 33, 903, 499 28,463,815 23,825,165 20,691,015 Yen. 2,193 1,220 1,020 933 600 616 526 309 118 Yen. 10.15 8.^7 9.-U 9.4.5 8.46 8.47 8.11 7.95 Yen. 10 14 lffS-9'J ]X97-'JS ISS.i-iV ISSJ-! j IS'Ji-ys 1SV13-91 8.'.U 9. 43 9. '-8 9.'45 8.47 8.43 l,«92-s;i ^ 12 1891-92 7.1.6 Number of Post and Telegraph Offices and Persons Employed in Japan. [From official reports of the Japanese Government] YBAES. Combined post and telegraph offices. Post-offices. Branch post- offices. Telegraph offices. Branch tele- graph offices. Letter boxes, public and private. 1899-1900 1,200 1,086 1,086 965 648 638 590 535 340 219 2,613 2,668 2,659 2,770 8,076 3,080 3,128 3,169 3,366 3,411 651 571 540 535 523 535 563 554 544 36 38 40 37 41 42 46 32 41 • 206 132 129 112 96 80 SO 64 55 1898-99 39,191 38, ] 31 36,134 35, 023 31,344 33, 300 31,900 27,710 1897-98 1806-97 1895-96..., 1894-95 1863-94 JS92 . . 1891 1890 1 NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES. YEARS. 18S9-1900 1898-99 . . 1897-98.. 1896-97 . . 1895-96 . . 1891-95 . . 1893-94.. 1892 1891 KUMBEE OF PERSONS ESIPLOYED IN COMBIKED POST AND TELE- GHAPH OFFICES. Employees. 14,772 13, 439 12, 166 10, 684 8,389 7,872 7,393 5,0-52 3,804 Messengers. 11,810 10, 285 9,615 8,373 6,591 6,510 6,116 2,926 2,377 POST-OFFICES. Employees. 6,353 6,292 6,129 6,241 6,914 6,861 6,908 3,291 3,410 Messengers. 7,830 7,532 7,591 7,824 8,573 8,502 8,225 13 14 TELEGRAPH OFFICES. Employees. ■ Messengers. 194 179 169 125 147 1.53 154 136 134 95 100 103 89 liO 93 118 116 104 Note.— The number of telegraph offices and branches for the years 1891 and 1892 is that for the end of the fiscal year, i. e., March 31; for the other years, that. for December 31 . No. 6- -28 2350 COMMEECIAL JAPAK [Decbiiber, International Postal Service in Japan, 1892 to 1897. NUMBER OF LETTERS, POSTAL C.4RDS, PAPERS, PACKAGES, ETC., RECEIVED FROM AND SENT TO PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES. [From oflScial reports of the Japanese Government.] FOEWAEDED. EEOEIVED. COUNTRIES TO WHICH FOR- WARDED. . Letters. Postal cards. Printed matter. Sam- plesand com- mercial articles. Prank- ed mat- ter. Reg- istered matter. Par- cels. Total. Letters. Postal cards. Printed matter. Sam- ples and com- mercial articles. Frank- ed -mat> ter. Reg- istered matter. .Par- cels. Total. Asia: ■ Korea 391,153 162,862 - 1 755 216,462 10,900 - - -260 2,704 687 - 2,262 494 104 143 78 13 499,068 16,3,462 8,692 34,528 12,768 54, 635 4,745 1,261 520 884 234 6,498 272 117 208 871 1,196 130 13 11,995 6,869 78' ""m 26 11,993 16, 179 268 2,898 2,934 5,808 737 389 444 597 39 1,137,169 361,544 6,092 68,834 32,028 164,434 11,137 4,640 2,914 2,729 910 335,419 153,123 1,872 14,131 22,958 94,198 4,485 3,432 3,939 1,742 130 188,404 24,057 949 1,924 1,638 6,850 1,495 494 117 52 56,022 54,586 1,846 5,967 10,842 57,720 2,678 3,445 1,105 1,014 62 2,535 2,074 'i7,'i76' 4,630 40,210 14,368 363 4,016 2,324 6,354 601 371 1,071 351 35 639, V66 252, .S38 5,030 26, 064 Siam Russia 28|418 14,833 100, 100 6,005 2,873 1,807 1,131 624 British India 1,846 1,261 "i,'i57' 39 26 39 871 39 182 39, 677 166,224' 9,298 7,924 7,389 English colonies Spanish colonies French colonies Dutch colonies Portiiguese colonies . . All other countries . . . 39 3,198 - - 217 Total , 710,561 234,037 777,682 9,344 19, 601 41,286 1,792,431 635,429 224, 980 195,277 8,912 22,963 70,064 1,157,625 EnEOPE: Great Britain 200,554 105,547 75,530 4,394 7,085 10,478 832 585 24,505 1,703 4,342 4,708 884 2,600 1,612 1,001 7 124 ( 119 418 6,317 4,251 1,339 533 361 299 39' 169- 247 130 273 52 299 897 520 78 13 91 13 is" 13 39 13 .506 1 4 186 350,414 219,978 112,630 10,927 13,768 21,505 1,001 1,174 35,369 3,703 7,626 9,072 1,682 3,126 2,585 1,998 156 611 1 1^ Ri'^ 214,942 112,112 72,748 5,304 2,028 5,382 403 182 24,622 2,379 4,650 3,662 520 1,092 728 1,859 35, 633 18,538 1,521- 871 283 481 . 442 15,072 5,224 1,816 1,093 441 730 59,475 1,976 468 1,157 5,148 26 ISO 1,930 377 884 1,030 273 156 234 286 35,932 26,962 3,809 3,848 3,663 78 247 4,095 767 1,690 A 392 338 260 390 455 13,518 5,701 1,645 1,314 1,836 52 173 4,637 596 541 635 135 110 297 152 358 602 69, 810 39,715 5,681 6,161 6,682 117 442 14,014 2,496 3,432 4,290 845 2,483 2,028 2,054 16, 913 4,186 689 715 2,041 13 66 780 156 221 1,092 52 130 65 687 238; 775 126, 493 14,061 . . 9,411 16,179 563 Italy . . 143 104 13 1,373 1,117 1,580 30 52 3,696 377 530 639 30 40 263 102 Switzerland Austria-Hungary Roumania 741 65 260 '"'312' is' 13 43,177 ■6,668 8,746 Spain Belgium 9,908 1,447 3,745 3,084 4,758 Sweden Nor \vay Denmark 52 78 26' All other countries- . . 104 Total 446, 368 80,730 20-4,334 13,130 2,002 41, 848 5,046 796,458 315,861 41,661 452,413 58, 071 1,157 51,288 8,133 928,484 America: United States 288,093 845 42,185 767 702 1,586 18, 642 247 1,365 78 166,622 1,586 16,718 1,261 156 936 11,362 377 1,106 1,378 91' 13,592 306 1,293 182 18 434 "'304' 600,689 3,361 63,061 2,288 1,110 3,281 388,063 1,131 26,013 672 364 1,521 37, 674 104 3,662 91 385,255 1,261 14, 235 689 14,196 "2,' 654' 494 13 52 13 7,021 142 1,071 109 15 188 "'29i' 832 703 Mexico 2; 651 47,278 1,474 379 Brazil French colonies 234 65 26' All other countries. . . 234 13 403 2,125 Total 334,178 20, 566 187.279 13, 143 1,495 15,826 3n4 673, 790 417,664 41,444 401,843 16,250 572 8,546 291 886,610 Afeica: Egypt l,40i 676 429 169 78 377 221 143 65 13 297 121 ■ 26 2,325 1,096 598 2,704 702 442 611 195 26 1 235 13 406 69 24 4,969 326 13 All Other countries 605 Total 2,509 247 1 741 65 13 444 4,019 3,848 832 1,573 13 499 Oceania: Hawaii 103,800 38,922 1,118 26 9,243 25,909 767 15,340 130 130 1,560 1,326 13 65 117 5,311 2,831 13 53 205, 888 69,323 1,404 79 138,060 34,060 65 91 18,681 1,053 13 26 41,756 8,567 26 637 416 3,127 2,253 1,226 202,261 46,349 1,330 323 British colonies 13 Total 203,866 10,140 1 41,379 2,899 182 8,228 266, 694 172,276 19,773 60,631 1 1,053 13 6,617 1 260,263 Grand total 1,697,482 345,740 ,1,212,416 38,681 23, 193 110,631 5,860 3,433,392 1,545,078 j328,590 1,101,637 j 84,286 24,718 137,014 8,424 3,229,747 Total: 1889-1900 1,697,482 1,503,877 1,474,120 1,173,380 l,0i6,132 748, 639 700,726 505,657 345,740 1,212,415 262,851 1.028.313 38,681 23,656 50,097 42, 042 25, 207 25,961 21, 736 16,861 23,193 14, 929 12,614 32, 110 33,293 13,481 7,692 6,968 110,631 84, 639 94,481 70,887 69,672 58,926 54,822 35,881 5,330 4,678 4,085 1,274 358 190 101 73 3,433,392 2, 922, 663 2,841,218 2,560,816 2,082,092 1,414,088 1,156,438 904,406 1,545,078 1,375,183 1,338,090 1,193,751 1,202,970 899, 704 749,602 704,609 328,590 144,943 344, 236 222,287 316,914 105,976 71,942 51,961 1,101,637 1,056,410 837,534 840,242 706,880 686,088 687, 888 662.246 84,286 59,787 23,119 61,386 25,857 29,289 15,665 16,705 24,718 10,868 32,306 115,362 120,185 18,005 8,073 6,227 137,014 96,339 86,110 80,409 85,944 74,206 50,471 44,536 8,424 6,2.54 4,004- 2,170 1,091 179 146 147 3,229,747 1898-f9 1897 98 417,706 322, 086 201,344 93,899 58,877 34,177 788,266 918,437 736,086 472,992 311,584 304,889 2,665,399 2,515,607 2,459,841 1,813,447 1,583,654 1,486,331 189C-97 ... 1^94-95 ■ 1893-94 1892 93 Length of Postal Routes in Japan. [From offlclttl reports of the Japanese Government,] YEARS. Land routes. Railroads, River routes. Sea routes. Si. 11,831,46 11,635,06 11,499,65 11,769,19 11,677.21 11,676.32 11,759.92 11,543,57 EngUsh miles. 3,603,48 3,438.03 2,863,85 .2,389,35 2,238,92 2,004,86 1,861,66 1,794,09 Marine ri. 173,76 173.76 173.76 178. 76 178.76 178.76 178.76 139.62 Marine ri. 25, 640. 59 1898-99 - 25, 159. 86 24, 991. 24 1896-97 25, 527. 74 24, 271. 24 1894-95 24,512.34 23, 639. 84 16,646.62 Ri=2,4403 miles. Marine rl=1.1507 miles. 1901.] COMMEEOIAL JAPAJ^T. Domestic and International Mail Matter Forwarded in Japan. [From official reports of the Japanese Government.] 2351 YEAES. Letters. Postal cards. Journals and pamphlets. Books. Samples and seeds. Franked articles. Registered mail. Parcels. Total. Number of articles for- warded per inhabitant. 1899-1900 ;.... 145,233,511 154,809,696 142,862,727 122,351,940 109,401,244 94,453,978 80,604,706 72,122,576 330,824,967 327,245,215 287,062,803 262,861,315 228,602,113 190,691,321 158,146,818 133,260,175 109,023,612 90,867,742 88,264,125 86,801,875 78,962,299 80,415,390 66,968,379 50,829,700 8,000,883 7,601,036 7,327,299 6,617,114 6,917,775 6,257,376 6,391,852 5,087,360 1,337,059 1,160,630 1,047,625 898,190 683,923 484,634 421,243 325,064 18,937,560 17,043,197 18,110,775 18,605,367 18,237,886 17,165,830 16,822,191 12,929,437 8,127,975 7,119,138 6,233,130 5,223,891 4,679,471 4,049,933 3,540,704 3,251,431 5,838,336 4,911,919 4,104,453 2,737,138 1,686,977 1,206,849 734,615 40,682 627,323,903 610,258,473 555,012,937 606,096,820 448,071,687 393,726,311 321,630,608 277,846,426 14.36 1898-99 13.96 1897-98 12.85 1896-97 11.86 1895-96 10.61 1894-95 9.44 1893-94 7.66 1892-93 6.66 International Postal Orders Sold and Paid in Japan, 1891-1897. [From official reports of the Japanese Government.] i-ii .- ■ YEAES. OEDEES SOLD. Charges col- lected on orders. ^ OKDEES PAID. AVEEAGE AMOUNT 0? OEDEK. Number. Amount. Number. Amount. Order sold. Order paid. 1899-1900 5,222 4,381 3,960 3,581 3,319 2,442 2,429 2,309 2,432 $137,984 112,678 108,816 93,828 91,640 79,464 68,799 69,938 64,729 1,508 1,336 1,280 1,177 1,145 829 784 780 932 23,651 15,051 12,963 11,097 10,226 7,314 5,100 3,957 2,980 1,647,431 869,346 729,833 680,649 666,075 379,411 240,626 167,699 109,270 26.42 25.72 27.48 26.20 27.61 32.54 28.32 25.96 26.62 66.43 1898-99 57.76 1897-98 56.34 1896-97 62.32 1895-95 54.38 1894-95 51.87 1893-94 .. . . 47.18 1892-93 42.38 1891-92 36.67 Extent of Telegraph System op Japan and Number op Domestic Telegrams Forwarded. [From official reports of the Japanese Government.] YEAES. Length of lines, ri.« Length of wires, ri. • NDMBEK OF TELEGEAM3 FOEWAEDED. Number of telegrams per Paid. Franked. Total. 100 of popu- lation. 5,688.23 5,295.91 6,139.03 4,720.27 3,881.49 3,846.06 3,709.46 3,465.77 24, 342. 73 20,661.91 18,360.94 16,431.86 12,212.29 11,502.79 10,232.06 9,920.99 12,929,887 14,129,286 12,998,679 10,199,184 8, 628, 264 7,730,711 6,158,158 5,132,427 1,637,329 1,213,249 981,193 658,469 468,838 390,251 286,305 228,025 14,567,216 15,342,535 13,979,872 10,867,653 9,097,102 8,120,962- 6, 444, 463 5,360,452 31.39 33.06 1897 98 30 41 24.96 1895-96 ■- 21 13 1894-95 19 24 15.32 1892 93 12.86 "Ei=2.44 miles. Note. — The figures in this table do not include submarine and subfluvial cables, 1,666 miles in length, with wires 1,690 miles long. Number op Foreign Telegrams Sent prom and Received in Japan, 1892-1900. [From official reports of the Japanese Government.] TELEGEAMS SENT. TELEGEAMS EECEIVED. Paid. Fra,Tiked. Total. Paid. Franked. Total. 178,122 147,507 144,304 109,745 136,297 103,034 49,686 47,791 18,439 13,668 11,836. 10,755 11,774 7,823 3,279 3,509 196,561 161,165 166, 140 120,600 148,071 110,857 52, 866 61,300 179,689 148,660 142,724 107,960 132,161 99,617 48,514 47,327 26,128 17,902 17,642 .13,037 32,892 28,438 10,267 7,016 205,717 166,622 1QQ7 Qfl 160,366 120, 997 166,063 127,965 58, 781 54,343 2352 COMIVIEEOIAL JAPAE. Eeceipts and Expendttuees of Post-Opfice and Tbleqraph Depaetmbnts of Japan, 1892-1899. [lYom official reports of the Japanese GoTemment.] [Deceubeb, EECEIPTS. EXPENDITUKES. fiscal years ending march 31— Post-Officc Department. Telegraphs and telephones. Total. Operating expenses. Other. Total. 1898-99 Ten. 8,589,990 7,689,812 6,772,645 5,820,680 5,186,957 4,426,398 3,835,839 Yen. 3,829,049 3,336,180 2, 599, 632 2,520,362 3,194,092 2,061,290 1,683,074 Yen. 12,419,039 11,025,492 9,372,277 8,341,042 8,381,049 6,487,688 5,518,913 Yen. 7,641,471 6,340,019 5,115,577 4,080,996 4,471,354 3,830,802 3,358,935 Yen. 2,338,683 1,793,680 1, 622, 2.57 1,352,829 1,339)706- 1,256,245 1,140,092 Yen. 9,930,154 1697-9S - 8,133,699 1896-97 , 6,737,834 189.3-9S ■ " 5,433,826 1894-95 6,811,060 1893-94 5,087,047 1892-93 4, 499, 027 Number of Telephone Stations and Extent of Telephone System, Receipts and Expendituebs, 1891-1900. yeaes. Number of oftices. Number ol branches. Number of em- .ployees. Length of lines. Length of wires. Cost of construc- tion. Number of sub- scribers. Receipts. Expend- itures. • 1899-1900 20 13 8 6 4 4 4 4 2- 52 40 30 25 24 24 24 20 18 1,118 778 472 311 201 190 165 100 51 m. 651.52 640.11 315.81 216. 54 177.61 176. 03 165.46 153.64 92.07 Si. 11,703.83 12,816.77 6,732.45 2,822.66 2,156.18 1,894.19 1,804.08 1,325.13 644.76 Yen. No data. 1,896,119 2,460,641 694,201 40,897 101,428 159,068 136,555 64,287 11,813 8,064 5,326 3,232 2,858 2,843 6,672 1,504 821 Yen. No data. 674,332 228,505 150,444 142,431 132,967 94,959 42,069 30,121 Yen. No data. 1898-99 324,038 1897 98 179, 612 1896-97 112,109 1895-93 90,117 1891-95 71,590 1893-94 . 52,849 1892-93 ., 32,722 1891-92 21,840 Number, Capital, Dividends, etc., of Japanese Banks. [From official reports of the Japanese Government.] BANKS. Num- ber. Paid-in capi- tal. Revenue. Net earnings. Dividends. FOE EVEEY 100 YEN OF CAPITAL. Net earn- ings. Dividends. Nippon Ginko (Bank of Japan) , 1 1 1 45 1,526 631 Yen. 80,000,000 12,000,000 2,600,000 15,980,365 207,565,381 19,979,151 Yen. 13,320,000 8,016,038 Yen. 5,366,870 6,184,561 238,126 948,067 29,903,856 2,357,267 Yen. 3,600,000 4,687,500 170,000 712,371 16,732,810 1,209,266 Yen. 17.86 5L54 9.63 5.93 14.41 15.28 Yen. 12.00 Yokohama Sliokin Ginko (Bank oi ^sue) 39.06 Nippon Kv/'aDRio Ginko (Bank of Industry of Japan) 6 80 74,221 27,5,53,216 2,188,083 4.46 8 38 7.84 Total ('1S991 2, 105 288,024,897 51,151,558 44, 988, 747 27,111,947 15.87 9 66 X898 - - - 1,.S75 1..W1 l,l«l 1, 019 806 2.57,447,002 211,047,470 167,271,488 127,807,715 101,409,881 40,795,138 36,116,252 65,353,268 34, 623, 618 30,231,153 38,277,336 44,022,320 46,422,600 26,282,162 17,453,796 20, 966, 022 18,748,876 14, 559, 163 16,576,158 10,204,116 16.44 21.77 27.93 20.58 17.22 8 25 9.35 9.08 1895 13 53 10.37 Specie put in Circulation in Japan from 1870 to 1899-1900. [From ofificial reports ol the Japanese Government.] FISCAL YEARS. Gold coin. Silver coin. Nickel coin. Copper coin. Total. 1899-1900 1898-99 1897-'JS 1890-57 1895-9.i 1894^35 1893-94 1870 to 1892-93 Yen. 16, 491, 270 21, 385, 797 70,824,311 952,433 1,423,7,50 1, 683, 088 1, 364, 612 64,781,625 Yen. 5,500,000 17,000,000 10, 298, 085 12,927,034 20,007,377 28,539,445 13,177,375 125,608,710 Yen. 300, 000 750,000 600,000 650,000 51,500 850,000 720,000 4,767,349 Yen. 65,000 100, 000 12,418,061 Yen. 22, 356, 270 39,235,797 87,722,396 14,529,467 21,482,627 30,472,633 15,261,987 207,575,735 i 1901.3 OOMMEEOIAL JA^AiT. Papbk Money in Oxeculation in Japan from 1893 to 1898. [■From official reports of the Japanese Government,] 2353 DATES. Treasury cer- tificates. National-bank notes. Dakan ginken. » Total. On April 1,1900 Yen. 2,199,453 5,112,265 6,995,374 9,045,082 10,679,236 13,020,517 15,704,773 19,200,044 Yen. 594,476 1,632,818 4, 099, 370 13,610,995 20,293,887 21,300,375 22,28.5,739 23,023,657 Yen. 219, 741, 090 179,769,782 189,421,770 173, 473, 749 149,035,640 124,524,590 110, 493, 394 100,230,963 Yai. 222, 535, 019 On April 1,1899 186, 614, 865 On April l,li-98 20J, 516, 514 On April 1, 1897 195, 129, 826 On April 1, 1896 ISO, OOR, 763 On April 1,1895 158,815,482 On April 1,1S34 148,483,906 On April 1,1893 143, 054, 664 « Notes issued by the Bank of Japan and payable to the holder in silver (in gold since October 1, 1897). NuMBEE OF Companies, Coepokations, etc., and Thbie Paid-in Capital, in Japan fhom 1894 to 1898. [From official reports of the Japanese Government.] YEAES. AGEICTTLTURAL COM- PANIES. MANnFACTUKING COMPANIES. OOMMEECIAL COM- PANIES. TRANSPORTATION COM- PANIES, LAND,SE A, ETC. TOTAL. Num- ber. Paid-in capital. Num- ber. Paid-in capital. Num- ber. Paid-in capital. Num- ber. Paid-in capital. Num- ber. Paid-in capital. 1898 166 148 »117 »126 "118 Yen. 2,336,720 2,229,627 1,666,160 1,522,409 1,188,203 2,164 1,881 1,366 944 778 Yzn. 122,066,653 105,381,100 89,900,900 58,728,656 44,589,762 4,178 3,630 i>2,778 "1,151 ■998 Yen. 300,039,664 260, 227, 479 1- 192, 780, 71 2 ■23,835,358 ■20,014,874 536 454 334 337 210 Yen. 197,233,421 161,681,165 113,216,760 89,960,835 82,560,279 7,044 6,113 i'4,595 2,458 2,104 Yen.. 621,676,458 532, .522, 377 11.397 564 532 1897 . 1896 1895 174,047,258 148,353,118 1894 ■ Exolu.sive of banks, for which see table relative to banks. ^ Including number of banks and their paid-in capital. Tlius the figures for 1896 for commercial companies, as well as the totals for that year, are not com- mensurate with the corresponding ones of the preceding years. NnuBEE AND Paid-up Capital op Cokpoeations in Japan on Decembee 31, 1894 to 1898. [From ofncial reports of the Japanese Government.] 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 CLASSES OF CORPORATIONS. Number of cor- porations Paid-up capital. Number of cor- porations Paid-up capital. Number of cor- porations Paid-up capital. Number of cor- porations Paid-up capital. Number of cor- porations Paid up capital. Agricultural: Raising of silkworms -^ 31 21 23 43 Yen. 190, 038 108,103 245, 136 644, 926 29 23 15 56 Yen. 104,991 227, 725 177, 765 1,011,928 31 20 19 47 Yen. 177,435 179, 875 600,678 708,172 48 21 29 50 Yen. 421,867 112,551 614,225 1,080,984 53 20 38 55 Yen. 118,399 101 930 Pasturing Fishing 673' 567 All other 1,4421834 Total 118 1,188,203 125 1,622,409 117 1,666,160 148 2,229,627 166' Manufacturing; Silk 158 53 48 30 38 12 15 19 34 70 9 11 22 252 2, 064, 174 14,337,596 3,915,752 7,234,080 1,253,030 703, 305 244,268 1,210,662 2,780,480 576,215 619,476 973, 664 1,267,570 2,379,193 5, 027, 097 185 64 60 33 36 7 15 20 24 46 67 10 11 26 340 2,300,917 19, 612, 622 3,595,875 11,513,121 1,322,300 665, 621 333,455 1,514,100 2,690,320 .649,320 920,382 1,012,974 1,302,365 8,152,1«5 8,206,128 259 76 103 34 62 9 10 25 28- 63 88 17 14 37 541 3,869,677 28,770,847 4,204,949 8,585,660 , 2, 056, 895 1,474,106 257,030 2,249,734 2,872,793 690,067 1,754,369 9,500,000 1,330,000 4,624,097 17,660,576 274 85 187 35 125 5 9 33 31 72 70 28 16 42 869 3,292,877 34,106,083 9,171,8=5 5,060,637 3,901,196 1, 667, 570 236,300 2,641,750 4, 685, 025 846,588 2,281,432 4,210,002 2,704,800 6,610,714 24,934,237 276 82 180 37 . 168 7 15 42 47 84 53 27 21 . 51 1,071 36, 659, 872 9, 547, 293 10 067 500 Mining 5 107 ''2'^ 2, 07.'>, 672 356 '-'30 Salt makine: X)riigs 3,101,8.50 6, 610, 405 1,032,828 Petroleum 2 .575 444 Coal 4,949 963 3, 733, 221 6, 487, 676 All other 25,810,827 Total 778 44, 589, 762 944 58, 728, 656 1,366 89,900,900 1,881 105,381,106 2,164 122,060,653 Commercial: 27 5 38 12 232 56 628 815,683 486, OOO 949, 861 915, 000 3,895,850 3,768,681 9,193,899 30 6 V 52 13 222 102 727 1,202,830 324, 500 1,287,750 1,465,348 3,664,240 4,473,235 11,527,455 51 28 42 17 1,277 120 1,243 1,476,355 1,420,191 1,630,270 2, 157, 250 146,008,482 7,405,741 32,682,423 89 33 110 24 1,683 103 1,688 3,271,887 2,739,690 4,008,081 2,040,650 203,657,758 10,314,374 34,195,039 109 30 118 29 1,806 94 1,992 3,594,480 1,263,520 3,945,185 1,943 855 Banks and credit institutions , 243,882,672 9, 247, 726 All other 36, 1 67, 726 Total 998 20,014,874 1,151 23,835,358 2,778- 192,780,712 3,630 260,227,479 4, 178 300, 039, 664 Transportation: ^pfL find river transnortation 81 32 97 13,887,310 65,973,398 2,699,571 97 30 110 13,695,009 73,252,797 3,013,029 101 57 176 20,232,475 90,103,974 2,880,311 148 64 242 31,654,388 130,663,015 2,366,762 196 64 276 38, 398, 588 165,881,965 All other 2,952,868 Total 210 82,560,279 237 89,960,835 334 113,216,700 454 164,684,166 636 197,233,421 Total 2,104 148,353,118 2,468 174,047,268 4,596 397,564,582 6,113 532,522,377 7,044 621,676,458 2354 OOMMEEOIAl JAPA23,181 20 745 63 455 lOS 1,224 158 269 327 1,478 5,903 195 6,796 148 6,362 132 6, 654 107 3,451 98 3,001 94 3,417 84 3,246 85 12, 820 1,049 11, 472 1,040 10, 399 87S 8,783 818 8,254 745 8,114 737 8,062 732 7,950 619 2,696 41 217 378 294 202 383 230 569 25 5,090 317 110 75 30 *P 309 72 143 196 144 ■ 66 11, 296 794 450 686 460 136 26 677 313 880 SO 145 4 3,946 25 465 108 40 :s 48 412 269 327 1,224 2,232 645 390 152 1,187 20, 041 1,244 20, 774 1,194 16, 761 1,010 15, 337 925 11,705 843 11,115 831 11,479 816 11, 202 704 • Girls. li Includes scholars and fellows. 1901.] OOMMEEGIAL JAPA¥. 2357 ' RjTANCES OF THE. Japanese Goveesmbnt. IFrom official sources of the Japanese Government.] RECEIPTS OF THE TEEASUEY. EECEIPTS FEOM VABIOUS SOURCES. CLOSED ACCOUNTS. OPEN ACCOUNTS. BUDGET ESTIMATES. 1898-94 1894-95 1895-96 1896-97 1897-98 1898-99 1899-1900 1900-1801 Ordinary receipts: Land tax Ym. 38,808,680 1,238,763 Yen: 39,291,495 1,353,518 Yen. 38,692,868 1,497,095 Yen. ■ 37,640,235 1,810,212 52 19,476,404 10,732,060 6,728,323 17,768,679 6,377,106 1,108,435 1,548,193 Yen. 37,964,727 2,096,092 4,416,248 31,105,172 11,311,098 8,020,513 19,772,916 5,970,689 2,030,830 1,535,679 Yen. 38,440,980 2,351,420 6,478,016 32,959,996 9,306,413 9,092,592 25,410,061 6,163,095 2,548,046 1,099,000 Yen. 44,797,669 4,756,867 6,496,646 48,689,368 5,826,990 15,936,791 34,709,059 11,935,531 2,553,284 2,024,281 23,333 Yen. 47,338,520 6,037,428 6,865,475 Inc^ome tax Patents Tax on the manufacture of sake 16,637,436 8,194,512 6,125,372 U, 743,268 16,130,471 8,765,639 6,765,456 14,116,733 17,748,735 9,973,286 6,786,640 15,951,093 Other Internal imposts 6,613,205 15,870,335 41,232,070 11,445,320 1,232,380 2,478,370 461,310 Custom duties Public domain and industrial.undertajjings . Stamp duties Sundry receipts 3,221,835 913,214 3,308,534 1,036,608 3,727,878 1,068,057 Interest on deposits Funds devoted to the reduction of the debt lueurred for public works of Taiwan Revenues of Taiwan 2,711,823 Funds devoted to public Instruction 700,000 Total 85.883,080 89,748,454 95,444,652 104,901,522 124,222,964 132, 849, 617 176,749,819 193,730,180 Proceeds of gifts made by private individuals 19,115 678,968 346,031 78,060 1,646,492 150 665,683 156,718 28,900 646,356 294,167 488 1,822,714 19,676 1,111,031 1,398,703 1,685 1,781,771 741,430 324,400 2,976,600 11,789,389 1,439,790 20,000 827,800 391,464 215,000 816,916 825,579 Proceeds of the sale of puolic domain . . 922,500 3,862,263 1,074 836,907 822,524 398,200 36,389,874 40,360,796 410,106 820,147 622,136 . Sundry receipts Amount assigned to defray the expense of printing and issuing Government bonds war 1,716,348 1,607 816,148 664,869 35,352,806 46,187,071 28,551 garrison of Wei-Hai-Wei districts for local public works - 637,282 35,172,362 32,638,630 51,576 3, 000, 000 1,246,976 32,183,6.50 23,762,739 Loans Chinese indemnity Funds of the central institution to help the famine- stricken districts 390,464 145,252 155,069 nitv : Funds devoted to administrative expenses of State for- ests 347,337 1,778,778 27, 411, 910 337, 500 7,300 3,200,000 4,728 296,558 Temporary loan Balance of funds destined to the redemption of the paper money-of closed banks Amoimtleft over from the preceding fiscal year , ... 24,727,171 5,748,423 20,041,385 33,115,535 18,162,915 2,711,279 Total 27,886,301 1 8,421,574 22,988,069 82,111,920 102,167,159 87,204,504 76,932,537 60,819,638 Total 113 769 381 1 9ft T7n naft 1 lift 439 791 1 ift7 n\^ d49 226,890,123 220 0,54 121 1-9.^5 R89 Q_f^fi 254,549,818 ' ' ' ' * „, — , — EXPENDITURES OF THE TREASURY. CLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURE. Ordinary expenditures: Civil list Public debt - Imperial cabinet and privy council . Chambers of peers and of deputies. . . Ministry of — Foreign affairs... Interior Finance War Marine Justice Public instruction Agriculture and commerce Communication : Colonies Board of auditors Court of administrative litigation . . . Provincial administration Reserve of the treasury Total - Extraordinary expenditures: Civil list Ministry of — Foreign affairs Interior Finance War Marine Justice - - - Public instruction Agriculture and commerce . Communication Colonies Total. Total. No. 6- -1^ CLOSED ACCOUNTS. 1893-94 Yen. 3, 000, 000 19,455,918 472, 221 394, 753 623, 982 2, 904, 834 4, 429, 240 12, 419, 829 5,141,475 3,451,911 932, 502 928,942 5,469,524 125, 815 37, 321 4,757,272 64,545,599 19,264 11,465,283 1,185,170 2,301,397 2,959,446 75, 561 135, 241 493, 177 1,401,734 20,036,273 84,581,872 1894-95 Yen. 3, 000, 000 19,721,143 427, 790 610, 961 718, 627 2, 820, 689 4,539,428 7,828,074 4,573,605 3,387,608 923, 384 862, 344 6,171,236 126, 716 36, 614 4,673,337 60,421,316 311, 888 2,426,652 4,748,661 2, 880, 862 5, 679, 549 51, 648 125, 305 333, 905 1,449,027 17,707,297 78, 128, 643 1895-96 Yen. 3, 000, 000 24, 190, 858 487, 993 551, 647 1,047,050 2, 862, 265 4, 539, 783 8, 410, 212 4,913,244 3, 339, 542 1,047,010 909, 745 7,043,260 126, 188 39, 255 4, 649, 965 1896-97 Yen. 3, 000, 000 30, 504, 172 513, 729 555,313 1,216,104 1,544,468 6, 635, 465 22, 613, 590 7,351,330 3,452,933 1, 422, 389 1,142,498 8,262,078 7, 583, 928 144, 966 40, 237 4,732,687 67,148,007 100,715,887 1897-98 Yen. 3, 000, 000 29,504,731 464, 679 416, 817 1, 445, 849 1, 581, 695 8, 470, 272 28, 746, 263 9, 543, 889 3,543,489 1, 985, 729 1, 364, 923 10,629,496 1, 817, 024 193, 583 40,797 4, 945, 991 107, 695, 127 300, 986 3, 668, 978 2,051,804 1, 606, 723 8, 607, 025 77, 259 106, 105 325, 975 1,425,317 18, 169, 172 85,317,179 700,000 173, 674 11, 026, 291 2,579,837 30,628,934 12,654,428 162, 896 327, 095 488,032 4,738,173 4, 662, 262 68,140,622 168,866,509 118,459 10, 326, 660 10, 224, 769 31,401,725 40,850,645 215, 016 626,870 1,514,188 11,475,956 9, 230, 429 115, 983, 717 223,678,844 OPEN ACCOUNTS. 1898-99 Yen. 3, OOO; 000 28,379,828 406, 660 705, 730 1,641,557 1,874,761 9,002,239 32,562,072 11,191,475 3, 825, 687 2, 336, 691 1, 644, 371 14,516, OOO 1,915,7.51 200,405 39,876 5,830,641 119,072,144 126, 186 7,159,593 6, 143, 094 21,335,581 47,338,427 310, 088 658,703 2,312,004 9,406,803 5,895,947 100,685,425 219, 757, 569 1899-1900. Yen. 3, 000, 000 34, 278, 956 367, 483 1,251,713 1, 929, 427 4, 555, 312 10,849,104 35, 422, 674 14, 872, 638 4,962,178 3,032,753 1,777,358 14,931,761 200, 067 43, 031 6,140,186 137, 314, 631 BUDGET ESTIMATES. 1900-1901 101,932 17, 261, 226 6, 764, 053 16,876,232 47, 066, 796 480,453 1, 199, 741 4,918,965 21,688,812 116,348,210 253, 662, 841 Yen. 3, 000, 000 35, 068, 193 358, 683 1,277,913 2, 189, 823 7, 527, 222 9, 764, 086 37,309,975 17,513,354 4, 882, 118 4,478,278 280, 314 17,507,512 202, 131 44, 096 6,004,836 3,000,000 150,408,534 81,388 16, 041, 460 5, 229, 385 15, 626, 910 23, 409, 526 357,726 2, 010, 616 10,520,646 29,864,527 102, 141, 284 254,549,818 2358 COMMEEOIAL JAPAIf. [Dbcembee, 1901.] Public Debt of Japan, 1890-91 to 1899-1900. [From oSicial sources. End o£ the fiscal year, i. e., March 31.] DESCRIPTION OF DEBT. 1890-91 1891-92 1892-98 1898-94 1894-95 1895-96 1896-!, i 1897-98 1898-99 1899-1900 Loan called "Kiukosal," or "old debt." Without interest (debt of the old "Han" or "Daimio"). ... .' Yen. 6,803,090 10,541,275 11,890,000 30,760,020 24,102,405 16,091,245 10,700,200 19,980,000 17,000,000 88,182,300 2,000,000 Yen. 6,583,035 10,535,926 11,850,600 30,750,020 24,082,705 Yen. 6,364,181 10,525,925 1,955,800 30,740,020 8,328,530 Yen. 6,144,726 8,530,375 Yen. 6,925,272 7,831,100 Yen. 6,705,817 4,173,200 Yen. 5,486,363 Yen. 5,266,908 Yen. 5,047,454 Yen. 4,827,999 Loan called "Shinkosai," or "new debt" Loan for retiring the "Kinsatsu," 6 per cent. Loan called " Kmroku " (f or redeeming the feudal pensions), 5 per cent Loan called " Kinroku" (for redeeming the 30,730,020 30,397,120 30,211,120 29,823,320 29,453,820 26,046,920 25,428,650 Loan called " Kinroku " (for redeeming the Loan for public undertakings, 6 per cent. . . Loan for the construction of the Nakasendo 10,680,200 13,923,900 16,990,000 109,858,100 2,000,000 Loan for naval armaments, 5 per cent 16,980,000 154,483,000 2,000,000 16,970,000 166,482,450 2,000,000 2,000,000 16,960,000 166,482,460 16,950,000 168,472,450 15,006,000 172,061,700 9, 288, 600 173,857,260 9,222,600 169, 293, 050 8,796,600 168, 6S3, 600 Loan for covering additional cxpediture in the construction of railways, 5 per cent . . Loan for the construction of railways, 5 per 4,000,000 6,000,000 '10,000,000 17,807,350 1, 000, 000 124,572,000 38,000,000 17,907,360 1,000,000 124,835,750 87,900,000 34,042,700 3,419,950 30,101,230 109,044,000 121, 724, 000 3, 000, 000 233, 752 116,576,450 119,181,300 New foreign loan, 7 per cent 6,180,120 4,488,624 3,748,816 2,957,280 2,ii6,ii2 1,203,408 Total 243,230,655 241,743,709 235,126,272 235,814,851 263,807,284 341,J59,995 357,335,135 399,245,928 391,263,124 480,967,249 Loan for the suppression of the revolt, 7i 10,000,000 22,000,000 10,000,000 22,000,000 10,000,000 22,000,000 10,000,000 22,000,000 10,000,000 22,000,000 20,500,000 13,020,517 8,000,000 22,000,000 37,900,000 10,679,236 4,000,000 22,000,000 27,000,000 9,045,082 Loan for the redemption of the paper money ( i"ithout interest) 22,000,000 22,000,000 22,000,000 Paper money "in ciioul "ation 31,370,072 25,702,384 19,200,044 15,701,773 6,995,374 6,ii2,265 2,199,4.53 300,600,727 299,446,093 286,326,316 283,519,624 329,327,801 420,339,231 419,380,217 428,241,302 418,363,389 .505,166,702 Note.— The above stateinent relates to conditions at the close of the fiscal year which ends March 31.