48th June.
Wuar are the natural wealth and resources of Japan, and what is or can be done by Japanese and foreigners to develop them is a question that cannot but be of considerable interest to all who have to do with commercial matters in the Far East The subject is ably discussed in a little brochure that has been sent to us from Yokohama by the author, Mr. F. Schroeder, consisting of papers originally published in the " Eastern World."" The author has evidently given a considerable amount of time and attention to the investigation of the subject, and the information given is of a very practical kind, Speaking of the silk industry which is, of course, the principal one in Japan, the assertion is made that. the raw silk industry would not offer a remunerative field for foreigners. Two reasons are given for this assumption, first, that land cannot be bought in fee simple by foreigners, and next, the native opposition that would necessarily he aroused, This it is presumed would be of so formidable a nature that only immense trusts with millions at their command eld hope to successfully contend against it. We feel inclined to take a somewhat less pessimistic view; at any rate, it may safely be assumed that the enterprising Westerner will not allow even the most formidable obstacles to permanently bar his commercial progress. In reference, however, to the former objection, an improvement in the laws relating to the holding of land by foreigners in the country would certainly tend to encourage them in making investments, which would probably be greatly conducive to the expansion of business and mercantile concerns, The same objections, apparently, hold good in reference to manufactured silk. If foreigners should have the temerity to enter this field to compete with the Japanese, there would be an immediate agitation against them, "the factory hands, in the expectation of having to do more work than in Japanese establishments, vould demand at least double wages, and the Japanese manufacturers would foment dissatisfaction and strikes, so that there would be no end of trouble." We are surprised to learn that our new allies are so intensely selfish that they look upon all profits by foreigners, legitimately gained though they may be, in the nature of a theft from their own pocket. This undesirable characteristic, we are assured, " precludes all pure business views of foreign enterprises in Japan." Attention is also drawn to the fact that the Japanese could not be trusted. Of the dearer classes of silk goods every yard has to be examined. before the piece can be packed for export. Frauds and cheats of every kind are attempted, and carelessness, 0 constitutional defect of the Japanese, only tends to make matters worse. "Noone has any sense of responsibility, which is only considered asa troublesome foreign invention." We ave not surprised after this to find the following conclusion arrived at:—* Considered as one of the re-satirees of Japan then, we find that the silk industry of the country is capable of development, but that owing to short-sighted legislation which prevents foreigners from owning ground in Japan upon which to conduct their enterprises, and owing to expected opposition and antiforeign agitation, neither foreign capital nor foreign silk manufacturers can enter the field with the hope of any profit to themselves."
In regard to the production of tea, another of the principal resources of Japan, the prospect is no brighter, as far as the foreigner is concerned: "There would be trouble about wages, strikes and disturbances, and the foreigner would be generally shown that he was not wanted." Whatis required to increase the market value of the tea is the introduction of improved machinery for its mmanufaeture, but the lack of capital, together with the indifference and indolence of the people, do not give much hope that this step will be taken. The melancholy conclusion from a Western commercial point of view is, that "whatever value as a national resource the production of tea in Japan has, for better or worse it must remain in the hands of the Japanese, to be developed at their own gait, and that it offers no inducement for the investment of foreign capital."
Speaking of the mining products of Japan, coal naturally claims the first consideration, being as it is the source of much present as well as prospective wealth, and the export of which has increased enormously during the last few years. Foreigners would be greatly handicapped in any attempt to compete with the Japanese mine owners who, it is said, obtain convict labour for nothing, but even if a nominal rate of pay be admitted, foreign competition would
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.