At the present moment individual Russians are visiting Japan, and be established in Harbin, will considerably facilitate the interchange ing of views and ideas of traders of both nation for furthering the commercial interests of their respective countries, and once put on a proper business basis should Prove most useful to its members.
Before the project can be successfully realized it in necessary that the representatives of Japanese firms in Harbin signify their willingness to join this new Chamber. otherwise aims of the body cannot. be attained, for it is'mutual cooperation that is required.
Desire to Oust the Teuton, The anxiety that is now being ex hibited throughout Russia by her industrial and mercantile classes to promote industrial progress, through the outbreak of the world war and the complete cutting off of the chief sources of supply, Germany and Austria, give thought for reflexion even to British commercial communities throughout the Russi i termined after the termination of the war to boycott the manufactures and products of her present ener and is endeavouring at the present time to find new markets both for her imports and exports, which, ae cording to the Russian Trade Returns for 1912, amounted to £123,- 687,000 and £234,050,000 respectively and out of which total Germany bought £46,000,000 of goods and sold £54,000,000 worth, whilst Aus-trio bought £7,500,000 and sold £3,500,000. The attitude of officials, merchants and the nation generally makes it clear that this former Teutonic trade is now open to all friendly countries to capture.
Russian newspapers are publishing statistics and details as to the imports from Germany, and the "Russkoye Slowa" of Moscow is devoting pages to diagrams, carefully compiled by experts, in' order to show in detail the principal imports from Germany, which, according to their figures, amount for the first half year in 1914 to 496 per cent. of all Russia's imports.
The only means of inlet and egress for supplies to Russia is through Manchuria at the pres: moment, and though goods have be transported for thousands of miles by railroad, the railway freight will not be prohibitive, for it is expected, as the Russian Gov ernment has contracted to supply both Great Britain and France with millions of boods of cereals and grains which are to be exported through Vladivostok, that the present low tariffs prevalent will further reduced considerably in order to secure return freight for the thousands of goods cars that are to be sent eastwards, What Russia Requires.
The question that will naturally be asked by foreign traders resident in Asia is "What can we supply Russia with 1" To give an exhaustive list would require too much space, and occupy a great deal of time in order to draw up detailed figures. It is possible, however, to give some idea of some of the Principal requirements of the coun: try.
There is considerable activity in textiles, large spinning mills existing for flax, wool, silk and cotton. These mills largely use the staple grown products of Russia's Asiatic Provinces. Nevertheless, wool, cot: ton and silk yarns form an important item of imports, so that all these raw products that exis throughout Asia will find a ready sale in Russia.
The manufacture of leather is also conducted on a large scale, though the demand is far in excess of the output, hence there is a constant demand for skins, hides, ete., whilst furs of all sorts always find market. Imports of rubber for the manufacture of guttapercha and india rubber articles have increased considerably, whilst the import of straw-braids has hitherto been through Germany.
The Asiatic drug crops can supply the many wants of the Russian druggist who has relied solely on the German for his supply, whilst efforts are being made in Russia to build up an industry for the produetier. of chemicals, dye stuffs and drug products. Oils, tallow, fats, etc. are needed, as well as coffee. pepper, manila and a host of other spices.
A Good Ohanee for Britain, All the above mentioned articles have for years been handled by British firms trading in the Far East, and there is no reason why this immense new field, full of op-Portunities, should not be tapped without further delay, for now is the opportunity for an almost immeasurable development of mutual trade relationships and the real urgency for recognizing the desires of Russia by taking immediate steps to meet her requirement for the goodwill of both her official world and the millions they govern is to be had at the asking. ginal fror
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.