2264 COMMEECIAL JAPAlf. [December, 1901.] 



will enable us to produce electric power to run our manufactories. The country is 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 countrj' for manufacturing. And a proper combination of labor and capital in the superior organization of industrj' 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 countrj^ 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 grov.th in popularity in foreign 

 markets of our goods, as Avell 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 

 policy of the nation, its 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, like the United 

 States. 



Our country is young in commerce, and has a great opportunity to adopt the best methods and improvements, which other older 

 civilized countries got after many years of discussion and experience. If, as I stated in a pre^'ious chapter, to give laborers better 

 education, to improve manufactuiing industries, with better facilities of transportation, and to give a larger field for foreign trade will 

 not disturb the trade 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 nov/ hindei's the industry and burdens the 

 people, will be most willingly contributed by the 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 made 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. Now ia 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." 



