I merely direct attention to this proposed policy to show what the native
press of Japan (which, like the press in America, largely reflects public
sentiment) are thinking and saying on the subject of our trade relations. As
to “raw materials,” the quid pro quo argument for
reciprocity might be practicable if the exchange of products was of even
value. As it is, we already admit over sixteen million dollars’ worth “raw
silk” duty free, while Japan only buys in toto from
our people a little over two millions, two-thirds of which is kerosene—on
which duty is paid.
[Inolosure in No. 282—From the Japan
Gazette, Yokohama, January 26, 1887.]
The rapidity with which Japanese trade with the United States is
increasing, and the future importance of the American market to Japanese
industries, are highly appreciated by the Japanese people, who have
lately shown much energy in promoting commercial relations with their
great neighbor. In the latest issue of the Tokyo Keizai Zasshi a
suggestion of a reciprocal nature is made, which, if adopted, is thought
would be the means of further increasing the import and export trade
with the United States. Japan is urged to ask America to abolish the
import duty on silk manufactures entering the country from Japan, but in
doing so the latter is first to show her good-will by exempting kerosene
oil from the payment of duty altogether. This latter step is to be taken
in order to induce the United States Government to concede to Japan’s
desire by way of reciprocity. It says: The exportation of our
manufactured silk goods to the United States has made marked progress of
late; and it is a notable fact that the activity that now prevails at
Ashikaga, Kiribu, Nishijin, and other weaving districts is mainly
attributable to the increasing exportation of silk stuffs produced
there. Our Government must not, therefore, miss the opportunity thus
presented for cementing our commercial relations with America. The
policy of the United States of imposing protective duties on imported
European goods, which are of excellent quality, may, in a manner, be
reasonable, though peculiar in the abstract, but no one can discover the
reason why protective duties should be imposed on goods imported from an
infant country like Japan. America can, in fact, produce better articles
than Japan, Japanese-made handkerchiefs and neck-ties, for example, are
only imitations of American goods, and as Japanese artisans have but
imperfect skill, their manufactures are naturally inferior in brilliancy
and color to American-made goods. It is strange, therefore, that a
country commanding superior skill should impose protective duties on
inferior goods produced in another country. America, however, already
allow sour raw silk and tea to be imported without the payment of duty,
and we must, in consequence, do something in return for the favor the
United States will confer by exempting Japanese silk stuffs from the
present import duty of 50 per cent. This can be best done by abolishing
the duty on kerosene oil. This oil now constitutes one of the imported
articles most generally used; therefore, by allowing it to be imported
free of duty the people of Japan will be able to procure it at a reduced
price, and will feel as grateful as if an article of food had been
relieved from a Government tax. We need hardly say that the
[Page 659]
benefits to be derived from
the step suggested will be enjoyed by both Americans and Japanese. the
Government should, therefore, propose to the United States Government
that as we are willing to abolish the duty on keresene oil imported from
their country, they ought to reciprocate and abolish all duties on
Japanese manufactured silks entering America. If the negotiations
succeed in bringing about this end no small benefit will result to the
two countries. Japan is a silk-producing country, and thoughtful people
hope Ashikaga, Kiribu, or Noshijin will be the future Manchester or
Lyons of Japan. Hitherto, the fluctuation in prices and the consequent
disturbances in the market have prevented the development of the silk
industry, but now matters have changed; the economical affairs of the
country are in good order, and the industry has commenced to improve. It
is therefore gratifying in the extreme to see at this juncture the
exportation of manufactured silk goods increasing; and if the duty of 50
per cent. on this class of articles imported into America be abolished,
a great impetus will be given and the future prosperity of the Japanese
industry secured. The import duty in America does not, however, give so
much trouble as the tedious formalities attending the levying of the
tax, which are indeed almost unendurable to Japanese merchants, who
often lose good opportunities of disposing of their goods by the delay
occasioned. Moreover, if the United States wishes to stand as a
commercial country in the world she had better count Japan as one of the
producing districts supplying her market. Tokio freely admits raw and
manufactured silk from Maebashi, Fukushima, etc., considering those
places as the producing districts for her market, from which latter she
distributes the goods throughout the Empire. The United States should be
to Japan what Tokio is to Maebashi, Fukushima, etc. From the above
observations it is needless to say that little consideration is required
to perceive the mistake the United States Government makes in levying
protective duties on Japanese imported goods.
