Page:Japan by the Japanese (1904).djvu/511

that, whereas the total foreign commerce of Japan in 1889, less the cost of steamers and ships’ gear purchased abroad, was 133,000,000 yen, the value of the goods carried by Japanese vessels represented only 10,125,000 yen, or less than one-twelfth of the total. In 1899, however, out of an aggregate foreign commerce of 428,000,000 yen (similar corrections being applied on account of ships and gear), Japanese vessels carried 140,000,000 yen worth, or one-third of the total.

These facts indicate pretty clearly that much attention and energy have been devoted by our people to the line of enterprise. Nor is the progress confined to a mere augmentation of the mercantile fleet. There has also been a corresponding development of the people’s attitude for navigation, which the policy of isolation referred to above had necessarily checked. Considerable proficiency has certainly been attained in the art of navigation, as well as in that of engineering. This may be illustrated by saying that, in 1899, Japanese certificates of competency in navigation and engineering were held by 13,088 Japanese subjects, whereas the number of foreigners holding such certificates had fallen to 302. In fact, the necessity of employing foreigners in responsible positions on vessels owned by Japanese is rapidly disappearing.

Establishments essential to the success of maritime enterprise are not wanting in Japan. More than ten dock companies have been organized, exclusive of the Government yards, and some of these have docks capable of accommodating vessels of from 8,000 to 10,000 tons. Some of these also undertake the building of ships. Among the latter the Mitsu Bishi Company is the largest. During the past few years they have constructed the Hitachi Maru, the Awa Maru, and the Kaga Maru for the Nippon Yusen Kaisha, all of which are steamers of more than 6,000 tons.

Such is Japan’s present condition with regard to maritime enterprise, nor does it seem difficult to predict the future lying before her. It may be confidently asserted that her people fully realize the necessity of possessing a large fleet, not merely in the interests of the country’s commercial independence, but also for military and naval reasons. Further, they are fully alive to the fact that the eyes of the commercial and industrial world are turned toward the growing markets of China, Siberia, and Eastern Asia in general, and that shipping companies and firms of Germany, America, and other countries are already seeking a footing in this part of the world by extending trunk lines or by opening feeding lines. They are also fully sensible of the changes that will probably result from the completion of the great Siberian Railway. These facts, considered in conjunction with the activity Japan has already displayed in