Japan's Consul in Seattle Sees a Steamship Line—and a Pacific Future

His Excellency Saburo Koya, the Japanese consul at San Francisco, arrived yesterday. He is a guest at the Rainier-Grand and is here studying the locality and acquainting himself with the Japanese residents.

To a reporter of the Post-Intelligencer last evening he answered many questions relative to himself and his country. Mr. Koya was graduated from the Imperial University and then came to the United States, where he took a course in civil law at Yale University, receiving the degree of doctor of civil laws. He then went to Oxford and studied international law for one year, when he was called home to become secretary of the privy council, which position he held for twelve months, being then transferred to the foreign office. Last August he was appointed to the charge of the consulate at San Francisco.

Speaking of his country he said: 'Trade between the United States and Japan is rapidly increasing and there is every prospect of great development in the near future, though as the Japanese fiscal year ends March 31 and our report on the condition of commerce is not yet out, I am unable to furnish any exact figures regarding the exports and imports.

'American flour has been making its way into China for some time now, and there is no reason why it should not find a good market in Japan if put into the hands of the proper people for introducing throughout the country. Raw hides and dressed cedar should sell readily if placed with the right dealers.

'As to the new treaty with the United States I am not yet in receipt of official information, but should not be surprised if it were in effect practically by July 1 of this year.

'The Chinese war indemnity which will be paid to Japan may not exceed 125,000,000, in which case a number of Chinese ports will probably be opened and far better commercial relations favoring Japan will be established between the two countries lately at war. America and European countries may then take advantage by applying the most favored nation clause of the present treaty, and enter Japan with practically no restriction except that against obtaining absolute title to land.

'The Nippon Yusen Kwaisha, the largest steamship company in Japan, is investigating the practicability of a line between Yokohama and the Sound. The government will be willing to aid the company, but to just what extent is as yet not determined.

'This part of the world is well suited to Japanese settlers, if such are desired, and under their methods of cultivation would yield rich returns. There is much that can be done by such immigrants without in any way interfering with the opportunities of native Americans.'

Being questioned regarding newspaper reports that many Japanese of distinction were undergoing surgical operations to remove the slant of their eyes, Mr. Koya laughed and said that it was absurd. The men did not care so much about their faces, and the women preferred the slant.

Saburo Koya will leave this afternoon for Portland, and will then proceed to San Francisco, where important matters will demand his attention.