In 1892 China imported from the United States 85.859.000 yards of cotton. and in 1898 only 27.706 000 Te From En landChina impor n 189 nearly 500.000.000 yards. and in 898 only 86.00.. .yars. ConsulGeneral Jernigan states that the industrial development of the Orient is fast becoming a matter for serious thought. and says: "The enterprising Japanese have. within a few years. established locks and machine shops for the building of mediumsized war ships. and each subsequent year has witnessed fewer orders going to foreign markets for naval supplies. Soon from the naval shops of Japan will be launched as strong war shie as breast the waves of Asiatic seas. and ere a distant ear the forces of civiliation which have moved Japan so rapidly on lines of progress will be activey and practically at work in China. The awakening of the "middle kingdom here predicted will put to sleep forever the customs which have for centuries dominated China. as it will call into hfe new principles to govern her foreign and domestic relations. The thoughtful statesman and merchant will prepare for the solution of the new political and commercial problems. These problems are now claiming the attention of the business men of Great Britain. and the fact that the China Mutual Steamship N~avigation Company. of London. is having Its vessels repaired in China and Japan is regarded as being of serious significance to British labor and as an evidence of its being displaced by the cheaper labor of China and Japan. recen meeting of the Peninsular and Oriental Steamship Company the belief was expressed by a member that gentlemen then present might live to see the companys mail steamers built on the Yangsate in China instead of on the Clyde. the Tees. or the Tyne. And it is worthy of note thai the large majority of the sailors and servants on the foreign steamships that carrythe mails across Oriental seas are of the Asiatic races. their employment being due to the cheapness of their wages. for an Asiatic works today at Cohalf of the wages in gold. though at the same wages in silver. that he did twenty years ago. whereas wages in the United States and Great Britain have not materially depreciated from the wages paid in gold twenty years ago. As to commodities in Great Britain and the United States. the average prices are the lowes of the century weile the average prices comparatively of twent leadin commodities of Chineseproduction were nearly the same in Shangai in 18 3 as they were in 1878. anda higher degree of prosperity in China and Ja an has accompanied this stability n prices. William aCurtis int sea Jar of th e Bulletin of the Department of Labor. says: "Japan is becoming less and less dependent upon foreign nations for the necessities and comforts of life. and is making her own gods with the greatest skill and ingenuity.