Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 6.djvu/235

RV 207 tion was four hundred per cent, and seldom less than three hundred per cent, and such a fluctuation caused much inconvenience to the consuming classes. Attributing it to the advent of foreigners and the opening of new markets, the people at first regarded over-sea commerce with disfavour. This objection did not long remain effective, however, for on the other side were ranged the producers who received from foreign buyers such prices as they had never before realised. Marine products, raw silk, and tea were the chief staples of export at first. It has already been shown that for several centuries Japan's over-sea trade had been under the control of the Government, to whose coffers it contributed a substantial revenue. When the foreign exporter entered the field under the conditions created by the new system, he diverted to his own pocket the handsome profits hitherto accruing to the Government, and since the latter could not easily become reconciled to this loss of revenue, or wean itself from its traditional habit of interference in affairs of foreign commerce, whereas the foreigner, on his side, not only desired secrecy in order to prevent competition, but was also tormented by inveterate suspicions of Oriental espionage, not a little friction occurred from time to time. Thus the impression suggested by the scanty records of that early era is that trade was beset with great difficulties, and that the foreigner had to contend against most adverse