Expenditures of the Russo-Japanese war / by Gotaro Ogawa.

EFFECTS ON COMMERCE

I85

trade in military medical supplies was prosperous, the
sale of chemicals used in industry fell 12 per cent.
(7) Hardware. The proceeds fell nearly 26 per cent
through decrease in the making of machinery and tools.
(8) Sugar. As a result of the increase of taxation and
more economical living on the part of the people, the
proceeds from the sale of sugar decreased about 10 per
cent.
(9) Fertilizers. Decrease of proceeds was I8 per cent,
owing to the weakening of the purchasing power of
farmers.
(io) Timber. Decrease in sale was I4 per cent through
postponement or suspension of engineering and building
work.
(I ) Contract work. Decrease in the amount of
contracts was 43 per cent.
(12) Sake. Decrease in sale was 21 per cent, because
parting banquets connected with the war could not
counterbalance the stringent economy of the people.
(13) Pawnbrokers. Their business declined as the
economic depression made the life of the poor still harder.
In consequence, pawning increased Io per cent, but
redemption decreased 20 per cent. Unredeemed goods
also increased, while their sale did not make good the
principal and interest.
(14) Inns. Decrease of income about 15 per cent.
(15) Restaurants. Decrease of income 32 per cent,
the blow to these being most severe.
(I6) The decrease in proceeds in other businesses included 23 per cent in footgear, 24 per cent in confectionery, 26 per cent in kitchenware, 29 per cent in earthenware, 37 per cent in lacquer-ware, and 17 per cent in
paper.
(b) Businesses which were least affected by the war or
which even became more prosperous were:
(I) Leathers and hides. In Osaka, the center of this
trade, the sale increased nearly 63 per cent, due to large
demands by the Army.
(2) Marine products. These also were largely demanded by the Army, so that in the city of Osaka alone
their sale increased 67 per cent.
(3) Horses and cattle, meat, rice-straw mats and bags,