The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-06
4 1APANEsE ooNTRoHERSE
ur. Macaowan Taken 60 Task by a jana
neae writer.

DE-. Macgowan Taken 70 Task by a J@pa-
neso Writer.
The Pal Mall Gazette sums up some interest
ing information about the Japanese:-
IAN amusing controversy has arisen In the
Far East in regard TO the moral and physical
condition of the people OF Japan. IL may be
remembered that when that country was first
Teopened to foreigners q few years ago, the ac-
counts given of the habits and customs which
there prevail, pointed rather 10 pleasure as the
end pursued than to moral law as the guide
obeved, In particular, Europeans were struck
with the arrangements OF the tea-houses.' Sir
Rutherford Alcock on his journeys IN the lnte-
rior was either so profoundly impressed with
the impropriely of this system, or else was so
feariul of the temptations to which 1t might ex-
nose him. that he refused to put up at these
establishments though tngy are the d only yiraa nTIed
the government to provide him with separate
accommodation. judged by European IDEAS,
the freedom of manners which prevails IN Japan
naturally leads to conclusions unfavorable TO
the morality of the people, and dlsposes one to
bsiieve the statements which are made as to
their physical deterioration. This is the sub
iect on which controversy has arisen in Shang-
hae the Chinese port nearest to Japan.
'The discussion was originated by DR.. Mac
Powan, an American who was once a missionary
at NIngpo, but is now engaged in the secular
work Of Commissioners for the East India Tele-
graph Company. He lately read statistical
paper before the Aslatic Society at Shaughae, in
which he averred that 'unrestrained licentious-
ness and q universal tainp existed among the
Japanese, and that these two causes are both
decreasing the numbers and deteriorating the
quality of their population. So rapidly, how.
ever, has the press advanced in these parts of
the world of late years, that this statement,
being inserted in the Chinese version of
Shsnghae paper, was Immediately replied to by
q native japanese, who wrote In the old Chinese
character, which is understood both in Japan
and by the better educated in China. 1t is
worthy OF notice that the chivalrous sons of
nh Qro inu IN hair Inn,
swords for the pen as means OF controversy,
and it is not to be wondered at that even the
latter instrument should still, in their hands,
have a martial flourish about it. DIR. Mac
gowans opponent writes very contemptuously
OF the Doctors knowledge of Japan, and states
that, ii the accusations were known in Japan,
the youth Of that country would, without eX-
ception, rush to arms in order to avenge the
insult.
unfortunately, neither of the two controver-
sialists gives sufficient grounds for his conclu-
siOns. DR.. Mcgowan simply asserts that the
population of the country has been greatly over
estimated; that he thinks it is not more than
sixteen millions "a ridiculous INTERESTINGLY,
and that it has formerly been much greater, and
is still decreasing; after which he assigns lcen-
tiousness as the guilty cause. The japanese, on
the other hand, asserts that the population of
his country is nearer fifty than sixteen millions,
and is quite as large as it ought 10 be- There
may be some truth in DR.. MACAO vans statement,
but 1t is almost universally allowed by travellers
active, while the women are healthy and good
looking. These characteristics are hardly recon-
Cilable with DR.. Macgowan's averment, and IN
the last few years the Japanese have shown
remarkable energy and practical talent IN adopt
Ing and using Western inventions.
1--WE have a list of eighty European and
American vessels, almost all steamers, which
have been purchased by the Japanese Govern
ment and by individual daimios since 1859,
when the ports were opened; and many of these
steamers are entirely manned and offcered by
Japanese. The Prince of Satsuma alone pur-
chased seventeen steamers for purposes OF war
and trade, and, not content with what has
already been done in this way, the Government
has ordered in Europe and America number
of monitors and other iron-clad vessels. The
steamers already purchased have cost the Japa-
nese rather more than seven millions and hall
of Mexican dollars, or about fl, ,200, 900 sterling
Instead of showing decaying race, this would
seem to indicate revival OF the maritime
spirit for which the Japanese were formerly dis
tiDguished and which, few centuries ago
brought their vessels to the coasts of China and
Malaga, and even into Indian seas and across
the Pacific to the shores of Western America
They have also established at Nagasaki eXpen
sive machine shops expressly for the repair o
their steamers, and Prince Satsuma in particu
lar, who was so disposed 10 fight with us at one
time, has taken great pains to develop the re-
sources OF his principal1ty and of the Lew chew
islands by the introduction of cotton mills
sugar mills, and other machinery. He has gone
so far even as to cause work on the Law o
Storms to be published for the use of his sea
going subjects"