Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-20

/ was the work of years. Their original tongue
had been corrupted or complicated by the in
| fusion of Chinese characters and the invention
of Others by the priests. Fifteen hundred
years ago, japanese priests had visited China,
and on their return had introduced the
| study Of Confucius aud Mencius, and
attempted to graft that language on
the Japanese A confusion OF tongues had
| followed, which even yet has not been unraycllcd
Children at school, learning their lessons by
rote, without comprehending their meaning, nm
Ill they are at least thirteen or fourteen years of
age. 1t would be easier, in Mr.. Morris opin-
ion, to begin at the foundation and teach En-
glish only in their pubic schools, than to con-
tnue the present studies.
The inquiries of the minister, while OCCASION
ally naive and simple, were generally quite com
prehensive and sagacous. He seemed TO un-
derstand very well what information he most
desired. For instance, he urged upon Commits
sioner Eaton the necessity Of presenting to his
people some cogeut reasons and examples illus
trating the value Of popular and widely diilused
education-a thing, he said, it was the most ar
dent wish of the japanese statesmen who are
lhOalhtiAz lilS new hNpth thtN ~ SCI NSNCAh
plshed. Recently, said the minister, the mka-
do himself, in order to stimulate the matter, had
begun the study of German This is thing
wholly unheard of, and will have the effect Of
arousing the ambition of the mobiles every
where.
1t struck me, knowing the anxiety with which
Bismarck fosters everything that tends to in
crease German commercial influences, especially
in those Asiatc waters where it has of late years
rapidly increased, that this action of the mikado
is trump card for the far-sighted German
statesman, and the newly awakened maritime
ambition of his nation.
Returning to Mr.. ATori, however, he expressed
desire TO obtain such documents and illustra-
tions from the bureau, or other official American
source, saying that they would have a greater
influence in Japan. He seemed particularly
struck with suggestion that the inventive fac
ulty was quickened in proportion to the spread
of popular education. The cotton Gin inven-
ton and its effects on southern values was
cited, and his attention was called TO a
| computation that had been made that
the difference in value of threshing the en-
tire wheat crop OF the United States by the best
machine rather than any inferior process was
fully equal TO that of the wheat crop Of Cailor-
mia. The bureau of education will undoubtedly
aid Mr.. Mori in the preparation of such dOcu-
ments as he may deem desirable TO translate for
japanese use.
THE NEW STATEsMANSHIP THERE.
Mr., Mori, though young diplomat seems
to comprehend the Tall yrandian doctrine,
which might easily be oriental in origin, ofusng
language to conceal, not to convey thoughts
Some considerable conversation was had about
military education, and it was evident that the
japanese are in some anxiety. Oyertures have
apparently been made as to the use of French
army officers in teaching their system.
There can be no doubt that the mkado wants
an army and would like to have it in European
shape, as nearly as, and as soon as possible. AT
the last session Of congress, it will be remem-
bered that application was made to admit some
japanese youth as student at West Point. Con-
| gress failed then to give the necessary permits
sion. Mr.. Mort seems anxious TO have this ac-
complished. He asked the gentlemen with
| whom he was conyersng, their opinion rs to
educating military students of his nation at
one school and by one system, or dividing those
TO be taught among several nations. 1t is the
intention of the mikados government TO have 4
large number Of young men trained in the best
| military and naval school, or schools, the civil
| lied world affords. Nobody could fail to see,
however, that there was an underlying anxiety
in all Gov. Morris conversation as to the imme-
date result of the great changes now going on
in Japan. He spoke quite enthusiastically of
the United States, and it was apparent that we
have but to cultivate Japan to materially aid
her and ourselves in the great work progressing
there. OBSERVER.