Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-01-24
FUTURE POLICY OF JAPAN.
Significant speech Of Governor Ito as
the Frisco RanNue1

SAN FRANCISCO. Jan. 23.-The ,JapaneSe en-
o Dasss visited the pnhiic schools and telegraph
the banquet this evening at the Grand Hotel
200 plates we're laid, and the tickets were sold AZ
go each. lwakura occupied the center OF the
table, with Minister DE Long, and the state and
federal officers were grouped around him. After
toasts TO the President and 10 the Tenno OF Japan
iwakura made . short address in the Japanese
Language. The most important speech of the
evening, as foreshadowing the future policy of
japan, vas made I'm English by Governor Ito.
in response TO the toast: sour distinguished
guests from San Francisco" As follows:
rGentlemen: Being honored BY your kind
generosity, and glad to express to YOU, and
through You to the citizens OF San Francisco,
our heartfelt gratitude for the friendly recep-
ton which has everywhere greeted the embassy
since its arrival in your state, and especially for
the marked compliment paid this evening to our
nation, this is perhaps fitting opportunity 70
give brief and reliable outline Of many i'm
provemene being introduced into Japan. Few
but native japanese have any correct knowledge
OF our countrys internal condition. Friendly
maintained, first among which was the United
States, and the good understanding on
the part of our people has increased our
special instructions from his Majesty. the
Emperor, while seeking to protect. the rights
and interests Of our respective nations, will seek
to unite them more closely in future. am con
WINGED that we shall appreciate each other more
when we know each other better. By reading.
hearing and by observation i'm foreign lands, our
people have acquired a general knowledge of
The constitutions, habits and manners as they
exist in most foreign countries. Foreign Gus
toms are generally understood throu ghout J zpan
to-day and il 10 the earnest wish of both our
government and people TO strive for the highest
point of civilization enjoyed by the most
enlightened countries. Looking to this end.
We have adopted their military, naval, scien-
tito and educational institutions, and knowl
edge has flowed to us freely I'm the
wake Of foreign commerce. Although our inn
proyement has been rapid i'm material civliza-
tion, the mental Improvement OF our people has
tul observation, agree in this opinion. While
held i'm absolute obedience by despotic sover-
eigns through many Thousand years, our people
knew no freedom or liberty of thought. With
our material improvements they learned to un-
deIstand their rightfal privileges, which, for
ages, had been denied them. Civil war was but
mously surrendered their principaiities, and
heir voluntary action was accepted by the gen.
eral government. Within year the feudal
Been %any tS
out In ing a gun or shedding drop Of blood
These wonderful results have been accomplished
by the united action Of the government and peo-
full path OF progress. Whist country.in the mid
die ages broke down its feudal system without
war These facts assure us that tae mental
proyements By the education Of oar women
We hope to ensure greater intelligence in future
generations, and With this in view our maidens
nave eueauy comDence4r 70 come % you TOT
their education. Japan cannot claim originally
a: yet, but will aim TO exsrctse practical
wisdom by adopting the advantages and
avoiding the erron taught her By tho
history OF those enlightened 1Hs,,,
whose experience is her tcacher, Sc.r. ons
year ago examined ninutely Sas edacstionss,
system Of The United States aud while hi WssS
the dstmgrished ofhcen Of your Treas1rr IN M.
partment. Every detail learned was oaitSfuiiv
ttssPorteo 70 my government, and the sugaestio3s
then, then made have been adoPtel, ana scS s OF
in the dep.r TU IN a, practical operation
S Sn1er my my administration. The progress has
both in The eastern and western portions eS ~
empire. Telegraph wires are stretohinS over
10y hundred miles Of our teffitory.
and nearly one thousand miles Win s.
sompietea within . few months Light
houses nov line our coasts, and oar ship-ysrds
are active: All these assise our civtlisstion.
and We fully scknovledge our indebtedness %
you and other foreign nstions. Our ereatest
hope u 10 return nom this mission laden VITA,
results valuable to our beloved country ana AL
culated 70 advance permanently her maf-ri.l
and intellectual condition. While in duty som,d