Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-02-05
The Lapnnese Embassr.

[From the New York World. Jan. 81.
Such lively interest has invariably been
evnced by New Workers, in the manners, GUS
toms, and appearances of the already large num-
that the writer proceeded yesterday to the st.
Nicholas hotel, where he obtained an interview
with Mr. Soogwura, native ofJapan, who has
quite recently arrived from England, where he
has been engaged on government mission,
After solournlng in this city for few days he
will leave for Washington, where he will meet
the embassy on its arrival there. During the
conversation with Mr.. SOogiwura a number of
interesting facts connected with the government
and the internal affairs Of the country were
elected; and as that gentleman was very COM
muncatiye and unreserved, quite an insight
into the domestic life of the Japanese was OBJ
tanned.
The following is the substance of converse
ton with this gentlemen:
"What is the chief business of the embassy
in this country at this time"
"To perfect and Te-estabsh treaties between
this country and our own, which, us you are
aware, must be renewed every thirteen years"
GLOW long will the embassy remain in this
cOuntryW
probably several months; | can't tell lust
now how long, but after concluding their bust
ness in Washington they will visit this city,
and several large cities throughout the United
States.
''You say there are several students with the
party; at whose expense are they sent here to
study?"
"Some of them are sent out by the general
government, Others by local government-that
is by cities or inStitudons-while others come
out at their own expense"
What do they studyP'
"First they must learn English, or perfect
themselves in it, and then they take up all
branches of learning, each one taking that
which he is best adapted for-mning, engineer
ing, chemistry, international and criminal law,
and in fact everything which shall tend to adj
vance education and government at home.
There are about 200 OF our students in this
country at present, and there are at present
about 300 more in Europe. They are studying
here in the United States, in England France,
Italy and Germany, and the results Of this Sys-
TEN of education is already beginning to be felt
in Japan"
SIS the English language taught in JapanP'
Eyes, to some extent in the private schools
English, French and German are taught; and
the people are very anxious to learn English es-
pecialIy. We have no system of public schools
in our coutry as You have here, but in short
time we hope to inaugurate public schools, so
that all may enjoy the benefits of free educa-
ton there as here.
"What is the general education of the peo-
ple?
"Nearly every one can read, even among the
poorer classes, and some knowledge OF aTith-
metic is obtained: but lately, that is within If
general, has given place % English and French
and German. Every one is anxious to lean
English since we have begun to communicate SO
freely with English speaking people, The caste
system has died out in Japan. There are now
about four classes or ranks in society; there
used TO be great many ranks, but intercourse
with other nations and advance in education
have reduced things TO level very nearly. OF
course, we are not so democratic as YOU are
in this country. We haven't got to that yet
We are more like they are in England
There is the royal family, then the nobility,
then the middle class which is the great
class, and, finally, the very POOR, the con-
dition of which is being made better every year.
There are in Yokohama a large number of En-
glish people, and, as you are aware, this coun-
try has sent out large number OF missionaries
We are often COMPOUNDED with the other nations
winch surround US, especially with the Chinese
We differ from them, however. We are anxious
for improvements, we desire TO live at peace
with all nations, and we recognize the fact that
knowledge is power. You may look upon us
as being barbarans, but while we lack some of
those finer points of etiquette or manners per-
haps, we still have respect aud genuine admira-
ton for true WORTH and in all our actions strive
10 be honest and straightforward. We dislike
mere surface show, and do not consider it worth
acquiring"
How about the railroads and telegraphs?"
eve have both, but not so extended as we
hope to have in a few years, when we have more
of our native engineers. The lines of telegraph
are being pushed in every direction under the
superintendent Of engineers and native work.
men. Wehave English and American engineers
at work on railroads and canals, and our people
are being educated and the resources of the
country developed. We already have several
newspapers and periodicals. The daily paper is
published on single sheets of about one.lourth
the size of one page Of the World, and these
vary in number IN accordance with the amount
Mt tau AtIa oh 80 m hn
of which there are sometimes dozen, are tied
together with strings. In Yokohama there is an
English paper published also. Newspapers have
come into existence with us quite recently. for
before we bad the telegraph aud were Interested
in ourselves alone to the exclusion of all foreign
nations, there was no news to circulate, as no
newspapers were published"
what is the condition Of the women in
JapanP"
"0ur women attend strictly to their domestic
duties. They have their yocatons, SO have the
men, and while they busy themselves about do.
nestle matters the men are engaged in business
or transacting the affairs Of government.
Woman is respected, and with the same oppor-
tunities for acquiring an education, would learn
as fast and as well MS man, but their sphere lies
within the home, and they do not wish to as
sumo the responsibilities OF men so long as they
can fulfill the duties Of wives and mothers. The
law forbds man having more than one wife, or
q wife more than one husband. In case man
transgresses this law he is banished to one of
the many islands along our coast, and there
Obliged to remain for long time or for life"
Suppose a man commits murder, what is
done with himY
ne Is executed. II man kills another he
l1sI ule Tor IT. unless II was done clearly in self
ue,ehse, or unless the man killed was trying to
rqo o. steal from mans house. lfa son kills
us lather, punishment follows Immediately;
the sons head is cut off without DELAY. There
IS no getting out Of 1t; IL a man murders anoth-
or ne must pay the penalty with his life. There
: no such thing as insanity admitted in tue
In conclusion, Mr.. Soogiwura said that some