The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-09-14
COME AGAIN, ER. KAqOW.
We May Show You Coast
Defenses in 1901.
OUR JAPANESE CRITIC.
He Comes Over Hero From His Little Island
and Tells Us We Are Away Be-
hind the Times.

Katsuya Katow. critic, has come over
from the Mikado's country.
He is studying American politics. he says,
but he has not yet gone to Boss Crimmins'
saloon, so he will not learn much about the
subject.
He is also studying our army and navy.
and has already learned something in that
line.
lie says our coast defenses are very weak.
katsuya Katow is prominent member
OF the Imperial Diet of Japan.
When seen by CALL reporter last night
he conversed freely, expressing great de-
light with his voyage across and with what
he had seen of this country.
he does not pose as an English scholar,
and depended altogether upon an interpreter
to make himself understood. He is at pres
ent living at 813 Bush street.
katow must be at least 45 years old. He
cannot be over feet inches in height, and
has the same glossy. black muStache we are
apt to regard as the peculiar feature Of a
japanese.
He wears-at least he did last night-a
black Prince Albert coat, closely buttoned,
white cravat and high choker collar.
His trousers were black and blue" He
| wore white cbrysanthemum in his but
| smile.
When he stands he has habit of thrust
| ing his right hand into his bosom, and bow
! ing great deal.
| When he is seated he shufflas about un-
easily IN bis chair and coughs, alphabetically.
| ms hands on his knees, knits his brOws and
keeps glancing up at the ceiling.
| lie was not in pain. Ii was only his way.
| Ihey all do IL in japan.
The Interview began with an easy spar
| ring for an opening and exchange Of pleas
| ing compliments.
| Mr., katow was warm friend of news
| paper men, who now constitute the most
| enteIprising class of people In Japan.
10 what happy combination of circum-
stances were we indebted for his presence
among us? Oh he had come entirely in a
private private capacity. He was gentleman OF
| elegant leisure and had just dropped over
TO look into our beautiful systems of gov
| eminent and finance.
What impresses you as most striking
| about usY asked THE CALL man.
line weakness OF your coast defenses."
1t came straight from the shoulder.
las member of the army and navy COM
mittee OF the Imperial Diet"-Mr. Katow
| rad stitfened perceptibly-'I would natur-
| ally look closest at the management of those
departments in any any other country.
Il have investigated your systems care
luilg anu sco nU ueeu lOI EdtIlUE at
japan. along these lines q t least-our navy
can easily bear comparison to yours; and
our standing army is larger and better
equipped.
However. | am aware there is less need
OF large standing army with you, but in
time OF peace prepare for war.
How can you account for the lack of
proper defenses along your long coast liue |?
''You are practically unprotected.
II have been through your forts, such as
you have, and my surprise has grown into
wonder that such negligence could actually
exist in these United States.
Your forlihcations are of an obsolete
order, and the guns that surmount them
have been long since antedated.
There Is no possible excuse for all this
for your Government is rich. But proper
deienses would not require much of an ex-
pendituTe anyway, for there is plenty of
room for few well-placed pieces to COM
mand your entire bay.
''As ii Is / consider San Francisco at the
mercy of any modern warship that chooses
To she'll her."
SIS there anything else you see amiss
hereY ' inquired the reporter meekly.
Mr.. katow smiled.
Yes, your politics. had thought might
make profitable suggestions from what
saw, to my party in Japan when l returned.
~ have changed my mind"