Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-05-20
AN INTELLIGENT JAP.
PROF. FUKUSHIMA, OF TOXIC, EXAMINING
THE AMERICAN SCHOOL SYSTEM.
An Entertaining Chat About the PrOgrsssivaneSs
of Japan-Hs Will Remain in the
City Several Days.

A fauItlessly attired man OF about 30
years, of pleasing address, and counter
ance which gave evidence OF culture
and intellectual strength, wrote the
name 81. Fukushina" on the register
at the Hotel Brunswick Thursday night.
His modest bearing, CHARACTERISTIC OF
the true gentleman, combined with
handsome face and figure, would have
attracted attention anywhere. Mr..
Fukushima is native born Jap, who
was, until he left HRS home, President
OF the Imperial Mobiles College, OF To-
kin. Jauan. Prof. FukGshlma left Toxic
about two years ago TO visit America,
for the purpose Of examining our edu-
cational system.
He was interviewed by REGISTER
reporter yesterday, and talked In an
enthusiastic manner OF American lnstl-
buttons. He has been more than
pleased and will return to his home In
about a year, to place in practical use
some of the ideas formed by his tour OF
the United States.
~ resigned the Presidency or the
Government University" he said, sin
order to learn for myself OF the superb
ority of American institutions, and L
am more than ever convinced that your
country is the most progressive upon
the face of the globe. The
relations between Japan and the United
States are of the most friendly cnarac-
ter, which was one reason why chose
to come to America rather than Eng
land. My prime object, since am in
terested in educational matters, Is TO
visit YOUR universities and learn some
thing of your common school system;
but have also received fund OF valu-
able information regarding American
institutions in general.
"For three centuries prior TO twenty
five years ago, Japan was shut oil from
intercourse with the outside world.
Then came the reaction, and with II the
modern spirit of progress. Learned men
were sent by the government to western
countries and they came back with re-
ports showing that we were behind the
times. The Chinese still maintain that
their civilization is the standard; we
think our is little inferior to that OF
the West, and we are trying to eaten
up. Within q quarter OF century
marvellous changes have been mado In
japan. At first all were enthusiastic.
believing that everything American
was good. During the past few years
we have arrived at the period OF dis
elimination. We have learned that
there are good and bad features in
every government, and are now trying
to discard the bad, and adopt the good.
Modern Japan is as different as the ia
pan of twenty-five years ago, as day
and night. Now we have railroads
traversing all sections of the country,
telegraph lines, street railways, and
electric lights.
"But 1t is in religion and education
that we are making the most rapid rides.
Christianity has been introduced by
missionaries OF all denominations, and
although the people are naturally 10th
to part with their religious views, the
Christian faith is gaining converts every
day. The emperor, whom you call the
'Mikado' here, is thoroughly progress
man, and the government gives It's sane
ton and approval to every modern In
noyation. We believe that the English
language is destined to be the language
of commerce, and have introduced 1T
into our common schools. Every pupil
is b eng taught English, and by native
teachers. We send great
many students to your great
universities. At the present rate OF
progress, within ten or twelve years the
English language will be commonly
used in Japan.
Prof. Fukushima is himself Chris
tian. He expressed himself as well
pleased with Wheeling. he will re-
main here until the latter part OF next
week, and will deliver several lectures
as noted elsewhere in this issue.