Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1894-09-25
Letter From Japan.
KOBE, JApA

Dear s.Spirtt:"
By this mail I send you budget
of newspapers, which 1 hope you
will find of interest.
The ''war question" is now upper
most, but as i am not prepared to
express an opinion, / thought. the
papers would be an acceptable sub
stitute for my silence on that sub
ject. Ere you receive this you will
likely have read both the imperial
edicts of war-from the Emperors of
China and japan and made your
comments thereon.
Hiroshima, my Japan home, is a
garrison town and was the first place
called upon by tho government to
send troops to Chosen (Korea).
On Saturday, June %, 1 went to
Etajima to visit my friend, Mrs.
Muller, and thus had good oppor-
tunity to see some of the warships
in the harbor at Ujina and the trans
portation of military goods and chat
tells from. the garrison to the port
(Ujina), which is two miles distant
from the city. Owing to the qaanti-
ties of rice (packed in straw sacks),
cooking utensils, officers luggage,
&C., &C., including many companies
of soldies enroute for transportation,
my jinrillisha was an hour and half
getting me home on my return,
though l usually make the trip in
half the time.
As far as n foreigner can judge,
the Japanese seem very sanguine of
success in this contest. If you suo-
gest the difference in the size of the
countries, and the consequent re-
sources, they like to quote you such
examples as Persia and Greece, in
the ancient days, or mayhap Amert-
ca and England in more modern
times. One good-even the most
prejudiced to the war can predict
is the arousing OF China to appreci-
ate, at least, some things foreign.
You will notice this emphasized in
the editorial notes of the Japan Mail.
E'The editor of the japan Mall, Capt.
Brinckley, is an English gentleman
who has lived in this country many
yearsl.
Before getting too far away from
Etajima, a word concerning the
friends there, especially Mrs. Muller
(whose maiden name embraces two
well-known families of dear old JEFF
ferson), will be gratifying TO many
of your readers. Mrs. Frank Null
Ter, nee Miss Bette AbeII Duffield,
is native of Missouri and charm
ingly graceful aud excellent lady.
Before her marriage last December
she was connected with the mission
work of the Cumberland Presbyter-
ian church as most active and eff
cient worker. Mr.. Muller is a Ph.
D. OF the University of Virginia, a
Virginian by adoption, an English
man by birth. He occupies a pro-
fessorship in the Imperial Naval
College at Etajima.
Onr third annual conference of
the NJ. E. Church South in Japan,
adjourned sine die August 18th,
Bishop Galloway, of Mississippi,
presiding, The Bishop expressed
himself much pleased with the work
and the harmony that prevailed be-
tween the Japanese and foreign
workers. The sessions of Confer
cnce were held at our Boys School
(Knansei Gakuin) near Kobe.
Recently we completed a hand
some new building there which will
accommodate the academic and theo-
logical departments of our work
DIR. j. c. C. Newton, of the BaIti-
more Conference, now on leave of
absence in America, was re-appoint-
ed dean of the theological depart
ment, and DR.. S. II. Wainrihgt,
principal of the academic depart
ment. DIR. C. n. Bradbury (Ph. d.
of the University of Virginia) filed
this place last year during DR.. VS.
absence.
There is some apprehension that
the present war will interfere in some
degree with the mission schools, es-
pecialIy those for boys and young
men.
Our Girls School resumes its us
ual work about September 10th. 1
expect to teach during the month of
September, then, kind Providence
permitting, after almost five years
absence, shall turn my face home
ward about October 1st. God grant
rme safe journey and the joy of be-
holding once more the loved ones OF
home. Very sincerely,