The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-07
Tho Future OF apan.

Inc nrAU EnRllSnmau WHO ever NlslJtu
Japan, so far as we know, was a certain
WILLIAM ADAMS, who, on April 10, 1900,
wrote: THE people OF this country are
good OF nature, courteous out OF measure,
and valiant in war"
Nearly three hundred years Of history
have verified this statement made by an
unknown traveller at a period when the
Western world knew absolutely nothing
Of the sea girt kingdom. Even in these days
Of travel Oriental peoples are but tardily
admitted into the charmed circle Of civ
ilized nations. But Japan Is doing her
best TO throw of the ant of ridicule
with which the Western world has sought
to clothe her, and to stand before us as
a land Of intellect and muscle. Who can
read the account which have reached us OF
the victorious taking OF the stronghold of
Ping Yang and the capture Of the Chinese
army In Corea without admitting that it
was the triumph Of good generalship as we'll
as the supreme effort of a brave and we'll
disciplined army. 1t is admitted on all sides
that Field Marshal Count YAMAGATI Is a
soldier to the manner born. But what Is
still more remarkable IN the fact that the
Japanese Government has neglected nothing
to render its army and navy perfect. 1t has
set a notable and worthy example to all
countries. Sir EDWIN ARNOLD has rightly
characterized it as as honest In its admin
istration as that of the British, as adroit as
hat of the French, and as exact as that of
the Germans And he also says that the
Japanese Departments of State have from
the very first kept an ideal before them, and
have carried IL out TO "A galter button"
In everything that has been done the people
Of Japan have kept the welfare Of the en-
pire at large liz the fore front Of their poll
tics, and they are rewarded for 1t now by
the complete disappearance OF the clamorous
and disaffected factions, and by the reunion
Of all parties upon the basis of augmented
power n future prosperity. Forty years
g Japan emerged out Of feudalism and
superstition to become the most progressive
country In Asia, and during these forty
years the leaders Of thought and action have
carefully studied and vigorously applied the
resources OF all civilized nations, and have
endeavored TO supply the deficiencies Of
their land by all the materials which they
could possibly use from America, England,
Germany, France, Austria Italy.
Tn Western world laughed at them 1t
has been even said that their versatile imi-
tations were those which reached their
highest development in children and in
monkeys! The Japanese" said one Of
their most friendly critics, think TO raise
themselves In Western estimation by DON
ming tall hats and frock coats - and the
same critic volunteered the suggestion tina.
they would rise more quickly by dressing
their thoughts in European fashion -
Bat the Eastern world has ever been the
world Of thought, and it has not always
been for the best when the thought Of the
Orient has appeared in an Occidental cos
ume. 1t has probably been reserved for
the Japanese nation to emphasize this view
of the subject. At all events, the Jap" is
no longer q subject Of ridicule.
DIR. EDWARD ~BIcKERsTETH, the learned
Bishop of Exeter, England, whose son is the
Anglican Bishop Of Japan, visited that coun-
try three years ago, and was much impressed
with its possibilities. Addressing a vast au-
dienee In Exeter Hall. at the annual meeting
of the Church Missionary Society In London
two years ago, the Bishop spoke as follows;
"n you had bsca asked to sketch an ideal land most
suitable for Christian missions, and when itself Chris
tiAniIed more suited for evangelical work among the
nations Of the East, what ! AL, would b the special
ehArAsLsrlstLes Of the laAd and people that you would
have desired Perhaps, hsL you have said, Give Us
islands. ins0pAFably and forever united, which can hold
their SsArSirt Independents. and yet are near enough
70 the main land 10 exert Influence thsre.' such Il
Japan. tAs LAAd Of the RainE sun. Gave Us : hardy
race, not UNFRAMED In war by land and sea; give "
brave meA.' such are ths descendants OF the old Dali
mlos ana twoSwordod sAnuTAl OF Japan. Give u
Al Industrial rAcs. not Iilers nor l~OungenS, but men
Who delight In toll, lAborlOuS huSbandmen. psrss-
VerlhS craftsmen SuSh are the japanese agricultur-
such arc the haadlersftARSn OF Japan. whose
work Y the envy OF western lands; such are the msr
chants Of Japan. who hold their own In the world OF
Give " men Of culture. With noble ira
ditlonA bat not 30 Wooded 70 tho past that they will
nSt grasp ne pFsssat AAd SAluLs mo future such are
Iss auiek. witlsA. Myriad minded japanese, who. vita
; marvellous power Ot Initiation, ever, somehow, con
IdVs - sasrAft thsir e~u SPselAlluss apOA hos Of
Western landA"
Five Years a9o a welLkhown traveller said:
4" Japan owe the place she holds In oeei-
deaLAl esteem 10 heF art, and to her art
Could Snch n statement IL made at
the present timsl Five years ago the caPa-