The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-05-15
IN THE REALM OF TIE N|AADO
Col. John A. CoCkeriIPS Interview
With Count 0kuma.
Hopes of Improved Trade Relations
With the United States. Protection
Not Needed as Yet. No Mill
tary Aspirations. viii No,
Play the Bully.


day is Count S. Okuma, ex-minister of
finance and ex-minister of foreign af-
fairs
Without ever having set foot outside
of Japan, and without understanding n
word of foreign language, he seems to
have graspcd the genius OF his own
country and the spirit Of the age moro
fully than any citizen of Japan with
whom l have yet conversed. He is
great force today, though retired from
all active political life and public serv-
ice 1t is the universal belief that should
this war result i'll political revulsion
and administrative bouleversement, ms
now seems more than probable, he Will
succeed Viscount Mptsu III the foreign
Office, and he may even be lifted into
the premiership, now held by Count Ito
i drove ont to Waseda a few days ago
to visit the count on invitation. He re-
ceived me with great cordially and
presented me to his private secretary, a
bright young gentleman, a graduate of
our Johns Hopkins university, in Balti-
more, who acted as interpreter
What of the future of Japan?" /
asked.
1t will be one of continued growth
and intelligent progress, replied the
count. Our people will never 20 back
ward We We're advancing toward high
er civilization before we camo into touch
with the foreigners. We certainly have
no reason to be ashamed of what we
have achieved i'll the last 40 years Our
schools and our educational systems are
u i Al
edge is increasing This war has been a
good lesson for our people. 1t has shown
them the value of modern appliances
and tho necessity for keeping abreast Of
the times. Our people we'll know that
If we had stood still, as great China has
done, we could not have accomplished
what we have. Our prowess is due to
our enlightenment, our skill and our
modern education. Our country is one
of progression honceforth and for all
tlmo, rest assured Of that. +"
What are we to expect of Japan"
said l, under tho new treaties and the
new conditions which they vill creatc?"
All that can be reasonably hoped
for, replied the count. Heretofore we
have had some agitation against foreign
crs and hostility to them because many
OF our people have believed that under
tho old treaties too much favor was
shown them. Our people are hosnitable.
They have sometimes thought that thor
kindness and hospitality were abused
by the foreigners, or at least not appre-
clated This has entered into our poll
tics somewhat But when Japan assumes
entire control Of her affairs hospitality
toward intelligent and kindly foreigners
viii be assured, especially toward the
people of the United States, who were
our carly friends and for whom we en-
tcrtaIn the ldndliest feeling. Japan will
SO bear herself always as to be entitled
TO the respect and esteem of the enlicht-
ened nations of the world The TWEEN
tieth century is TO he ono of great nd
vancemcnt. The people of Europe, be-
heve, grown weary Of their great mill
tary burdens, VIII throw them off We
shall have peace and an era of develop
ment OF resources everywhere In this
race Japan will lie found always active,
earnest and sincere.
The conversation turning upon the
economic policy likely TO be pursued by
Japan under tho new conditions, the
count said:
for Il time our young men who were
sent abroad to study returned TO us with
an inclination toward the Manchester
school-that is to say, those who gave
political economy any sort of invostiga-
ton were inclined to DO free traders
Today we have Il very large and intclli-
gent class tuning toward protection.
AS for myself, l 90 not believe that
Japan requires protection Mt present
We are just beginning to manufacture
upon large scale Tho satin fabrics
and tho art works which have heretofore
been turned out in small. domestic
way Will soon become the products of
great factories. Our cotton mills and
silk factories, iron and steel works. etc.
with our cheap and skillful labor will
enable ns to enter any market in the
world. We Will be able to withstand the
competition Of any civilized people. so
for as the protective policy is not
needed"
But" said I, with organized CAPT
tai you will soon have organized labor.
You will early find your wage schedule
increasing. The frugality Of your peo-
pie, their limited wants and the low
cost of living will stand you well for a
time, but eventually you will have the
labor union and the walking dele
e-ate -