Omaha daily bee., 1895-06-02

much machinery. The iron we'have is of
very fine quality, but so far it has not been
discovered in large quantities 1t may be
that we will find mines in Yezo."
THE JAPANESE AS INVENTORS.
Speaking Of invention, Mr.. Kurino, 1t is
often said that the Japanese are mere COPY
lists, that ,hey never invent nor improve
anything, but merely copy Is this so?"
mo, it is not. The Japanese are to
used by their soldiers today was the in
ventiOn of Japanese. 1t is true that they
can copy and initiate anything, but they are
by no means slavish imitators They take
the best modern inventions and combine them
and they form new products. You must
remember that they knew nothing of this
civilization which they have now adopted a
generation ago. What you have been building
up for centuries is all new to them. After
they thoroughly understand II and your wants,
you may then look out for such inventions
as will supply them. The Japanese are a
people of Ideas, and they are always ready
to adapt to their own wants what they find
good in others"
"What about the future civilization of
Japan? VIII it be purely occldental?"
mo, l think not. 1t will be combina-
tion of the best of the occident and the orient
adapted to fit the Japanese character and
needs. We find this so in many lines. There
is strong tendency in Japan to stick to
the old things wherever they are best, and
in some directions l have no doubt but that
the old Is the better"
RELIGION IN JAPAN.
How about religion in Japan? What are
the missionaries doing, and is there any pros
pect of Christianity ever becoming the re-
ligion of the japanese people?"
WHO can tell?' replied the minister
THE Japanese are fanaticaly welded to
| their old beliefs. Many OF the better classes
notably those who have Travelled much in
| Christian countries, are practically agnostics
as far as either Buddhism or Christianity is
concerned, They might be called free
| thinkers.
"The missionaries have done great work
| in Japan. They have made many converts,
and it Is a curious thing that the japanese
| Christians prefer to have their own churches
and to be Independent Of foreigners. They
| like to map out their own religious lines
and to pray and think for themselves You
remember the discussion of the Briggs ques-
tion, which tore the Presbyterian churches
of the United States almost asunder some
time ago? This question found its way out
| to Japan, and the native Christian pastors
got together and discussed it. They shook
the dust out Of the Thirty-nine Articles and
they were by far more rigid than the op-
| ponents Of DR.. Briggs in their ideas OF lib
erality l think there is possibility that the
Christian religion may at some time so grow
as to be one Of the great religions of Japan.
Already some Of the Christian churches have
been discussing the sending of native Japa-
nese Christian missionaries to Corea and
| China"
THE SANDWICH ISLANDS
by the way, your excellency, returning
to the war question, how about the Sand
wich Islands? Is 1t true that the japanese
are seeking to acquire them?"
mo; emphatically no." replied Minister
Kurino THE japanese nerpT had any such
idea, nor have they desire'to own Hawaii,
The Japanese who emgrated there did So
on the special solicitation Of the government
and the people Of the Sandwich Islands
They were accorded special privileges, were
told they would have the rights Of citizen
ship and we're assured that they would moi
be tried In the courts without an interpreter
who understood their own language was there
to speak for them. Japan wants nothing
Of the Sandwich Islands, except that they
be protected In accordance with the treaty
which was made at that time"
How about a possibility Of a union o.
the Asiatic nations as against the occidental
ones?"
There may be, but II depends entrel,
upon circumstances, the force OF which can
not az present be seeaEatslx Estimated. ans