The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-09-20
A Man Who Contributes Much TO Its Pro-
sreSS and Development.
A SKETCH OF PRIME MINISTER ITO.
BY Col. CockcriiI Vanguard of In-
pnn's Entcririsr-A RcmnrkablG
Man nnd EIis Grand Career He
Rendered distinguished Service
During the War.

remarkable looking head of any man
have seen in Japan. He has soft and
unctuous way Of talking, and if he ;s
not u shrewd worker in the cause of ia
pan there is no such person in existence.
If the present government holds togeth-
or. he Will have still greater advance
ment, 4 scat in tho cabinet being his
when the opportunity comes. This
young mans career is fine example Of
the field which opens before the youths
of japan, where baton is carried in
every soldiers kunpsack and an impe-
rial councillors star is i'll every school
room, He WAS born i'll Nagasaki i'll 1867,
the son OF a Samurai retainer Of the To-
Rugann dynasty. Ho showed great pro-
ficiency rs a schoolboy, especially in the
etudy Of the English language Incl
dentally lie learned biography, and for
awhile he was government operator.
In 1873 he WAS appointed interpreter To
$ho prefectural Office Of Hiogo whore
his diligence and ability attracted tho
attention of Mr.. Kanda Kohei, the pre-
feet Mr.. kanda is one Of the lights Of
tho melji Japan Cor now Japan) and an
archnologiSt of great reputation. His
adopted sen Is an Amherst college man
and professor today i'll the imperial
university.
Under this able man young Ito found
advancement and time to study law as
well rs TO perfect himself in English. In
1877 ne went to Tokyo and was nppoint-
ed clerk in tho department of public
works, 81 tho head Of which stood Count
Ito. AT Mat time 80 foreigners were
employed in the department, and young
japanese with ability and know ledge
OF the English laN2uagc were much in de-
mand. Mr.. Hyasifi, the present minister
10 China, was thea the leader Of the
young school Of Japanese progrcssion-
lists, and tho vc=s.5 Ito, through him.
ca1no To tho notice Of Count Ito and was
given high clcrkship in tho investiga-
ton Office the most important bureau.
the brains and the nerve center of tho
department.
When the sanji-in, or privy council.
was organized, with Count Ito mt the
head, the young Ito was appointed IL
submomber, having the year before been
modo secretary to tho dajokwan, or
Imperial caIsnct. In 1882, when Count
cations necessary to adjusting Japan To
her new fern of constitutional govern
ment, he took Miyoii Ito with him.
Nhl!c There the young man attended tho
coronation of Alexander | and received
Srom him the decoration of the Second
Order of Stanilaus. He returned to ia
pan III 1883 ana was mado private sec
Rotary TO the privy council in addition
TO his secrotaryship of the cabinet. In
1880 young Ito went to China with
Count Ito OH the mission which resulted
III tho I2en-tsln treaty. On his return
he was decorated with the fourth class
Order of the Rising Sun.
lie was the right hand OF Count Ito
in the preparation Of Japan's constitu-
zion, and when 1t was promulgated in
1889 ho.was given the third class Order
OF the Sacred Mirror and given tho rank
of a second class Chokunia. In 1890 ha
was appointed Il member of the house of
peers. According 10 the constitution, the
members. of the house of peers are made
up as follows: Princes and maruuises
are members by virtue of rank. counts
and Tlscounts and barons elect their
representatives, some are appointed bv
tho emperor because OF special eruditiou
and fitness, and some are selected from
the largest taxpayers Of the empire.
MlycJi Ito was especially named by the
emperor because of his learning and his
distinguished services. Three wears ago
he was made secretary general TO the
imperial cabinet, which position he
holds today. His participation in the
SlmOnCSelti conference and bjs .,n,.,
ton with the ratification Of treaties at
Chefu have been referred to. He rem
dered distinguished service during the
war, and his recognition at the hands Of
the emperor'is well merited.
Baron Ito Is in no way related TO
Count Ito. The nnmo OF Ito is as com
mon In Japan as is that of Jansen in
Scandinavia. l have written thus fully
OF Baron MiyoJi Ito because III NV opin
ion, he is pretty certain to occupy cen
eral place on Japan political stage. Ho
is CREDITED with the dictatorship Of the
Nlchl Nichi Shimbun, the semiofficial
organ of the ministry. This he carefully
denies, bat the fact has secured him the
enylous hostility Of most Journalists, as
well as the opposition Of scores Of half
baked, disappointed young politicians
VINO are shocked to see his steady rise in
the world. Baron Ito is unmarried He
hVes III modest quarters III the district
OF Tokyo known as Nagatacho, near
INTO the official residence of Prince Ito