The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-02-24

Kate Field Interviews Mr.. Knr1no,
Minister to the United states.
Very clever is his imperial japanese ma
Jesty's envoy extraordinary and minister
plenipotentsary. Shinschiro Kurino Al
though recent addition To the diplomatic
CORPS. Mr.. kurino Is no stranger 70 the
United States, being well known In Boz
Ton and Cambridge. where. az HAIR
ward student, be passed seven years Of
his life. Coming back to this country %
well equipped In knowledge OF Language
and customs. Mr.. Kurino cannot fan 70
be persona grata. Eager 10 impars tn
FORMATION as well Is TO acquire 1t, this
agreeable gentleman h . welcome guest
At public and private entertainments, and
Is always ready to answer questions about
his Interesting country. How far can
the history OF Japan be traced?'' asked
the minister. at our last meeting.
Japanese historians scientifically trace
the history Of Japan to the era OF Jimmu
Tenuo, the first emperor OF Japan, and
the founder OF tas present dynasty, who
aScanded the throne 1854 years ago. The
history OF Jimsnu Tenno Is based to GER
tain degree upon tradition. but the Japa-
nese regard the tradition as perfectly
authentic, and have canonixed the first
emperor. not alone as the progenitor OF
the present imperial house. but also a. a
hero and warrior. who subdued the abort
gtnes Of southern and central Japan, and.
in word, founded tho Japanese nation
What Is the origin OF the people?"
"Ethnologists do not agree: and nothing
can be answered with certainty. The
aborigines-Aino-are very unlike other
Assatio races. and resemble the Esaui-
maux In some respects"
Are the Japanese homogeneous"
Practically. yes. The original stock
may have been affected by union with
other races, but the result Is not appar-
ent In any racial differences"
What are the religions. and which Is
most popuiar?''
II the popular religion. Religious toIera-
ton is EXPRESSLY guaranteed by the con-
stitution, and there are a large number
OF converts TO the Roman Catholic. the
Greek and the Protestant churches
What effect had the Perry treaty, In
1ess. on JapanT'
ut was this dawn OF daylight from the
outer world which showed the intelligent
Japanese how thoroughly out of touch
their country, and. above all. their form
OF government. was with the spirit OF the
age. II was then that the little band Of
reformers VINO were chiefly instrumental
In bringing about the great change began
their work.
"one OF the first acts OF the emperor
was to issue an edict aboiishlng the laws
against foreign religions and their propa-
cation among the japanese.
The daimiyos or feudal chiefs surren-
dered their nets 20 the crown and ac-
cepted in fesl the bonds OF the govern
meat. at amounts. 1t should be added.
much less than the value of their original
holdings. This. 1t must not be forgotten
was an entirely voluntary act OF self
abnegation.
'"r1e sauural. or military class. whose
privileges. vigorously secured and jeai-
ouSly guarded. made them the real mas
ters OF Japan. especially in times OF do
mestAc disorder. like iheir chiefs. the
daimiyos. accepted capitalized pensions
instead OF the regular supper; 10 which
their fealty and their service had entitled
them.
The reorganization OF the whole fabric
OF the public administration was natu-
rally the first care az the imperial gov
eminent. The departments were all
established upon a new and effective
basis Foreign advisers were employed
to assist IN the work. and no effort or
expense was spared 20 create a system
whiSh would be az once modern, practical
and economical
What IL the population and what Is
the ratio OF increase"
The present population ia about 4i.0sse.-
COO The increase has been s,ooo.e0o within
ten year,
what IS the condition % the poor. and
what proportion are they OF the whole
reopiog"
"Taere are no great extremes of wealth
and poverty in Japan. Wages are low.
fu, living Ia cheap. There are few very
great fortunes.
"The larges, private fortune In Japan
was acquired by steamships. Increased by
railroad investments ard 10y Investments
in various commercial and Industrial en-
4espraseS. The next largest fortune was
acquired through the ownership OF sgri-
cultural lands. Speaking generally, Il may
be said that wealth is acquired in Japan
,ust as IL IS IN other countries. with this
POSSIBLE difference. that there are no great
fortunes acquired by purely speculative
enterprises. Manufactures are r&paly
coming 10 the front, especially cotton
spinning and weaving"
what are the orders % nobility,
.sTaere Is n hsre5itary noble class Ia
Ianan. the descendants OF che acctent
landed nohllIty--aaarnsyos-an OF the I'M
rsrsai family and court noosaisy. The en-
ueror. who - Of course the foantaiaheAf
~ ali henorS. has ennoo.ea other subjects
fer distinguished pgslic services. The
orders OF nobility arc: Princes. mar
cusses. counts. yisesuHss end ssscns Be-
s.sss the members CT the imperial family
there are eleven princes. thirty mar
casse~. esShty-fSur eoants. IS yiscoanis
ara us bareas,"
rs Grade respected az cegrt -
"Yes: ana persons engaged IN business
cursuits are received a. couVf. This il a
ransr1ete revelation - ancient cassosIss
ard ideas. when Gea. Grant was In JapAn
the merchants OF Tokyo gave hin a ms X
ni;seen, nssl ard the emperor accepted an