Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-04-29
THE FUTURE OF JAPAN
Her People Imbued With
|. Patriotic Principles.


u Complete ClvHzalloh
NEW YORK. April 20--Today's Issue Of
The North American Review MAY num-
ber) contains most Interesting oontribu-
tion from Mr.. Kurino, the Japanese min.
ister at Washington, on "The Future Of
Japan"
He acknowledges that the Japanese have
received from the United States proof of q
spirit of altraism rare. II not unique. In
the Intercourse Of nations, but ho points
out that the interest which Americans
have hitherto taken In the East has been
IN the main sentimental. He thinks there
are signs, however, that this Is now
happily giving way to the distinct recog-
milton OF the fact that no Western power
has greater or more vital interest In East
srn affairs than the United States.
Mr.. Kurino thinks that tho great advan.
tages achieved In the struggle with China
must be regarded either as the ultimate
aim Of the Japanese people or as the con-
summation OF their hopes. II they have
recently attracted the worlds notice by
their martial prowess. 1t Is simply because
war Is spectacular But In truth the Jap
snese are animated by the wish to show
as well as victorious i'm war. In fact, the
military affairs have been developed only
as an Indispensable adjunct to the ma
tional warfare.
Mr. Kurino shows how the military
power OF the country grew out of the legis-
lation which provided for general con-
scription among all classes of Japanese.
This spread abroad among the people at
large lively and patriotic
Interest In the Army and Navy.
The most significant event which has
occurred in recent years In Japan Is the
establishment Of q constitutional and par
liamentary form Of government. Some of
the critics Of Japan have assumed that
this step was the result II not Of sudden
whim, at least OF resolve hastily taken
and quickly carried into execution. Here,
however, the critics have gone astray.
The regime Of the Shioguns was one un.
der which the mikado and the people al
ready had suffered. The emperor had been
deprived OF the direct control of the en-
pire, and the people had suffered under q
despotism which had concerned itself with
the most trivial affairs Of private life. On
emperor assumed the power of the preroga-
q fuller measure Of personal liberty and q
more direct participation In the affairs Of
the government. Tho most careful efforts
were made to determine In what manner
the constitutional government could be
best acted on.
Various changes In the methods of I'd.
ministering public affairs wore made u
the years intervening between his ma
jesty's declaration Of his intention to pro-
mulgate constitution and establish q
parliament and Its contamination OF that
purpose Prefecturate and municipal as.
semblics were established, each having
certain control Of local affairs and serving
to educate the people in the exercise Of
their franchises, and It was not until 1890
shat the constitution and the parliament
became accomplished facts. The expert
mental stage has now been passed and
constitutional government Is now one of
the
Recognized Institutions OF the Country.
The patriotic passport which the parlia.
ment has rendered to the government at
home and abroad IL the best possible
evidence that that body Is capable Of exer.
cising its prerogatives.
Whatever the result OF the new order of
things may be, it will only affect the peo-
pie who are engaged with a problem involv-
ing solely their own welfare and trying
to work 1t out for their own best good
The adoption of Western civilization and
modern progress have not been inspired by
the desire for novelty, but by the purpose
to take advantage Of whatever was best
adapted to supply tho necessities Of ma
tional development
One of the most significant factors to be
taken into account in any forecast of the
future Of Japan Is the change in tho treaty
relations existing between Japan and the
Western powers. The conditions from
which the old treaties resulted have en-.
tirely disappeared. The difficulty has been
IN the presumed necessity for main
tanning the jurisdiction at capitulations
which absolved foreigners from trial In
Japan by native courts and punishment
under native law, and were rendered
necessary, rs Mr.. Marcy stated, by the
fact that cruel and unusual punishment
was inflicted under the laws Of most
Oriental countries. M
Certainly for the last 20 years there has
been no necessity In Japan for such provi.
sions and yet, instead OF being relaxed
with the lessening need, they have, II any.
ching, been strengthened and increased.
In point of fact, foreign life and property
is as safe In every part Of Japan as IL
would be In London or New York. Com.
plete systems of codifled laws, based upon
the best methods, are In successful opera.
tion. while the judiciary Is not only com.
petent and educated, but entirely inde.
pendent of executive control.
| Sensational Murder Case.