Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-18

to be able to take advantage of the changed
conditions consequent upon the carrying
out or the new treaty, and a number of old
schemes will probably be revived I have
met a dozen young men lately who have
told me that they were about to start
TO Asia In order to get employment
as mechanics or engineers on the new
railroads, and I receive letters every
day as to the chances for Americans
and American investments in these coun-
tries The situation is undoubtedly big
with possibilities. 1t is however, far Diff
ferent from what people believe, and in
this letter 1 will attempt to give some
thing concerning 1t.
The indemnity from China will probably
create boom in Japan, and especially in
Tokyo, the capital When the Franco
PruSsian war was concluded every German
thought the money paid by the French
would all be spent in Berlin, and the people
rushed by the thousands from all parts of
the empire to take advantage Of it. Berlin
In 1850 had less than 500, 900 people, and be-
lore she went to war with France she had
only 100000 Three years after the settle
96S,OOO. and in 1880 she had already more
than 100000 She has now with her sub
urbs. nearly 3,OOO.O0O. and she stands next
TO London among the great cities of The
world. The war was succeeded by an era
of speculation in Berlin. Stocks and real
estate jumped upward. and it was so until
the panic of 1873, when there was a col
lapse The city soon recovered however
ana 1t Is now one Of the most prosperous
Of the world. The same thing will be re-
peated in Tokyo. Prices will advance and
real estate is bound to go up An era of
speculation will probably follow. and the
man who goes in now and sells out quick
will probably do well.
The seaports have been steadily growing
and real estate in these ought to be good
Take, for instance, Yokohama. 1t was a
10 ,HAy,
first came to the country It has now
population OF more than 100000 and 1t is
a town of water works, gas and newspa-
pers.
Electric Railroads.
Tokyo has now more than 1,0OO, 900 people,
and the probability is that it contains mo.e
than a million and a half 1t is only four
teen miles from Yokohama through a
thickly settled country, and an, electric
railroad built between the two points would
undoubtedly pay.
AT present there are no electric railroads
In Tokyo, and there are no street car lines
In Yokohama. The field for electric rail-
roads Is practically uncultivated and by
the new treaty it would be possible for
Americans to engage in such work outside
Of the treaty ports. Take the town of
Osaka, In the ce ltral part of the empire.
1t has, with its suburbs, 1000, 900 people,
and there is not an electric railroad in it.
coast. and it Is connected by railroad with
the town of Kobe. Kobe was very small
at the time that Japan was opened. but by
the census of 1890 it contained l36OJO peo-
pie. An electric railroad between Kobe and
Osaka ought to pay. This part of Japan
Is one succession of villages, and only a
few miles west of Osaka is the great city
OF kioto, which was for years the capital
Of Japan. and which is now as big as
Washington or Cleveland II an electric
line were stretched from Kobe to Osaka
and thence on to Kioto, it would strike vii
lagos at almost every mile of travel, and
1t would accommodate a population of
fully 100000 of people. The Japanese are
great travellers. They make long excur-
sions over the country to visit the most
sacred temples and shrines, and met hun
dreds of families walking along the roads
from one sacred point 10 another. The
railroad cars We're well filled, and these
electric roads would pick up many parties
out on these trips of religion and pleasure
combined. As to the electric light field
that is also great. The 100000 people
OF the japanese empire live. to a large ex-
tent in villages and cities. There are few
gas plants and the chief lighting is done
with coal oil. Electric lights could be put
In without much expense, and In the large
cities at very low rates. The telephone is
rapidly coming into use. There are a large
number in Osaka and Tokyo and the rates
for service in the Japa -ese capital are $50
in silver or $3.50 in gold per year.