The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29
The japanese Marquis Is En-
bassador to the Cars
Coronation.
TRAVELLING IN MAGNIFIoENCE.
He Occupies the Highest Rank as
Statesman and Soldier IN
Japan.

dav in this City yesterday after their arri-
val. The morning hours were occupied
with correspondence and recreation, and
the remainder of the time was passed IN
sightseeing and social pleasures.
% The principal men of the party drove to
The Cliff through the Golden Gate Park, and
took in the Presidio in the afternoon. At
night they were guests OF the japanese
Consul at brilliant dinner given IN honor
of Marquis Yamagata.
This is one of the most important mis-
sions that ever went out OF Japan to
another country, and, while the gentlemen
of high degree composing it pass quietly
about San Francisco; they are regarded
at home as pre-eminently quail
fed TO represent their country at
a European court. They are indeed
DISTINGUISHED men, not alone in Japan,
but all the world over, and it Is highly
probable they will travel from here IN
maqnifcence. They have large portion
Of the first floor of the Palace Hotel,
where some OF the most luxurious apart
ments are located A :retihue of secre-
taries, clerks and Wallets swell the number
and i've the party an all. OF courtly gram
deur.
The fact that the mission is TO the coro-
nation ceremonies OF the CZar OF Russia at
Moscow gives it a peculiar significance.
Russia's attitude toward the Oriental ma
tions and her diplomatic relations with
them in connection with the Chiuo-Ja-
panese war are clearly remembered. The
great civilized nation OF the Orient has
shown friendly feeling for;the: Muscovite
neighbor.
laurels, so to sneak. are yet green on
Japan's brow, the opportunity is almost
*ripe for Japan to offer courteSles to the
Russian court and people. Japan has Sc
leoted for this work Marquis Gamagata,
who is beyond question the most distin-
guished Japanese soldier and statesman of
the time.
During the war with China the French
papers spoke of him as the Eon Moltke Of
Japan, ard he is said to com bine the
qualities of Bismarck and q Gladstone.
He is going to Europe surrounded by
soldiers, statesmen and scholars. With
him is Major Oshina, who. accompanied
him all through the war an educated gen.
tleman, and like many other confreres, a
hero:
The other members of the suite are ac-
complished, diplomatic, courteous gentle
men, VINO iltdh I1ASilSlIy lCAlCiI anu pC4-
man without an accent, and are equipped
by years of study at home and abroad to
discuss in various languages questions OF
state, and in short to shine among brilliant
men.
Mr.. Tsudzuki, the General Director of
the Imperial Archives of Japan, who is
acting as chief secretary of this mission,
speaks for the party to press representa-
tives. He is a man of athletic build and
above medium stature. with strong, in
tellectual face, polite to the last degree.
and well versed in knowing how to make
himself interesting.
His conversation betrayed the student
of political economy, the art of war and
diplomacy.
OF the Gar in Moscow" he said, "to rep
resent Japan officially. There will be one
imperial Prince at the coronation who
will represent the court of Japan. Mar
quis Yamagata will represent the country
officially as ambassador. Circumstances
viii nor permit the Marquis to remain
long in Europe. He is the most intiuen-
tial statesman and soldier In Japan and
cannot remain away long at this time.
Marquis Yamagata is one OF the sur
vivors of the great revolution of 1868, and
since then he has been prominently
identified with the reorganization. He
was responsible for every detail in the
strategy OF the battle of Ping Yang, and
other battles also, and was one OF the foul
leaders to be honored by the Emperor
after the Chinese war with ihe title O.
Marquis. He commanded the second
army at Port Arthur.
marquis Yamagata is one of these who
unite civil and military ability. A states
man and a stanch royalist, yet he per
mitted western liberal ideas to take root in
the country and let the japanese Govern
: ment be founded on the basis of self
government. He reformed almost every
branch Of the Interior administration
For instance, In the matter of church ano
state, he reorganized them so that the
church became an independent body, bu
controlled under the supervision o
the state while wholly free in the question!
of religion. He organized the police o.
the country under western ideas, ahd ha:
done much in the rectiication of river:
and floods, great work in old countrie!
where the forests have been cut down.
After having filed the office of Minis
ter of the Interior for eight years he went
to Europe. On his return he was nominated
Prime Minister and while he was in tina
Office the first parliament was revoked
IN Japan. There were storms in the new
parliament, it is true, but the system ha
succeeded. Soon after the parliament
closing his health began to fail ant
40 ne IeSlRucu. 1ut LII pSIoi tLcu dppOlusct
him President of the Privy Council. IL
that capacity he remained till the wa
began. The Emperor called him to hi
headquarters as lieutenant-general to ad
wise with him on military affairs, and
they worked out the plan of the campaign
together.
Marquis Yamagata went to the seen,
of action and was in the midst of th
fight as marshal, but was obliged to re
turn through failing health, which he die
only in response to imperial orders. A
home ne began to recover slowly, and the
Emperor nominated him Minister of War
and this office he held to the end of tn,
war.
He was nominated special embassado
to the coronation"
It was Marquis Yamagata who organized
the army of Japan on its present footing
but that was possible only after his year
of study of the military and civil institu
tions of Western countries.
The day of the party's departure from
San Francisco has not been determined
as the Marquis wishes to rest before con
tinuing the long journey.