The evening times., 1896-08-01
THROUGH JAPANESE EYES
America as Viewed by an En-
terprising Foreigner.
MIR. TWANAGA ON A TOUR
General Manager of the japan Steam
ship Company Is Seeing All the Big
Citfes-BeIieves Free Silver Would
Open His Country and China to Our
Industries.

Mr.. 7. Twanaga, OF Toxic, Japan, the
general manager of the Japan Mail Steam
ship Company, with his private secretary.
Nr. n. Kafuka, is stopping at the Ebbttt
House.
Mr.. Twanaga is a thorough going busi-
ness man; in plain ''yernacuiar.' lie Is
hustler" with all the energy and push of
an enterprising WesterBer, combined with
the thrift or \ Yankee,
Under his mana cement the Japan Steam
sLip Company, wi:chhas been organlzedand
run by Japanese for nearly twenty-five
years, has continued to grow and flourish
until now it controls tie greater portion OF
,the.trafric between mer1ca and MS native
country.
fits main line runs from Toxic to Seattle,
WASH, but subiines to other points. or the
sfxty-two ships owned by the company, the
greater number were built in English ship
yards, aud vary in size from 500 to 3, $50
tons.
During the recent japan China war Cen
erai Manager Twanaga placed large
number of his vessels in the hands of the
government, and they were used us war
slips and TO convey men and supplies. His
company is capitalized at attwenty-twomillion
yen, japanese money, and this amount
represents about 81 5000 900 in United
States money.
JAPAN Is PROSPEROUS.
Mr.. Twanaga's interests are closely al
lied with those OF America, and he nat
urally keeps well posted on affairs on this
side Of the Pacific. and is close observer
OF cur political operations, as well Us our
Industrial and commercial progress.
Speaking to n Times reporter of the two
countries aud their relations, he said:
THE Japanese pattern in many things
after the Americans, and our people. are
just now very prosperous. We are build
ing up our industries and manufacturing
plants very rapidly, but our resources are
still undeveloped and our ability not yet
fully displa yed.
I'VE are very anxious to have our trade
relations with the States increase, it would
be OF great benefit to. roth countries. We
have 40, ,04o,000 OF people, and with their
eHii ightenment their wants become more
numerous. We want American products
from the plantations, the farms and ranches
to feed our people and cotton to manufac-
ture.
II understand you are having much dis
cussion just now. about the money ques-
ton. OF course, as is well known, Japan
admits silver free for coinage and we pro-
duce considerable OF the white metal.
honestly believe that IL the United States
greatly increase with Japan and also with
China. Japan could not flourish on gold
alone; it would too much decrease the
volume of our money.
II seein the newspapers one thing which
anuses me: that japan is sending bicycles
to America and selling them for $40.
That makes me laugh We have not one
bicycle factory in all Japan. Some Of our
people ride wheels, but they come from
England and America, and because of the
competition are sold the re somewhat
cheaper than see you pay for them here
at home
'No, the Japanese bicycle I imagine to
be the invention of some OF your politicians.
1t is all myth, what you call it IA
shoodco.'
THE MODERN IMPROVEMENTS
"Our main shipments to America con
sists Of silks, tea, mating, matches and
small trinkets and Japanese ware
'.Our commerce with China is very large
and was even kept up during the war
Japan is completely traversed by rail
/ ROADS, and in Toxic, which is ten miles II
| diameter, and contains a million nd 8
| half of inhabitants, we have great many
modern Improvements The city is lighted
| by electricity and the council is just now
| engaged in discussing the trolley system
| We have electric cars. but the discussion !:
about the overhead trolley and the un,ier
ground wire. There are many modern
| buildings scattered over the city and
| street paving is being pushed
! The object OF the visit OF the two
| Japanese gentlemen TO America, where
| they have been since July 1, is to coafe
/ with President Hill. OF the Missouri Pa
| cific Railroad, In relation TO making con
/ neciions with their steamstip company
! They had q conference with that gentleman
| in st. Paul, and as result the c0mpa
| MES will act together in regard TO rate,
\ and other matters.
Mr.. Twanaga and his secretary bav
since been visiting in New York and ottie
Eastern points, and today called upon th'
4 Japanese minister for a friendly chat
and will dine at the leeation tonight.