The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-15
TIE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS JAPAN.
Notes of n Thoughtful Observer or tho
"NuJIun with n Future"

NAGAsAKI, Japan. oct. 10.-A visitor to ia
pan win still ind 1t n most interesting coun-
try, even If he confines his tour to the beaten
tracks. and the beaten tracks OF to-day arc the
unOcaten tracks of yesterday. 1t is true that
much of the picturesque so far rs the pco pie
are concerned has departed, never to return.
No datmios, with their escorts Of retainecs. are
to be seen, no words are worn, hari-kari Is ex-
tinct, and the feudal barons of Yesterday are
the dapper men IN European clothes of to-day.
Much of the glamour has gone. the treaty
ports have been or are being vulGarizcd; but
japanese scenery still remains, with its rich
vegetation, noble groves, mountainous Sec
tions, and varied outlines. Besides this. the
common people away from the railroads and
beaten tracks are still agreeable and Interesting,
and the almost unlimited extension of thepass-
port system following treaty revision affords
opportunities Tor travel but lately within tho
reach of the ordinary tourist. AS u matter of
fact. japan can be said to be open in ell parts
to any tourisj WHO will accept japanese modes
OF travel and the fare and lie afforded by the
native tea houses. japan is prosperous Low as
probably never before. Imports, relatively
considered, are being reduced and exports in
creased. The manufacture OF articles for
home and foreign consumption is steadily in
crca>inG, both in quantity and range, and
though many articles hitherto bcautided by
Japanese tas." and art are being cheapeted in
quality and appearance in answer to the de-
inund5 Of foreign buyers anxious for larger
profits, still Japanese art and artists yet exist
IN the higher forms, and the japanese Govern
mcnt and ROYAL household do very much to
stimulate and reward their creations. The
foundation and development OF tho museum
in teno Park in Toxic will alone do much to
revive and sustain the ancient artistic skill in
many directions. The japanese wcro par ex-
~c"llence the decorators of the world. and, III
my opinion, they still remain so.
Though prosperous, Japan has had its share
Of m!sfortuues this past summer tormosa
j. still and aOsorb= much in the
way of LIE and money from Japan, while the
late tidal wave in the north of japan has cost
Japan much more in the way OF life than did
the China war directly and indirectly.
Politically. apan is still in transition. Uni
versal eluCatinn Will in time bring a demand
for universal suffrage. and at present all child
]altation Of the Mikado and tho reverence Tor
His chrome sun render, an irresponsible Minis
try a possibility. hut the existence Of a Parlia-
ment, with II life ruler aud without Il Parl;a-
mcntary Government and Ministry, is an
anomaly which will not have muca longer
duration. Already signs of its change. aIis.
ing from questions of budget and taxation, are
In the air.
employed aud It may be called the half
baked element 70 hc dealt with. With us it
is found in the Poaai.st;c aud new Democratic
l"AN 80 VIC Aii'N '"S 'ItNN'A' ilLlb u
SJsht, il ranges IRON honest discomfort and "a
nat!cal patriotism To the domain Of the bravo
do and paid assassin.
1t has Teen said not iunptly that Japan is the
child of the Old age Of civilization. With this
statement In view. It Is not reasonable TO call
the Japanese mere r9pyists and imitators of
civilization. Tho good things OF the civilized
world, inaccessible to Japan trom its long isD.
latiou. require careful chOlccl adaptation, and
assimilation. THIS Will employ the Japanese
for many years. and invention and original
progress will come in due time and later.
Modern N,nrltEn nnn!llEEts IIE nlpfha1A
have proven ii great success, In JAPANESE hands.
and the Stimulus will extend 10 the use OF
The genius for organization l. an element OF
the Japanese character, and though national
sclt-estcem seems to have reached It's maxi
mum Just now, it does not ,Icyent II continued
reaching out for the Loyl thi, KS of the civil
lied world. Here n danger lies. II Japan de-
sires TO play the part OF i Efta' power In the
gamo going on in the extreme Orient She may
find a setback which. viii place, her in strength
and unsettled conditions with tho South Amer
lean rcpuhlics-n future u'ouhcsicl for her by
the shrcwd Sir Harry lar.v,.
But, fortunately, II middle class is being
formed In japan from the lAcgcanfiio and com
lncrciul lasses-classe which formerly were
rated among the lowest, both socially AMI for
and Influence Of these classes Will come u
greater for pcHeo and against use
less war.
The japanese are rapidly getting all of the
threads Of administration bo'A in private and
public life, into their own hands, This Is wise
for many reasons. They need all tho employ
nlent they can get, aud though they can under-
1--we the EurOpcan, with his ,p"rsrr and strong.
er .fbre, the European Is Tho more mastcrtul
and can ]opcrlive. ms Lat,n no lienrn puts it
override, rs would pm ~ tho less vigorous
Japanese, Few Europeans now remain III tho
Governmental service. aud comparatively few
IN the employ Of the great railway ana steam
shin lines or industrial works ia lapnn.
or tho inner and domestic If" ut Janan n
pnssnrby can honestly say nothing. japan
and the Japanese To Americans lHve been Ike
adopted children. We lave opened our hearts.
our homes, our private ana nubll" establish
mcnls to them, freely and with the utmost
IL hus not been my fortune to
hear that this unrestricted hospitality has been
returned In Kind. BUT. IN speaking Of the
inner life and consciousness Of the Japanese |
am trespas5lng upunatnc domain which LRf-
alon. las discovered what OTHERS have failed
10 see aud deliueatc, or whether he has disrov-
cred what may not exist, | am not competent
70 say. | think, however, | can 'atcly say that
learn does not lack Imagination.
NOVAGEuH.