Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-06

native press. and political agitators, with
the purpose in view of currying favor for
themselves with the people and of embar-
RAISING the existing japanese administra-
tion. have misrepresented the facts and
have latored zealously to inf.me the pop
ular prejudices. For instance, our tariff
legislation is represented to be a blow aim
ed specifically at Japan, demonstrating d
chang of sentiment our part and a
present strong dislike and fear of that ma
tioII. Not only is Hawaii pictured de-
fcnseless before japan, but the United
States its.lf il represented to be, as Kud-
yard I1ipIus suggests, temptingly spank
able.
Another Gauss. of ill-feelinS ty the jap
anesc toward the foreigners in the empire,
including Americans. is m" unconcealed
dread with which the latter note the ap-
proach of the year 1893, when the new
treaties go into effect which abolish
the consular courts and extend japanese
Jurisdiction over all residents of the
empire. Many OF the foreigners engaged
IN trade profess to fear both loss of per
sonal security and destruction of business.
The:r point to the various indications of
the popular belief that the foreigner. are
10 bc driven cut of the Japanese trade and
OF the increasing hostility OF the people to
outsiders They call attention to the re-
cent action of the diet of the empire III
Ias.ing d bounty act granting subsidy to
japanese exporters of raw silk, which they
view a. Il Virtual rebate of the export duty
for the ben-nt of their Japanese competit-
ors and T. discrimination against them.
Their .iistrus: and dislike are noted and
rt--iprocated by the Jauanese.
F:.r Americars to be surrounded by an
atrIosrherc uf hostility in Japan is nov
city. They have heretofore been excepted
when the auii-foreisn cry was raised. Even
nov, of course, the feeling against them
is couiine.: To a comparatively few among
the people, joss rot extend seriously to the
..ious.tfui and governing class and is. per-
hais. ten porarily fostered and exaggerated
TOR the purpose Of retaining for Japan as
hong possible some trade OF labor-colon-
izir.g advantages now enjoyed, which, 1t is
perceived. NUT at some time b.. surren-
dered, but of which the surrender may he
puStpcLsd.
interviewing Count Okumn.
l oD;ai.ed the government view of the
situation as uch of that view as the
government willing TO disclose in ar,
interview with Count Okuma, the minister
Of foreign affairs. who is the strong man
and dominating spirit of the present ad-
u.inistratiCu. lie played a prominent part
III ih- restoration Of the imperial govern
m=nt In 1s6s and since that time has been
OK. pix uous H. japanese political history
ar l. s.z. ;csni4,n and leader. whether in the
administration or in opposition. He was
ni?ist-r of the treasury from 1873 to 1881,
sI.d before his present term az min
iSi-r o: foreign affairs he held the same
portfolio. He IL consequently a statesman
OF riponeG experience, thoroughly identified
viii the new Jlu.tr. He has been and Is
now 4 s'ropg and uncompromisiny advocate
OF the adoption by japan of modern for
eisIi methods One of H. crie2 of the lead
ers OF the revolution OF 1875. who over.
threw the ShogunS. usurpsrs Of two cen
tuTies sIanjing. and restored to the mi
kado the temporal COVER. was the expul-
sion Of tbs foreigners and the return OF
Japin tn her previous condition of isola.
ton But tho brainy men who led this
movement. when once in power judged &C.
curately thu sitraticn aud changed theiI
views and their policy with lightning ra-
pidity They welcomed the foreigner ant
sor n time sat at his feet in order 10 lsarr
A!l that he could teach.
The Foreigners Must Co.
But they stopped to conquer. They learn