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

superiority of the foreigner himself He
wishes to arm the Japanese with every
Known artificial weapon in order that con-
ditions being equal, his countrymen may
demonstrate the natural superiority with
counts belief in Japanese capacity and of
his ambitiop for Japan's future is indi-
Gated in speech delivered by him before
he was made for the second time minister
of foreign affairs, and when he could talk
with greater freedom than as member
o. the administration. As quoted by Henry
Norman In his Peoples and Politics of the
Far East" the count on this occasion said
The European powers are already show
ing symptoms Of decay, and the next cent
tury will see their constitutions shattered
ard their empires in ruins Even II this
should not quite happen, their resources
VIII have become exhausted in unsuccessful
attempts at colonization. Therefore who
IL nj TO he their proper successors If not
ourselves? What nation except Germany
France. Russia, Austria and Italy can put
2O,pO men into the field inside of a mont n i?
AS to intellectual power, the Japanese mind
IS IN every way equal to the European
mind. 1t Is true the Japanese are small CT
Stature, but the superiority of the body de-
pends more on its constitution than on its
size. IF treaty revision were contempla ted
and Japan completely victorious over
China, we should become one of the chief
powers of the world, and no power could
engage in any movement without first con-
sultins us. Japan could then enter into
competition with Europe as the representa-
tive of the oriental races
This digrcssion may serve to suggest
what manner of man Count Okuma is, and
may also throw some light upon the guard
ed statements Of his interview.
American Tobacco in Japan.
I met Count Okuma in the reception room
of the foreign office at Tokyo, in sight OF
the spot where he was crippled by the
would-be assassin's bomb. On table in
the center of the room In evidence Of the
prevailing national habit was a plentiful
supply of cigarettes and a complete smok-
ing outfit for the use of visitors The
count entered with a cigarette in his mout h
| and smoked constantly during the inter.
View. Incidentally ii may be mentioned ID
that the count Is credited with objecting ia
the tobaccoless cigarettes SO largely used
by the japanese. with thinking that their
use tends to prevent the desired increase
OF the stature of the nation, and with q
disposition to encourage increased impor.
tations Of real tobacco from America. Mr.
Mitsuheshi. his private secretary, served as
| the int elligent and accurate Interpreter nj
our conversation.
The lines uLon the counts th-shayer
face and his scanty gray hairs suggest his
| age Of nearly sixty years. His face is g
strong one, with good forehead, promi.
| nLnt cheek bones, a broad flat nose. and a
| large. firm mouth, with a cynical half.
| sthile lurking at each upward-tendink cor.
| nar. He talks quickly and nuently, and
| gives his interpreter great deal to re.
| Hen. ber before he stops to take breath
| His projecting testh. showing conspicu.
Gus gold filling, Arc very much in evidence
when he speaks. and make as vivid an i'm.
| pr ession upon the spectator ae those II,
| theodore Roosevelt.
! After the customary health queries and
an Interchange of courtesies concerning
| the comparative facilities and entoyments
OF travel in Japan AMI the United States
l referred to the hostils comment upon
| the proposed new tariff Of the United
| States in the native press and chambers OF
commerce. and asked whether In the
| counts opinion there was any danger of q
| material lessening of the traditional friend.
Continued on Eighth PaEe)