The San Francisco call., 1897-07-30
JAPAN IS
BECOMING
POWERFUL
Best Modern Ordnance for
the Army and Navy Of
the Empire.
EXTENSION OF RAILWAY LINES
American Locomotives Held in
the Highest Favor by
the japanese.
THE GRASP OF RUSSIA on KOREA.
Great Railroad From St. Petersburg
to Vladivostok May Be Extended
South to Seoul.
THE GRASP OF RUSSIA on KOREA.
Great Railroad From St. Petersburg
to Vladivostok May Be Extended
South to Seoul.

Walter S. Stone, manager OF the Amer
lean Trading Company, Yokohama, is at
the Palace Hotel. Mr.. Stone formerly
lived in San Francisco, but seven years
have elapsed since he left California. He
is we'll known in the American colony of
Yokohama, and is familiar with many of
the commercial enterprises of the Orient.
In the development of the resources of
Japan he notes that Americans are con-
tributIng quite as actively as either Eng
lish or Germans. but he acknowledges
that the Germans are good traders and
WELD much Influence in Japan and other
countries.
Japan to-day is a prosperous and
strong nation. The people are patriotic,
progressive and alive with a spirit OF
national enthusiasm. The railroad man
ayers are on the lookout constantly to
procure the best equipment that the world
can produce, and it is noted that Amer
lean locomotives are being rapidly intro
duced. Locomotives OF the Baldwin and
Schenectady type are popular with rail-
road men, and the English builders find
themselves confronted by American COM
petitors. Much advancement is observed
in the use of electricity Cor light and
power, although the cost of establishing
electric plants restricts the general ap-
plication.
Accounts from Korea are to the effect
that Russian influences on that peninsula
are aIl-powerful. Russia has the upper
hand there and doubtless means to hold
the advantage After the death of the
queen the king lived for fifteen months at
the Russian Legation. A new palace for
the king is now in course of construction
at Seoul. The capital has been much i'm
proved by the adoption OF sanitary regu-
lations. The building of a railroad from
Vladiyostock to Seoul is one OF the early
possibilities in the development OF the
Orient. Russian engineers figure that the
great line across Siberia connecting Vladi-
vostock with St Petersburg Will be finished
within three years, and it is regarded as
certain that there will be a railway terml-
nus on the Pacific far enough south 10
have an open-water port the year round.
THE influence of Russia is so great and
the power. OF the empire so well recog-
niZed that no one in China would oppose
schemes OF Russian extension, and for
many good reasons Japan and Russia are
in accord.
"Americans. Germans and the British
are bidding Tor commercial prestige IN
Korea, and the Americans are said to be
holding their own against their competi-
tors. DR.. Allen is said to be the leading
American in Korea, SO far as personal or
political influence is conc arned. He was
formerly a missionary, but stands high in
favor with the ruling authorities"
Japan is taking steps to place herself
in line with the great powers Of the world.
The young men of the country respond
readily TO the call for military service.
The standing army is formidable and well
equipped with modern guns. The ships
of the japanese navy are of the modern
type and the guns are of the highest
power man ufactured. In some respects
Japan leads the United States.
An officer of the United States navy
who recently came to this city from Homo
lulu inspected, while at that port, the
Japanese warship there and found that
the Jap had better fighting facilities than
the Philadelphia possessei. The parlicu-
lar advantage noted was in the armament
The Japanese ship had some of the latest
Improvements in the handling of breech-
loading guns, and the shields to protect
the gunners were threefoid heavier on the
Jap than on the Philadelphia.
Japan is constantly on the lookout in
France and England for the latest i'm
provements in ordnance. This officer of
the American navy thought the Jap in
Hawaiian waters could whip the Ph ila-
delphia in a duel.
Japan is giving much attention at pres
ent to the fortification of her principal
harbors. The Diet recently appropria ted
$4,000, 600 for harbor defenses. The tenn
per of the people is in favor OF making
the empire formidable on land and sea-
the conquest of China by the army and
navy of Japan has made The Japanese
confident of success should another war
come.
Navy officers who have been in Japan
say that the people are in favor of war
with the United States.