The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-03
A Rabid Halter of Foreigners and the
Chief of the Soshi, One of the Curses
of the Japanese Empire.
MONEY STRINGENCY in JAPAN
RAILWAY SHARES DECLINE AND
COLLECTIONS ARE DIFFICULT.
Newspapers Invite Foreign Capital
lists to Invest, but English Bank
ers Decline to Respond.
correspondence Of the journal.

Correspondence Of the Journal.
TOKYO, Japan, Sept. S-Mr. Hoshi Toru,
late minister of Japan to the United States,
is back IN this capital He took leave c.
absence without asking anybody's permis-
sion, and consequently is roasted" by not
a few influential papers, such as the Jill
and the Nichi Nichi. To the Cabinet he is
about as welcome as bull in a china
store, but Mr.. Hoshi is power in his way,
and so they try to make the best of bad
bargain. A number of the leading members
of the Constitutional party gave a dinner
: in his honor at the Koyokwan, Shiba,
which was attended by Count Itagaki and
two other members of the Cabinet. There
were speeches. of course, and Mr.. Hoshi
informed his audience as to the United
States. He stated that the struggle be-
tween the advocates of the gold and silver
standard in the United States is growing
fiercer and more desperate with the aD
proach of the next presidential election.
The silver party. who failed to elect their
nominee in the last electoral contest, have
earnestly endeavored to gather more sup
porters in order to increase their influence.
With reference to the tax tea, Mr. Hoshi
remarked somewhat contemptuously that
1.-The United States government seems in
clined to raise it's tariff at every opportuni-
ty." Referring to the question of the Phil
ippnes, 1t was Mr.. Hoshi's opinion that the
majority in America seems to deem it
advisable to take possession of the islands,
and that the treaty for the restoration of
peace between America and Spain will
probably be concluded without an article
to that effect.
This was the gist of Mr.. Hoshi's re-
marks. Now, few words about him. If
the former United States minister to
Japan, Edwin Dun, had done his duty, Mr..
Hoshi would not have been admitted as
minister to the United States. Every jap
anese in America knows that Hoshi Toru
is the recognized head of the Soshi. one of
the curses of Japan. The honest Japanese
press regards him with well-founded aver
sion both the Jill and the Nichi Nichi
have paid their compliments to him in un-
mistakable terms. Mr. Hoshi is one of
those politicians who have an extravagant
opinion of themselves and who cause
trouble to every one with whom they come
into contact He began his political life as
rabid hater of foreigners. In 1873 or 1874
Hoshi was superintendent of customs at
Yokohama, and as such drew the attention
of the late Sir Harry Parkes upon himself
by referring in his official papers to Queen
Victoria as Moo, or female cheftain indi-
eating that her rank was below that of
Mutsuhito. Sir Harry understood Orientals
and soon brought Hoshi to his senses. Aft
erwards Hoshi suffered Imprisonment for
political offenses. During the war with
China he appointed himself as adviser to
the unfortunate King of Korea invaded
that country with a number of his Soshi,
and unlimited, forced his way into the
presence of that unfortunate monarch.
The Soshi murdered the Queen whether by
Hoshis orders or not will probably never
be known. Mr.. Hoshi does not like the
United States there is no scope for a man
of his talents in that country, and if he
should try to exercise them, somebody
would sit down on him with a thud These
are the reasons why he left and why he
does not want to return.
The following proclamation appears in the
Official Gazette:
I'm confirmation of its resolution to put
into operation the new treaties from July,
1899, the government has already forward
ed the prescribed notice to the respective
powers as stipulated in the treaties The
work of revision of the treaties which has
been so earnestly desired by both the gov
ernment and the people since the restora-
ton, has now been consummated, and after
a lapse of less than year, the country
will at last be brought into friendly inter-
course with foreign countries upon a foot
ing of equality. 1t is, however, necessary
to consider the discharge of obligations SIM
ultaneously with the acquisition of a right
The behavior of the people towards foreign
ers will not only indicate the standard of
progress and civilization in Japan, but will
involve the honor and dignity of the ma
ton. The people are hereby instructed to
meet foreigners with magnanimity and lib
eral-mindedness. and to receive them with
friendship and consideration, to the end
that the reputation of the people and the
glory of the empire may be elevated.
COUNT ITAGAKI TAISUKE,
Minister of Home Affairs"
What does this prove? That the govern
ment itself has grave apprehensions about
the attitude of the people towards foreign
ers. If more proof is wanted | am pre-
pared to furnish it,
ASSAULTS UPON FOREIGNERS
Governor Omori. of Hyogo. was compelled
to take notice of the frequent and unpro-
volSed assaults upon foreigners and to issue
a proclamation. a synopsis of which is given
by the Yushin hippo. He begins by saying
that 1T is an undeniabe fact that of late
coolies frequently adopt a most insolent at
titude towards foreigners. but he did not
think they had any deep or sinister design
m doing so. Their conduct was simply
sort of horse play. and. indeed, it was not
only foreigners who complained of such
acts, but Japanese also. 1t is unfortunately
only too well known that the coolies are
in the habit of shouting obscene words and
making indecent gestures with regard to
women passing through the streets
Al sora 40 L q
horse play, and foreign gentlemen escort