The Anaconda standard., 1899-08-09
LIFE AMONG THE JAPS
Aliens Feel Secure Under the
New Order of Things.
NO TROUBLE ANTICIPATED
The japanese Government Is Anxious to
Prove to the Western World That
1t Is a Civilized and Intelli-
gent Nation.

iOhohama- July 2S, via Victoria, B.
c., Aug. S.-Life among foreigners here
under the new treaties is progressing
as smoothly as under the old. and the
fears of those who imagined that on
the 18th of July. when we passed un-
der Japanese jurisdiction, tumbrils
would be backed against our doors and
all foreigners carted away to Jail, have
not been justified. Some attribute the
calm to the fact that because the
French and Austria Hungarian treaties
do not go into effect until Aug. 4. the
Japanese government is simply asleep
until that date knowing that in case Of
any difficulty the most favored ma
ton clause can be availed of by other
treaty powers. But the simple truth
is that the higher officials are genuine
ly anxious that no trouble shall arise
either after or before that date.
Japan is summoning all her energies,
backed by her pride, to show to the
western world that she is equal to her
new responsibility, and to deserve her
new position in the family of nations.
There will therefore be no trouble If
those high in authority can prevent it.
The chief difficulty will come from
petty officials, who unfortunately are
the ones with whom foreigners come in
to close and daily contact. These are
indeed carefully instructed by their su-
periors to use the utmost discretion in
dealing with aliens. but as is the case
everywhere, the men are unable to use
what they do not possess. The troubles
anticipated will not come from the Jap
anese, because they are japanese, but
because they are human.
~ h. hill :. in- i,aS hi iS
cause, and of the lengths to which the
annoyanceS may be carried, a recent
occurrence in Osaka furnishes an illus
tration. A foreign lady out for walk
with her little daughter was stopped by
a policeman who, pointing to the girls
bare arms, insisted that she should be
taken home and properly dressed. In
the native crowd. which gathered was
a Japanese boy stark naked, with 9TH
ers of various ages and both sexes in a
state of semi-nudity, There is no
doubt that the OVer-ZealOuS official will
have to suffer severely for this exer-
else of his little brief authority" The
matter has aroused general comment,
as well as a great deal of fun among
the foreign community in all quarters
of the country. Mingled with the fun.
however, there is much indignation and
caustic criticism actuated by the fear
that this may be only the beginning of
petty troubles which are to make the
foreigners life here miserable.
The earnest desire of the heads of the
government to avoid friction is mani
fest in the many eager and successful
attempts on their part to bring the
foreign elements into close and cordial
relations with the natives. The gov
ernor of this ken and the mayor of the
city, with this purpose in view, have
just issued invitations to a garden
party on grand scale. In Osaka En-
kobe, on the occasion of the turning
over of the foreign concessions to
japanese, formal ceremonies were held
and speeches made in which the most
friendly sentiment prevailed on both
sides. All things considered, while
some freely predict that in less than a
year Japan will be heartily sick of hel
new bargain. the general view is that
the best auguries attend the opening
of the new era.
Yokohama has been rejoicing of late
in the visits of returning American
soldiers, and their countrymen here
have every reason to be proud of the
conduct and bearing of the regiments
which have landed. Last week the
great transports brought the Nebras.
kas, Utahs and Pennsylvanians. Near
ly $500 men for two days thronged the
streets, and yet during the entire time
there was not a single arrest for drunk.
police interference on any score. The
boys We're supremely happy, not only
in their new-found paradise but most
of all in the fact that it is on their way
home. Their tall forms attracted uni
rersal attention, while their thin faces
accentuating the Yankee type, bore
witness to the terrible hardships they
had undergone, and ELECTED universe
sympathy.
The coming of the first fleet of trans.
ports was unexpected. and for it the
American community was unprepared
But now the ladies have organized tt
give all the boys who land here a fore
taste of the reception which awaits
them at home. Next Sunday the Colo
radios are to come on the Warren, and
everything possible will be done tc
show them that Americans living
abroad have not forgotten their duties
of hospitality. nor are lacking in ap-
probation of those who have been
fighting for their country's flag.
REVOLT IN GREAT COMORO,