The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-31

! ing strength had been admitted TO the
Conference.-The factor OF Japanese ApblIc
opinion. In 1882 Japanese statesmen had O
free hand. There was no Parliament. The
press dared not venture to be outspoken
To whatever the Government did the
people had to bow But every year
that passed brought the nation nearer
| to the opening OF the Diet. Political parties
| rapidly grew to formidable dimensions; the
press became too powerful TO be muzzed and
the Administration began to recognize the
necessity Of deferrnR to popular judgment
| The popular judgment demanded equality
| with the foreigner. There was no desire to
drive him out OF the country. still less to return
TO the old seclusion. But the people wanted to
| be on even terms with him. They were ex-
aspcrated by his masterful ways; they felt Bit
terly aggreved by his persistent in difference to
their national claims: they had grown keenly
! impatient OF his contemptuous discrimination
against them; they had learned to believe
| that Cancellation could never soften his OBJ
| duracy. and they thought that to escape
| from the humiliation OF the old trea-
! ties by making concessions which must
again proclaim their country's inferiority
would be an unsatisfactory exit from CALLING
situation. No Cabinet could afford to ignore
sentiment so widespread. and II was thus that
tho guarantees obtainable by western States
v
quantity.
There is undoubtedly some une ca sin ess felt In
Jaran Just now 10y the alien population. some
rescnting the apparent indifference shown to
their objections. while others ask whether the
administration OF unfamiliar laws by inex-
perienced judges Is q safe experiment. On the
whole. however. according to the Toxic cor
respondent. the temper OF the foreign
residents is excellent. and that nothing
OF good intention or liberal interpreta-
tion will be wanting on the d, OF Japanese
officials may be taken for granted. Friction
and complications cannot. OF course. be entirely
avoided. but they are not at all likely to be Sc
rious. 1t used to be a common saying among
the foreign residents that appeals to Japanese
law courts we're useless. But the mplaint was
based on the old-time procedure OF the courts.
not on the competence or disposition OF the
Judges. Before the new Code OF Civil Pro-
cedure went into operation in 1901 no ma
chinery existed for preventing the aliena-
ton OF debtors property during the
interval between the delivery OF judg-
ment by a lower tribunal and it's conHrma-
ton by higher. Thus suitors often found
that when their claims had been legally REQ
ognized there was nothing to satisfy them.
Statistics show that In the great majority
Of cases foreign appeals to Japanese civil
courts succeeded. but the tangible re-
suits were frequently nil. There is no
longer any room for such abuses. however.
and there never has been any just ground for
questioning the impartialty OF Japanese
Judges Tito these consider ations we add the
fact that a system OF arbitration has been
elaborated which ought to obviate nearly all
necessity for litigation between foreigners and
natives. the outlook ceases to be disquieting.
As to the question whether the complete
opening OF the country Is likely to effect any
large increase OF the field for foreign enter
prise. 1t lie not easy to speak with conf
dence. The opponents OF treaty revision
have always answered in the negative. Yet
1t seems unreasonable to suppose that. in
a country where the banks can afYoru to
pay g or per cent. on current accounts
and where manufacturing industry is on the
threshold OF great career, no opportuni-
ties present themselves for the pronta-
Bile employment OF foreign capital and for
eign experience. The Japanese are obviously
unable to fully develop the resources OF
their islands without aid from abroad-aid In
the shape. not only Of money. but also OF
expert knowledge. 1t is true that they are
gradually working their way into the coun.
try's foreign commerce. In 1897. out Of
q total trade Of IS million yen. the
share taken by native merchants was
only 1l1 millions: in 1897. out OF
total trade OF 1921 millions. their share was
124 millions. 1t Is also true that. In spite Of
the rapid development OF the country's over
sea commerce. the number OF foreigners
engaged in carrying 1t on does not In
crease appreclably. Thus. whereas tho
value Of the trade swelled from 1929 million
yen in 1891 to 442S millions In 1893.
the four nationalities chiefly engaged in con-
Quoting it-namey the British. the Amer
thar and thn h
$500 In the former year and 1894 In the
latter. In other words while the trade
nearly trebled. the number OF foreigners
engaged in it increased by only 6 per
cent. The apparent inference is that whereas,
on the one hand, the Japanese are learning to
do by themselves the work formerly done for
them by foreigners. the foreigners. on the
other. are not reapng profits proportionate
to the increasing volume Of their bust
ness. The appearance OF the settlements
suggests similar conclusion. for it ia
In the native quarters. not the foreign. that
signs OF expansion and prosperity are chiefly
disccrnible. Probably foreigners will find
their best opportunity In combining with jap
anese for industrial purposes. Such combina-
tons have hitherto been forbidden by law. but
the veto. In common with many other irk.
some restrictions. will now cease to have
effect.
Tho London season is practically over. ono
by one the theatres are closing. railway sta
tons are crowded with passengers Fastening
to escape the heat in London. members OF
Parliament are debating with scant hopes the
possibility OF n Propagation before st. Grouse's
day. Aug IL. In one respect the London sea-
son IL Unsuitable. 1t demands entertain
ment and exacts novelty and excellence as es-
sential to that entertainment The question OF
money does not arise; II 10 In vain that Nine
Melba hopes to lessen her engagements by
charging $500 for singing at a private house:
equally vain is Paderewski's attempt to escape
from similar engagements by asking Ell. 900
for short evening recital.
1t has become q commonplace in London
that it is impossible to visit a theatre without
finding Americans filling i'm portant roles ifnot
forming tho entire company: 1t Is equally true
that no at home." reception" or "soiree
musicale programme Is complete without
representatives from the United States. It
may he Devoll and Isham with the latest coon
lullaby or French chanson arranged as q duet.
possibly Mrs Henry Gieow. who to-day gave