Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-28
HOW TO ECONOMIC.

by this that the new regime has been well
coined enthusiastically by every one. For
eigners in country where exterritoriality
prevails. as 1t did in Japan. occupy an ex-
ceptiOnal position. They are not subject
to the jurisdiction of the country Of their
sojourn in civil or criminal proceedings.
In some cases the Interpretation of the
principle of exterritoriality has been so
broad as to absolve them from obedience
to any law of the land, no matter how
necessary and just. until it has been for
mally approved or re-enacted by the au-
thorities of their own nation. They live in
settlements or treaty ports set apart
by mutual agreement. and the same i'm
munity is held to apply to their places OF
residence. which thereby become practical
ly foreign municipalities. Such a state of
things is naturally calculated to arouse in
the minds of most men feeling. if not of
superiority. at least of Indifference, so far
as concerns their attitude toward the Off
Gals and people of the country in which
they live. 1t tends, also, to create the i'm
preston that the privileges and immuni-
ties thus enjoyed are indispensable and
their surrender matter to be strongly
deprecated. This was no doubt the general
FEELING among foreigners In Japan before
the new treaties went into operation, al
though the more thoughtful among them
must have realized that the indefinite per-
petuation of their eXterritorial status, un-
der existing conditions. must Ultimately be
injurious to their own interests.
1T is to the credit Of the majority of for
eigners in Japan that they accepted the
new order of things gracefully. There are.
OF course. econcilables-prophets Of evil
before the event, and beholders of bad
omens after it. 1t is from such as these
that you hear now and then. the complaint
that everything Is not going we'll and that
Japan Is in very bad way indeed. One
thlng in particular some of them are fond
of dwelling upon-the alleged growth of
the so-called anti-foreign feeling. This is
an old cry and a mischieyous one But II
baSeleSS There G iy,
the world where the resident or the WIS.,
ftor who observes the ordinary decencies
and amenities of life will be more consid-
era.ely received and more kindly treated
than in Japan.
Dangers Involved in CHANGE
THE leading men of Japan In the early
days of foreign Intercourse realized the
dangers to which the anomalous state of
affairs then prevailing exposed the nation
The country was disturbed by internal dis
sensions and the government of the Shogu-
nate showed signs OF weakness foreboding
early dissolution. This confusion continued
for several years after the conclusion of
the early foreign treaties steadily growing
greater. until it eliminated in the over
throw of the Shotgun and the resumption
by the emperor of all the administrative
functions of government. Strangely enough,
this event was regarded by some for
eign observers at the time as a rcac-
tionary movement The jof party those
who demanded the expulsion Of foreigners.
no doubt figured prominently in the at
tack upon the Shotgun. but important events
Immediately following the rest Grafton proved
conclusively that the policy they advocated
had no place IN the new scheme of govern
ment For his majesty at once formally
confirmed the treaties and announced plan
of domestic reform based on the broadcast
and most liberal lines. Its keynote was the
improvement OF the nations condition by
the spread of useful knowledge and the
adoption from foreign nations of whatever
was adaptable to the peoples needs and
calculated to increase the general pros
pertty and happiness Freedom of religious
belief was established by the abolition of
the rigorous restrictions upon the teaching
OF foreign creeds hitherto in force. Ma
tional education became the object of spe-
cial care. and the government itself took
the Initiative In introducing modern appli-
ances for creating and increasing industrial,
commercial and agricultural wealth. Ex-
tensive and radical changes were made in
the laws. in judicial methods and in the
administration Of public affairs.
'One reform. and by no means the least
important, was the change made in the
system of land tenure. Japan was an agri-
cultural country. and the land represented
the bulk Of the national wealth and con-
tributed most of the public revenue. Be
fore the restoration 1t was apportioned in
great part among the Damyos, or feudal
mobiles. who held the title and leased the
land to their vassals. When the emperor
assumed control aHalrS these QODl6S
surrendered their fefs into his hands, re-
ceiving in return bonds representing only
a fraction of the value OF their territorial
holdings. This act of patriotic seif-abne-
CATION. which was absolutely voluntary,
was followed by total change in the sys-
tenn OF land tenure. the farmers receiving
from the government in lieu OF their for
mer leasehold titles other titles in fee SIM
PIE. Only one feature of this far-reachtng
and radical change need be noted, namely,
the decentralization II effected in taxation
upon what was justly regarded the prin-
ctpal source OF national wealth In feudaI
days each Daimyo taxed his tenants as he
pleased. Under the new system the taxa
ton of land was made uniform and mate
rally reduced.
Reform In Military Affairs.
Another vitality important change follow
ing the restoration the reform intro
duce-1 In military and naval affairs. Under
the old regime the profession of arms was
confined to one class-the Samurai The
enactment Of a general conscription law
made the army and navy representative OF
all Classes. thus removing the danger in
separable from the existence of an exclu-
sively military caste. Nor do 1 think that
the result has proved that this change was
conducive to the growth of spirit of mill
tarism. That spirit was naturally conspicu-
Gus in the ancient Samurai, but in modern
Japan the military and naval establish
ments are important. but not dominant fac
tors in national development.
'Japan's greatest progress has been on
peaceful lines. The most conspicuous re-
suits have been the Introduction of liberal
political Institutions and the general i'm
provement in material conditions. Popular
education as already stated. has been an
object Of constant solicitude, and even in
the higher forms has been made accessi-
BILE to all classes. As regards religion. thu
government has not interfered beyond guar
anteeIng perfect freedom to the teachings
Of all forms OF religious faith and leaving
the choice 10 Individual conscience
THE consensus of intelligent public opin-
lon recognizes the fact that Japan's surest
hope Of continued prosperity Is to be found
In commercial and industrial growth