Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-10-09
SEES No WAR CLOUDS
Marquis Ito. Of Japan. Talks Of
the Situation in the
Orient.
"
Sees No Signs Of War Clouds in
the East :. Progress Of
Japan.
Assimilation Of Western Ideas
Doing Much for the
japanese.

l..
easy stages and with much democratic
simplicity, the Marquis Ito, the Japan
ese Bismarck" regarded by his country
men as the great oriental creative
genius, reached st. Paul late yesterday
afternoon on his way to the east.
The physician of the marquis rules his
movements. and the length of days
journey and the duration of his visit in
the United States depend upon the medi-
cal edict. If the physician permits, the
trip may reach across the Atlantic to
England. but 1t may come to conclu-
sion any moment.
DR.. Koyama, physician to the mar
quis, describes the condition OF 1tos
health by somewhat peculiar figure Of
speech. I'VE have a glass box with us,
he said, "and 1t may crack at any time. :"
There is no war cloud in the orient
now" the marquis said. Even Russia
is willing to conciliate and does not seem
inclined to crowd the Japanese.
There does not seem to be an menace
to the peace of the east. The intentions
of Russia towards Corea do not alarm
the Japanese, and the relations OF Japan
with other countries are most cordial. A
feeling of security will not be allowed to
d!sarm the Japanese government. but
there is nothing in the aspect Of eastern
questions to cause alarm.
II do not look for war. 1t is not prob
able that even the building of the Trans
Siberian railroad will carry any prob
lens which will threaten peace.
Just now Japan is suffering from the
reaction of It's victorious war with
China. In our country, as in others, the
victory was followed by abnormal activ-
ity in business lines. The reaction from
these abnormal conditions now has come
and the country is suffering from it TO
an extent.
Our trade relations with other coun-
tries cause the most concern. Our peo-
pie are beginning to feel the injustice
put upon them by the treaties with 9TH
ler countries. They are coming to real
ize that 1t is not fair that other coun-
tries should be permitted to levy pro-,
tective tariff against Japanese goods
and Japan should be prohibited from
placing a protective duty on the goods
brought In by other nations.
I'VE have no recourse. 1t is matter
of treaty, and the other nations will hold
us to our treaties. But II is not regarded
as fair and Just.
Now is the time when our Industries
could be fostered by protective tariff
just as yours were in their infancy. On
some goods we are allowed to place a
high duty, but on the majority the
treaties stipulate that 1t shall be low.
The feeling that this conditions OF af-
fairs is unjust does not carry any feel
ings of resentment towards the other
countries. We recognize that the other
countries have been friends to- US. This
is especially true Of the United States.
Your country is developing the trade OF
the east and 1t should BIZ. able to get and
hold It. With the possession Of the Phil
ippines. America should be able to DOM
mate the trade of the orient"
What is the tendency of Japan So
cially?" he was asked.
With men the tendency is to adopt
foreign customs and modes Of Dress"
he answered. with the women 1t is
to. retain native habits. especially with
regards to clothes. There is a dis
tinctively feminine reason for this.
The women look prettier in the native
dress. There is no western garment
that becomes a woman 80 much as
They can not be SO comfort
able in garment fashioned after the
modes of the west. For the men the
western style is better. 1t is more
adapted to the needs of business life"
It was suggested that in few details
of dress American women were borrow
ing from the Japanese.
Yes we are not altogether nation
of imitators," said the marquis.
He was asked IL he thought that the |
reason for the wonderful renovation
of the Japanese nation was due to the |
readiness of the Japanese to initiate. |
It was not so much imitation as as
he said. The Japanese as
simulated everything like dry sponge
thrust into water. But they did more |
than assimilate. They had to origl- |
nate. They had to adjust foreign ideas
to local conditions. Take their laws.
They could not initiate them. With |
reference to rivers, for instance Your
laws are framed with regards to rivers |
IS highways. Our laws on rivers are
made first with regard to their uses in
agriculture.
Then again. We could not have taken
of western ideas in fine
arms without modification. In the
0ccident military affairs are provided
With an idea to fighting in the open and
IN level ground. We have to modify
hem to tit q mountainous country"
Religiously, the marquis said, Japan