The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-08-18
j. YAMAGUcHI, OF THE SANYO.
ROAD SAYS BUSINESS Is
BOOMING
Fifteen HUNDRED MILES
I'M THE PAST SIX YEARS
Improvements in Transportation Facil-
tiles Have Been Followed by Boom
in Industrial Activity, and the Coun-
try Will Soon Be Network of Rails.

ACCORDING TO j. 4dIndSuCHIB CAicA
civil engineer of the Sanyo Railway
company of Japan, that country is en-
joying a period of activity in railroad
construction such as has never before
been seen in the land of the Mikado.
Mr.. Yamaguchi, who is at the Ryan no.
tel has been in America for the past
six months familiariZing himself with
the railway systems of this country. He
has made a special study of rolling
sack and roadbeds.
Said Mr.. Yamaguchi yesterday:
"Since the close of the war with China
there has been in Japan desire for
Western education and civilization. Our
people, recognizing that the most po-
tent factors are railroads, began to
clamor for better transportation facili-
ties at the close of the war. More rail-
roads and better equipment were de-
manded.
"As a result 1900 miles of rails have
been laid in the past six years. This
is almost half of the entire railway
mileage of the country, which is some
what less than 1000 miles.
about twenty years ago the
change came. Our people have learned
railroad construction. Many young
men were sent abroad to study civil
engineering and railroad construction.
When these boys returned, filled with
Western enthusiasm and ideas, the
fever for railroads and improved trans
portation facilities once more broke out
anew.
Along Inland Sea.
cit was then that the Sanyo line was
Hive wears later active work
was begun, and since then we have
been improving and charging it yearly.
Our road at present is direct line along
the Inland sea, from Kobe to Balkan, a
distance of $50 miles. We have under
advisement the establishment of sew
eral branch lines into the interior.
"Our road was constructed at a cost
of approximately $4,000 mile. This
is about the average cost of railroad
construction in Japan. l think | am
safe in saying that the government
road cost fully five times this amount.
The $35, 900 covers the cost of land.
grading, labor and material.
Railroads in Japan have about the
same rights and privileges as in Amer
lea. A railroad corporation can con-
denim property for its right of way. A
great many of the railroads are con-
trolled by Americans and EngliShmen.
However, the Sanyo line is strictly a
home institution. All the capital and
stock is in the hands of our own citi-
zens and the officers are all Japanese.
MANY new lines have been built
within the last six years. After the
war with China there was an activity
in the construction of railroads such
as the country has never before expe-
rienced. Old roads have expanded
! and new ones have been built. Old
equipment has been replaced with
| modern rolling stock.
TN Japan the people are not salts
| with the cast-off apparatus of Ameri-
can roads. They want everything new.
| The last and most modern inventions
| are none too good. In the last six
| years 1900 miles of roads have been
constructed, and if the projected lines
are built, the next five years will see
the present railroad mileage Of the
| country more than doubled.
Industries Have Expanded.
"'The railroads constructed during
! the past fifteen years have had a
marked effect on Japan industries.
| Our road taps what is known as the
rice and cotton country. In sections
| which were almost devoid Of industries
| ten years ago, factories and shipping
| depots have been established. Towns
| have sprung up and land that was con-
| SlQereQ worthless IS now uIuef Guilt
| walton.
Railroads have been the making of
| Japan. They have done for it what
they have accomplished for America
and other. countries. The people recog-
nize their value as a civilizing power
and gladly welcome them.
Friendly TO Foreigners.
+ Japan feels more kindly to Western
| education than ever before in it's his
! tory. The American or European is
/ greeted with open arms. American
| ideas of education have been intro
| duced into our schools. Our young men
! are all anxious to learn English, for
they recognize it as the commercial
| language of the world"
Mr.. Yannaguehi will remain in ST
Paul for three days, looking over the
| large railroad shops. He will then go
to Seattle, from which place he will
| sail for home Aug. &c.