New-York tribune., 1902-05-20
MODERN JAPAN.
THE FACTS STATED BY A HARD HEADED
OBSERVER.

JAPAN TO-DAY. BY Alfred Stead. with ? Prefa9e n5fe
by Marquis ITO. l2mo. PIP. TX, 20o T. + LUZ
ton & Co.
There is very little of the artistic glamour
that surrounds Japan in the eyes OF many bu-
ropeans 10 be found in Mr. Stead's little treause.
He is a hard headed young man with taste
for facts; and III went to study the new un-
folding Of Japan one of tie great nauohs OF
the world There is plenty to occupy the serious
attention OF Europeans ana Americans in TINS
aspect of Japanese development, and Mr. Stead
gives an explicit and candid account Of the
present state of the country from an extremely
practical point Of view. AS Marquis ITO says
in the brief preface to the book
1t has always been my opinion not only that
orr country can proudly bear the light OF the
truth but also that the full comprehensi'h oi
orr national history and its characteristics ana
resources cannot bat enhance the respect due
70 her as one Of the most civilized nations OF
the twentieth century
Mr.. Stead has given perhaps one Of the best
as fl is the most recent, statements as to these
matters
A notable feature of japanese national life is
the ability of the nation TO carry on its
affairs without the help of Occdentals. The
general idea that japan needs such help is er-
roneous. as Mr.. SJeads chapters clearly show
The japanese have learned all that foreigners
could teach them. and have let them go The
rapid development Of the country has been
brought about almost entirely by japanese capl-
tai: and the policy of reducing imports Wlthln
the last few years has been crowned with sue
cess. Japan has discovered her strength in COM
mercial and industrial matters. and intends TO
utilize all her advantages in securing the trade
Of the Pacific. Japan is steadily giving up agri-
culture to increase her manufactures Stead
compares her with England in this respect-but
It will be a long time. apparently. before she
ceases TO be chiefly agricultural country
An this has naturally brought about labor
problem" The population is dense, the rate of
increase large: and the cost of living as result
of the economic changes that have been going
on, greatly enhanced. Japan's trouble. accord
ing TO Mr.. Stead, is TOO much labor. II is
true, he points out. that the great majority of
the laborers are unskilled; but the japanese
nature is such as fits them rapidly to become
partly skilled. Police regulations forbid them TO
meet together 10 agitate for an increase Of
wages which are exceedingly small. or a
dirninution Of hours The idea of labor unions.
in the Western sense. is little understood: but
there are guilds Of long standing among Ger
tain trades. which exercise a power at least
in guarding against an oversupply Of labor,
quite as great as any union in Europe or Amer
ica.
In the midst Of all this essentially modern de-
NetOpnent. Ii ntl a IlltP curious u ISdu MI
Stead's account of the popular veneration for
the royal family 1t seems to be quite as great
as at any time before the Western ideas
changed the face of the country The Emperors
word has more effect than any law, and he is
far above the constitution. The announcement
of his desire is sufficient to change The oppo-
sition to a bill in the House IF Peers to unani-
nous support. To the general mass Of the peo-
pie he takes the place of the Deity. and is
reverenced accordingly Only last year. as Mr..
Stead informs us, Toxic newspaper advo-
Gated the assassination of the Marquis Ito be-
cause he had dared to defle the imperial pres
ence by appearing in the same clothes in which
he had just attended Mr.. Hoshi's funeral. This
feeling is incucated in the schools and Mr..
Stead reports. Ion very good authority that
only three or four people in the whole country
can meet the Emperor without a tremor in
their voice when they speak to him. 1t is
fortunate that the object of such reverence is
wise enough to exercise his influence to benef-
cent ends, as is undoubtedly true of the present
Emperor.
Education i'm Japan is sedulously promoted;
European systems have everywhere supplanted
the japanese. and s. per Of the children
attend school. There great difficulties in
the way Of education presented by the difference
between the written and the spoken language
and the great amount of study required by this
fact; and. at least in the university courses. by
the use Of English, French and German by the
different professors. 1t is pointed out. however
that this foreign element. like the corresponding
in the business and industrial worlds. is
being steadily eliminated. There is no religious
teaching in any Of the japanese schools. but
the moral precepts formulated in "Bushido' are
the foundation for all mental training and de-
veIopment-a sort OF infinite TRUTH crystal
nzation Of the moral precepts that all religions
inculcate. II is the soul. productive of and
animating all the forms and expressions of Jap
anese religion q" To its teaching is attributed
the tolerance extended TO the first Christian
missionaries in Japan; for ii was felt that the
early Christian teaching not a hostile ele-
ment Mr.. Stead considers the present success
of missionary teaching TO be chiefly among the
lower classes, 'in that il has more mystery
connected with il, and more of the element Of
fear"
Japan, in Mr.. Stead's view, is destined to be-
is already. the paramount power Of the Far
East. The Far East is the natural sphere for
Japan's prowess. within which il is difficult for
any Of the other powers TO stand in her way"
Her geographical position her natural re-
sources, her understanding of the Chinese her
present and future industrial capacities all
unite in her favor 1t is the part of America
end Great Britain. says Mr.. Stead to recognize
this fact, and TO be in friendly agreement with
her