New-York tribune., 1902-03-14
NEW ENGLISH BOOKS
A TIMELY WORK on JAPAN-How TO
BUILD Up A MERCHANT FLEET-Mh
HowELLs HISTORY OF LABOR.
London. February 26.

The japanese alliance has given Timely
hllip TO three books which had been arranged
for the spring trade Two Of these, Mr- kldo
-Forincirl-z Of Western Civilization" Olacmillan)
and Nj Coquhoun's Mastery Of the Paclnc
O5einenann). have already been referred to IN
nv corresDondence The third. Japan Our
New Ally Fisher Unwin). by Mr.. Alfred STEAD
IS not published in the United states ana Is
not likely 70 be reviewed there Naturally, the
title mas been changed ar the last moment from
Japan To-day in order to fit in with the
new British policy in the Far East Marquis
Ito. the greatest statesman Of japan, has sup
piled an introduction for il, in which he refers
10 the authors impartial judgment and remarka-
bic intelligence in making an assiduous study
Of the subject on the ground, and also welcomes
an attempt 10 represent the country in its true
light to European readers. This preface I'M
parts authority to a comprehensive manual upon
the characteristics resources and institutions
Of the first Oriental nation TO be admitted into
the circles of European alliances as one OF the
civilized powers Of the twentieth century. Mr..
Stead not only knows his subject. but also has
the advantage of the friendship of the leading
men Of Janan: and while he has had unrivalled
facilities Tor studying commercial, labor and
industrial questions and the details of the mill
tary and naval services. the merchant marine
and the financial system, he has maintained an
independent judgment in discussing the in
fuence q the royal family diplomatsts and
Statesmen and the trend OF public thought in
the nation. The book is a storehouse Of well
digee:ed information. and the arrangement Of
topics is orderly and logical In this respect
Mr. Etead's work differs from many larger and
more ambitious books about Japan. II is a sys-
teratic attempt TO deal with the country as a
modern and civilized power in touch with the
progressive tendencies of Europe and America.
The author protests at the outset against the
assumption that civilization began with the
Intervention Of Commodore Perry, in 1853 He
contends that the real japanese civilization be-
gan fifteen hundred years ago, when Buddhism
came from India and was Influenced by insular
religion and when Chinese literature became
1inged wiki national thought and character
sstics: and the era Of Japanese art was the four
teenth century. when Europe passing
through the Dark Ages. The foundations Of
modern progressive civilization were already in
Japan when Commodore Perry's visit the
signal for the opening Of the new era. What
A. lacked was systematizing and this has been
rapidly done since the restoration of the Mikado
10 the stronghold of power The same intense
patriotism which inspired resistance to invasion
has led this wonderful people. when the for
egner inevitable, to find out all that was
best in the adjustment Of things, and to
adapt Western civilization to their own needs.
Perry on the spot where he landed July IA,
1853 at a forbidden place, TO enter into negotia-
fions for a treaty with the United States,
marked at once the anniversary Of the bloody
storrning Of the Bastie and the boodless storm
ing Of japan. 1t was the point OF departure
from old methods of exclusion TO the policy
OF adopting all that Western civilization had
20 offer for the betterment of the country, and
of avoiding the absorption Of the foreigner him
o,,i5a rr-,ay,
OF warlike men was thrown out of employment
by the abolition Of the feudal system; powerful
navy and a merchant marine created;
banks were founded railways and bridges were
constructed and teegraphs were introduced: and
all these undertakings and enterprises were
paid for with japanese money. The indemnity
after the Chinese war induced luxurious habits.
snd the government, in order to counteract the
effect has revived former economies and cut
down the imports. In commercial matters ia
pan has discovered her strength. and is striving
20 reach a position in the East corresponding
10 that occupied by England in the West. The
country has been modernized and improved
without being left dependent upon foreigners.
with the exception Of single small loan, con-
tracted for in London. there has been prac-
ticaliy no outside capital introduced. The neces-
sity for foreign supervision of improved ma
rhinery in factory and mine has been dispensed
with, and all modern inventions are hanoIed
as If they We're japanese plant. The country
has been opened to Western civilization, but
helf-help is the first law of the japanese people.
This fundamental principle that the foreign
masters must be dismissed a. soon as the les
son is learned. and that every progressive
undertaking must be carried on by the Japanese
themselves is illustrated in a series of chapters
dealing with education, labor manufacturing.
patents, merchant service. national finance, the
police system. foreign capital, military and
naval ornaments. religion and charities. l
select the chapter on the merchant marine be-
cause the object lesson for American readers
IS exceedingly direct and practical In early
times japanese junks visited ard ravaged the
coasts Of Corea and China much in the way
the Vikings harassed the English seaboard
After the closing of the country the construc-
lion Of vessels capable Of crossing the seas was
prohibited Even after the coming of Commo-
dore Perry and the restoration of the Mikado
the shipping did not show any growth until
1917, and it was until 1884 that navigation
included voyages beyond those along the coasts
of Japan. In 1877 there were only 25S vessels
of European pattern with a tonnage Of So, 753.
In 1898 there were BOA vessels with a tonnage
of 455. .492, and in 1900 the tonnage had risen
10 601 S44 The amazing progress of the mer-
chant marine after the with China was due
10 navigation and shipbudng subsidy laws
with the institution of steam service under the
japanese flag with Europe. America and Aus
trslia. At the outset the steamers were built
in England. but home shpbuilding encour-
aged by doubling the subsidies, and vessels of
six thousand tons be constructed in
Nagasaki The Japan Mail Steamship Company
has feet Of sxty-seven vessels. with a ton