Evening star., 1903-12-26
ENGLAND AND JAPAN
LAND OF RISING SUN CALLED
CERTAIN OF THE ORIENT"
Striking Progress Made by the Little
Giants Of the East Must
Russia Fightp

An Anglicised Japan Is the dream OF Mr.
K Watanabe, a special commissioner from
the governor general Of Formosa, who sailed
for Capetown on Saturday In the Armadale
Castle. Since England became Japan's best
friend among the western powers, her peo-
pie have developed an extraordinary taste
for all things English. Mr. Watanabe has
been sent abroad to study British colonial
methods, that Japan may improve her ad-
ministration in Formosa, and also to report
upon the desirability of South Africa as a
field for Japanese labor.
Mr.. Watanabe is dapper little man. who
speaks perfect English, and is European
lied, as he expresses 1t, "in everything but
color" In addition to his duties as COM
missioner for Formosa, he has for years
been identified with the emigration move
ment in Tokyo, and has travelled through
North and South America investigating Of
fers for the employment of Japanese labor
My mission in South Africa Is twofold,
he said to an Express representative at the
Langham Hotel the other day. II want to
see how the new colonies are administered,
and to Investigate labor conditions. II the
British government is willing and Its re-
strfctions are not too severe, Japan is will
ing that the tide of emigration should turn
toward Capetown instead of Hawaii, Peru
Mexico and Canada.
There has been much interest In South
Africa since the question of oriental labor
was brought up. During the war Japanese
commissioners visited the Transvaal IN
order to investigate the labor situation, but
conditions were then too unsettled. Re-
Gently. however, reports reached the large
steamship companies in Japan that there
was an excellent opportunity for laborers
on the Rand.
Japs for South Africa.
"My countrymen would 60 to South
Africa In preference to Mexico, or even
Hawaii. because they. feel that Great Brit
ain would accord them preferential treat
ment-at least so far as Chinese labor was
concerned.
II am sure the superiority Of the Japa-
nese labOrer over the Chinaman would be
quickly apparent to any mine owner who
has employed the latter. All we ask Is
that the Japanese laborer shall have as
fair treatment as his white brother. We
are becoming more Europeanixed every day.
You cannot with Justice, put us on the
same level as the Chinese coolie, as people
are inclined to do who do not understand
the true japan. We are more adaptable.
'The Chinaman will retain his blouse and
his pigtail to the end Of time, and when all
things are finished, he will 60 home in tin
telligent and less adaptable. The trouble
is that the Japanese are misunderstood.
Travellers pass through the country very
quickly, and write their impressions They
anese nature Is a sealed book to them We
in Japan know far more about Eng
land and English customs than the English
know about Japan We can read your lit
erature and newspapers; our language and
literature are closed to you.
European Japanese.
cit is hard to describe the deep, Intense
pride the Japanese feel because of their al
lance with England. 1t has been said-and
A.
ern power should link herself with an orr
entail power. Why not? We are becoming
more European every day.
How am different from the EnglIshmen
/ meet in this hotel, save in colorf / dress
as they do talk as they do, think as they
do. 1 believe that Japan will soon be on the
same plane as England or any continental
power. We realize that progress will come
from the adoption of western methods and
ideas. English Is being taught in schools
throughout the empire. The Union Jack
Is to be seen in many towns. Yes; we are
very proud of England.
"The Japanese immigrant has been found
a success in many parts Of the world. Sew
enty thousand have been sent to Hawaii. to
work on sugar plantations AS an expert
ment, GOO went to Peru for the same pur-
pose, and that government asks for more.
There are 5000 Japanese in the Mexican
silver mines. and l have yet to receive a
single complaint that they are physically
inferior or less capable workmen than the
natives.
"Will there be war with Russiaf Posi-
bly,. Japan believes war IL inevitable, and
that there only remains the date for firing
the first gun. We are ready. We know to
a man and a gun Russia's strength In the
far east. Our foreign Office is fully advised
of the serious internal disturbances in Rus
sia. The cars government is not anxious
for war. But, on the other hand II they
will not recede from their Manchurian posi-
ton, we will not compromise.
Corea's Integrity.
Japan will never settle the matter on
the basis of taking Corea while Russia
takes Manchuria. We do not want Corea.
The integrity Of that country must be pre-
served So far as Manchuria is concerned,
we do not want 1t either. Japan will have
equal commercial rights with Great Britain,
the United States and the other powers.
But Russia must get out or fight, and
at the moment there is doubt as to which
course she will pursue. Japan is quite able
financially to carry on a war. The govern
ment is anxious for an honorable peace. yet
the people strongly hold that there can be
no peace with honor No, we shall not ex-
England fn 4 xy{1l he