The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-09-18
No Change in the Conditions Of
Travel Save That Passports
Have Been Abolished.
NEW ART MUSEUMS OPENED.
Welcome Society, Under the Aus
pieces of Noblemen. Organized
to Make All Visitors
Feel ut Home.
From III. Anglo -J,panes. Gsz.,...

From the Ansio-Jepanese Gazette.
We have on two pTeVo-s occasions
called attention TO the absurd notions en-
te.tained in some quarters that the presen,
Is not desirable time to visit Japan.
Every mail still brings US string @.
inquiries from would-be tourists ANXIOUS
70 visit japan. hu; fearful lost they should
arrive only to find the whole Empire in a
state OF wild excitement and travelling ut-
terly dIsorGanized. For the benaf: n.
those Of our readers in this corn;ry Who
are falter.ng We give the following ex-
tracts from a letter issued by the various
chambers OF commerce in japan:
To those resident in Japan II seems in
accountable that because A war is was.nS
In the far Eas: tourists should have tur-ed
away from a country where they have
always found so much TO charm and O.
light them During the last few years
the stream OF travel had set steadily jap
an-ward in ever-increasing volume, and
simultaneously there had taken place a
marked development o: all the facilities
that make for the comfort OF tourists.
New lines OF railway have been opened
end other means of conveyance multiplied.
hotels established with special occommo-
dation for foreigners. regions presenting
new beauties are now accessible, steam
ship services increased. guides associa::ors
organized. and the irksome necessity OF
carrying passport has been abolished. 30
that absolute freedom OF travel and resi-
dence Is now enjoyable. excellent hand
books have been complied. museums
stocked with objects OF ancient art have
been opened. a welcome society under the
auspices Of noblemen and gentlemen has
placed Its invaluable assistance al the dis
posal of tourists
The art industries of Japan have made
rapid strides of progress. and. IN fact. IN
every direction the attractions Of the land
have been enhanced
No change In any of these conditions,
. no dislocation OF any of the facilities has
resulted from the outbreak OF the war.
interest which invite inspection in normal
years there has been added the remarka-
be Spectacle of an tnsular people pre-:
fmpertur bs bility while engaged in a strux-
gle fer life or death with ore Of the
great Continental military powers.
during tho period of suspense that pre-
coded il. the quiet. self-Dossessed attitude
Of the japanese people has been a theme
OF constant admiration and surprise to
foreign oniookers. In truth, Japan Is Just
as 1t has always been The japanese peo-
pie are not swayed by any frenzy Of re:
ambition. They are fighting for what
they believe 10 be the minimum OF their
just right. Tor the cause OF free inStifu-
tions. security against the spread Of mill
tary despotism. and a commercial. field
untrammeIed for all. and above all for a
lasting peace; causes which the japanese
people have fervently embraced and FOR
which they are ready to make any sacri-
fec.
Under such circumstances the war has
not impaired in the slightest degree the
friendly feeling entertained by the Jap
anese nation for the peories Of Europe and
America. On the contrary. IL has greatly
intensified that feeling. inasmuch as tho
crisis has ELECTED throughout nearly tine
whole Occident expressions Of sympathy
which Japan welcomes with profound
gratitude and satisfaction.
Her people feel that the purposes for
which she IL shedding blood and treasure
have the full Endorsement Of the en,ight-
cned nations OF the West Under such
circumstances. Japan Is prepared to extend
a heartier welcome than ever TO all Wis
itcrs TO her shores. and 1t pains her to
think that possibly some doubts IS to the
quality Of her welcome NAV have operated
10 diminish the tide OF tourists usually
setting toward her shores To the Jap
anese as a nation II will act as a perma-
nent source OF regret II their whole-hcart-
ed espousel OF the best ideas of Europe
and America has in any way created even
q temporary barrier between them and
her"