The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-22
nogoro Takahira, Japanese Minister,
Talks of the Far Eastern Situation

ana resources. NNSSld
and Her d esigns Ex-
planned by the Minister.
Japan Not Overcrowded
and Not Fighting for
Territory II II II II IL
your State of Ohio. Its population, as
shown by the census of 1900, was 1850. oOO"
That is more than half as many people
as we have in the United States said L.
lis not Japan overcrowded, and is this war
not after ali a fight for territory"
ION Japans part most certainly not, re-
piled Minister Takahira. I'VE have dis
tinctly declared that we not contending
for territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and even IL
we had not made that solemn pledge there
is no necessity for us to acquire territory
for our surplus population. for we have
abundant outlets for that as IL is.
Japan is and is not overcrowded con-
tinued Mr.. Takahira. Il mean by that that
We have available territory of our own TO
meet the demands of our increasing popu-
lation, although the emigration of the
japanese is not as yet directed TO those
parts of the empire. Take Yeso and For
moSa, for example. The japanese govern
ment has systematically endeavored to de-
velop the resources of those countries. 1t
has met with fair success, but the climate
In both territories has been an obstacle to
their rapid development, and that especial
ly in FormoSa, where the most desirable
parts of the island are unhealthy The
government is improving sanitary condi-
tiOns there and in time FoTmosa will be a
desirable place of residence for both Jap
aneSe and foreigners. The same may be
said of Yeso, which has undeveloped re-
sources and which will support a large
let for a certain part of our surplus
on the Asiatic continent. Many Jap
anese will settle in Korea and in other
adjacent regions on the same terms as
the citizens and subjects of other nations,
and such settlements will be to the adj
vantage of the countries, inasmuch as
our people naturally peaceful and in
dustrious, making excellent citizens wher
ever they co.
FORMOSA IN 1904
You speak of Formosa, Mr.. Takahira."
said l. What is the condition of that.
colony to-day"
''Formosa is rapidly improving" replied
Minister Takahria. Since it became a
part of the japanese empire its revenue
has been increased by 600 per cent. 1t
has been charged that our government
has done nothing for the Development of
the island nor for the betterment of its
people since ii became A part of the en-
pire This is not true. In connection with
ii l. cannot do better than quote what the
Rev. w. Campbell, Scotch missionary,
who has lived in Formosa many years,
says. He writes that in considering For
mOsa it must be remembered that when
the japanese took possession of it in 1895
they found the people everywhere in arms
against them, and that they had to fight
their way from north to south before they
could establish a settled government. AS
soon as this was done they sent out sur
veyors and scientists to report on the re-
sources of the newly ceded territory. A
complete census of the population was
taken in 1897 and at this time 500 miles OF
roads were made and a tramway line con-
structed from Takow TO Sin-Tek This was
followed by the building of a railway from
Kelung TO Takow. about half of which is
now now open for goods and passenger traffic
Three cables were laid down connecting
Formosa with Japan, China and the Pes
cadore Islands, and a telegraph and tele-
phone system so improved that immediate
communication is now possible with every
important inland center There are now
one hundred post offices in Formosa and
at the close of 1899 one hundred and TWEEN
ty-two government educational institutions
had been established, of which one hundred
and thirteen for natives. There are ter
government hospitals on the island, where
10000 patients are annually treated with
out charge; and at the same time free vac
citations and other sanitary precautions
have become so general that the dangers
of smallpox and the plague have beer
much reduced.
JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES.
ne CONVERSATION mere turned 10 the re-
lations between Japan and the United
States. and 1 asked his Excellency as tc
how his nation regarded us. He replied:
1T is not saying too much to declare
that no nation holds a higher place in the
Japanese estimation than the United
States. This is not alone because it wa:
the United States that opened Japan to in
tercourse with the Western world. but also
because during the whole of that period
which may be termed the transition period
in JapanS national life. the United States
has consistently and disinterestedly beer
the nelpful friend or our empire. As yoI
know, one of the most important events il
japanese history since the time of the res
toration was the conclusion of treate:
whereby Japan gained a fOOthOld of per
feet equality with all other nations Thi.
marked an epoch in the history of interna
/, tional relations between the East anC
| West. and no nation did more in assist
ing Japan TO bring it about than TIT
| United States"
You have been singularly fortunate.
continued the minister, lin your represent
| atives 10 my country, and as | call then
| TO mind names stand forth which / an
| sure will always have n foremost place
/ in the history Of japan. Commodore Perry
| Townsend Harris. John A Bingham an,
| others l might mention are names L
conjure with in my country. because the,
! represent in its fullest sense that consid
| crate and helpful kindness that has al
| Ways been shown in the conduct of tn
| United States for Japan. l feel certain
| that as American enterprise extend
| farther and farther across the Pacific &
/ those countries which now offer the hes
| fields for its energies. the industrial. com
mercial and financial interests of the tw,
| nations will be woven more and NOR
| closely together. That this result may no
| be long delayed is. | can assure you, tn
! ardent wish of the great mass OF m,
| countrymen."
FRANK G. CARPENTER.
| Copyright, 1901