Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-03-26
ouncil OF Elder Statesmen, the big Four" Of Japan

the other members Of the genro, he took
part in the revolution OF 1868 that
overthrow the Shotgun and placed the
present emperor securely on the throne.
He was nj various times finance min
lister, holding the Office in all about
fourteen years. and twice was premier.
Perhaps Matsukata's most note
worthy accomplishment was in 1877, at
the time of the disastrous Satsuma re-
bellIon. He found the country flooded
with a vast amount OF inconvertIble
paper currency which he redeemed
and brought to par, an accomplish
ment that the japanese believe rAade
their phenomenal Industrial and eco
monte development possible. Among
his other achievements are the land tax
reform, the organization and Central-
izatlon OF the fiscal administration, the
establishment OF a modern banking
system and the founding Of an indus
trial bank He also managed the mone-
tary affairs Of the empire through the
Chlno-Japanese war, floated a $4,000
900 loan In London and brought the
currency again TO stable basis at the
end OF the conflict, He had the bold
ness to try all financial systems and Sc
lect what seemed most practical. He
is the author Of a fiscal paper that has
become an authority in western ma
tons. Moreover, he told the people Of
Japan bluntly that they were not suff-
ciently provident and quoted the sta
tistIcs OF individual savings I'm foreign
nations TO prove his statement. lie Is
a man Of great moral courage aud firm
ness.
Marquis Yortomo Yamagata, like Ito
and lnouye, comes from Choshiu. He
| is about sixty-siX years of age, is
known as "the little gray man" and Ia
the military hero Of Japan. As mere
| stripping of twenty NE defeated 10000
| men with 1000 when shogunate army
sought to invade his province. He was
F. second In command In the revolution
| that overthrow the shotgun m 1868, the
event that marked the beginning Of the
| new regime I'm the Flowery Kingdom
| He preceded even Ito as premier an Of
flee which he has held frequently since.
He has also been minister of war In va
rlolis cabinets and has had more TO do
perhaps than any other man with the
evolution OF the Japanese army. An
event that shows his devotion 10 his
country has a touch of the pathetic.
1t relates to the plan of Duke Yamaga-
Ia his brother, to invade Korea, 10
which reference has already been made.
This the marquis did not hesitate to
oppose, though It meant his brothers
downfall and imprisonment
| Another important SERVED rendered
his country was during the Satsuma re-
bellion Of 1877, led by his old friend,
Saigo. Yamagata was one Of the chief
commanders on the side Of the govern
ment and finally brought the rebellion
TO close by personal appeal TO Saigo
The event that made Yoritomo Yanla-
gaia the popular idol of Japan, hoN-
ever, was his brilliant victory over the
Chinese at the memorable battle oil
Plngyang during the Chino Japanese
war. After the close of the war he re-
tired from active service In the army
but retained his title OF field marshal.
Yamagata was "A great admirer o
General Grant, whom he assisted II
entertaining when the American chief
tain visited Japan on his way aroun'
the world. Years later when the Jal
warrior passed through New York Of
I his way as special ambassador to tn
. coronation Of the ear the first poin
3 he expressed a desire TO visit wa
1 Grants tomb in Riverside park, ThI
. was his third visit to the United states
} for which country he has always e1
pressed the warmest affection.
These are the big four who NOR
than any other men, living or dead
. have contributed to the making of mod
| ern Japan, 1t is peculiarly fitting tina
. they should be set aside in body o
advisers to the emperor whom the!
Q placed upon the throne and whom the.
have served so long aud so faithfully
Q j, A. EDGERToN.