The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-18

+ BuddnlSm COnIraSted.
BY WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN
Copyright, 1906. by Joseph B. Bow1es-Copyright
In Great Britain-All Rights Reserved.
W ACK of Japan S astonishing prog
ress along material lines lies
her amazing educational devel-
opment. Fifty years ago but few of,
her people could read or write, now
considerably less than. 10 per cent
would be classed as illiterate. It is
difficult to conceive Of such a trans
formation taking place almost within
a generation. The prompt adoption of
western methods and the rapid assiniI
alton of western ideas gives indubitable
proof of the pre-existence Of vital ma
tional germ. A pebble dropped into soil,
however rich, and cultivated no mat
ter how carefully, gives back no re-
spouse to the rays Of the springtime
sun. Only the seed which has life
within can be awakened and developed
by light and warmth and care. Japan
had within her the vital spark and
when the winter of her isolation was
passed, her latent energies burst forth
into strong and sturdy growth.
Her sons, ambitious to know the
world, scattered themselves turnout
Europe and America, and having laden
themselves with new ideas, returned
like bees to the hive. In this way
Japan constantly gained from every
quarter and her educational system is
modelled after the best that the ages
have produced. She has her primary
schools for boys and girls, attendance
being compulsory, and below these in
many places there are kindergarten
schools. The middle schools in which
the boys and girls are separated, take
up the course of instruction where the
primary schools leave off.
Then follow the universities, of
which there are seven under the con-
troll of the government. Besides these
there are in the cities institutions
Known as higher commercial schools,
which combine general instruction with
such special studies as are taught in
our commercial colleges. There are
also number of normal schools for
the training of teachers. In addition
to the schools and colleges established
and conducted by the government,
-tharA-are n-r,.n, bar fo1,ndad- indi.
viduals and societies, The largest Of
these is Waseda college, founded and
still maintained by Count Okuma, the
leader Of the progressive party. It is
adjoining the home Of the count and is
built upon land which he donated. DR.
Hatoyama, at one time speaker Of the
national house Of representatives, who
holds a degree from Yale college, is the
official head of this institution; in al
of its departments it has some 5000
students.
: I have already referred in a forme.
article to the Keio Gijuku, the college
founded by Mr.. Fukuzawa. The at
tendance here is not SO large as a
Waseda, but the institution has had al
fllustrious career and exerts a wide in
fuence upon the country. I visitet
both of these colleges and never ,ad
dressed more attentive or RESPONSIVE,
audiences. AS English is taught in al
3 the middle schools, colleges and uni
versities, the students are able to fol
low speech in that language withou
an interpreter.
The State university at Toxic IN
cludes six departments, law, medicin,
and engineering courses being pro
vided, az well as courses In literature
. science and agriculture. The tota
number Of students enrolled at this uni
versity is about $500. The Nationa
university at Kioto has three facul
ties-law, medicine and. science-th
last-named including engineering; tn
attendance at this university is be
tween 600 and 700. In the states O
Choshu and Satsuma there are highe
schools supported by funds given o,
former feudal lords Of those states.
!. j. j.
The education Of girls is not neglect
ed, altho as rule the girls do not e
as far in their studies as the boys
= There are number Of normal school
and seventy nine high schools for girls
besides tho Peeresses school and sew
eral private institutions. The woman
university of Toxic, situated nea
q Waseda college and under the patron
age of Count Okuma, has had phe
nomenal career. Established only fv
years ago it has now an enrolment o
come 700, and is putting up severa
rev buildings. -.
@ There are also q number Of mission
airy schools and colleges. The Presby
terians support three boarding school
for boys and eleven for girls, beside
ten day schools; the total attendanc
!, at these schools is nearly $500. I
The Congregationalists have nun
Der of schools, the largest, Doshish
college at Kioto, being the largest an
most influential Christian institution
in Japan. I had the pleasure of visit
ing both this college and Kioto uni
versity.
The Methodists have eighteen boarc
ing schools and nineteen day schools
with total attendance of nearly 5000
Their college at Kobe is a very prom
Using institution.
The Baptists have a theological SEN
mary, an academy, five boardin
schools for girls and eight day school,
with total attendance Of nearly Loo
The Episcopal church has also take
an important part in educational worl
while the Catholics (who were on tn
ground frst) have over sixty sem
naries, schools and orphanages, with a
attendance of some 5000.
!. !.
The Japanese government support
more than $4,000 primary schools, al
tended by more than 100000 boys an
girls; it supports more than $50 middl
3 schools, with an attendance of nearl
100000. While less than per cent Q