The newspaper., 1906-06-01
Twentieth Century Japan.
BY MRS. c. Il. RAwALT.

u
hesitancy that | attempted to write
ANYTHING. Not having the gift OF di-
vination, | shall content myself with
stating few OF the more prominent
reforms Japan has inaugrated dur
ing the latter part OF the ninteenth
century, and leave it to my intelli-
gent hearers to cOnjure IN their
several minds glowing picture OF
what Japan may be at the close OF
the twentieth century, measured oy
her progress for the last fifty years.
Modern Japan dates from 1868,
which is called the restoration, for
at this time the Emperor promised
the people a constitution; promise
that was not fulfilled, however, TILL
1889. From that time the country
has grown more and more demo-
cratic in it's tendencies, with each
passing year, until at the present
time, the sentiment is fast crystaliz-
ing that the Emperor take for his
premier the leader of the popular
party, as is done in England. Cir
cumstances may delay this step for
some time but it is bound to come il
Japan is to recognize the right OF
the people to self government, and
this she must do If she hopes to be-
come a progressive nation, for a
nation of slaves never advances.
In Industrial problems Japan has
much to remedy. Child labor, which
is universal among the poorer classes,
is one of the crying evils; also the
length OF the working day, which is
twelve hours. There is, however,
strong movement on foot at present,
that promises to bring about
change at the next session of the
diet.
In some reforms Japan is even in
advance of the United States. Wher-
ever her cities have water works
systems they are owned and Oper-
ated by the municipalities. Her tel
egraph and telephone systems are
owned and operated by the govern
ment, and kilograms are sent at the
same price, to all parts OF the En-
pire. Also the government owns
and operates a part OF the railroad
systems, and travellers state that
there is no difference between the
privately owned and governmentally
owned roads, as far as efficiency is
concerned.
Along the lines of commerce, Japan
is rapidly making "A place for herself
in the trade of the world. Her eX-
ports, amounting to $SO,0OO.O0O in
1891, have increased to $500, 900 900 in
1904 and for the same period her i'm
ports have increased from S63,OOO,OOO
to $371 100000 In the ocean carry
ing trade she is making rapid strides:
in ten years her registered steamers
have increased from 46l to 1924
and her sailing vessels from 1856 to
1888 She now has 200 private ship
yards and in 1903 they built 279 yes
sells. -'-:..'
Not alone along material lines has
Japan made astonishing progress:
back of that lies her amazing educa
tional development. Fifty years
ago few of her people could read and
write. Now less than 10 per cent
can be called illiterate. Where can
be found a people with like record?
The life, the intellect. the ambition
was there and all that was needed
was the awakening from her long
oriental sleep OF seclusion, which
was soon brought about by the in
PRODUCTION of progressive western
ideas through her intercourse with
other nations after her ports had
been opened to the trade OF the
world.
Her sons and daughters are now
seeking a higher education in foreign
lands and returning home, are inn
parting their knowledge to their less
favored brothers and sisters.
Japan has primary schools for
girls and boys, attendance at which
il compulsory, and in many places
kindergartens for the very young.
There are seven universities under
the direct control of the government,
commercial schools for training
along special lines, normal schools