Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-05-20
]. BULL FIRSTN JAPANTRADE
England, Says George F. Bidwell, Leads
United States in Commerce There.
ALL EUROPE AHEAD OF UNCLE SAM
Northwestern General Manager Says
Resources of the Little Island
Are Inadequate TO the EnOr-
nous Population.

In the opinion Of George z. Bidwel, gem
eral manager OF the Northwestern lines
west Of the Missouri river, who, with Mrs
Bidwell, has just returned from Japan
after tour OF the Flowery Kingdom, Eu-
ropean and especially English interests
have thus far greatly surpassed the United
states in commercial transactions with the
mikado's country
AS to the resources OF the country Mr..
Bidwell says they are entirely inadequate
to the large and ever heavily increasing
population OF that small island.
''I am glad 10 say that l agree with most
citizens of the United States who travel In
foreign countries in being glad that l am
an American, and to say most unreservedly
that / find nothing in any foreign country
and especially in japan, which I would be
willing 10 exchange for citizenship In the
United States, and that there is no place
1 find on earth where the sunshine is so
constant and so refreshing as the sunshine
in Nebraska" said Mr.. Bidwen
Japan is a mountainous country. Agri-
culture is very limited, requires a large
amount OF irrigation and is confined to the
valleys, which are not extensive between
the foot of the mountains and the sea.
would not want to be considered accurate
in my estimates, but in a general way 1
think I am safe in saying that the average
area Of farm in Japan is about one or
two acres The average income Of a farmer
in that country is from S12 TO $50 annually.
To the thinking American this forms the
foundation for opinion as to the condition
Of the people There is an enormous popu-
lation to be supported with very little
means at hand. But they do not know the
value OF money; their inbred Characters
tics make them a happy people, and they
are as happy a people as may be found on
the face of the EARTH even in their, what
we would call, impoverished condition.
There is inbred in them a patriotism to-
ward their emperor and a religious worship
Of their ancestors which leaves that por-
ton of the population equally happy with
the young in the knowledge that the Japa-
nese character will see to it that the old
are provided for by the young as they
grow up.
1.-THE people are law-abiding, and while
there is a large military and police force
all over the country, 1t is simply to meet
emergencies, which emergencies do not ex-
fist, and It is one peaceful and quiet time
everywhere.
American Customs Prevail.
'uTokio. the present seat of government,
IL peaullIui city VI AiSVVtVSV PoPAA0NAcii'
which is becoming Americanized very rap
idly by reason Of the liberal policy of the
present emperor toward the introduction
OF modern customs and methods, and the
entrance into the business world Of Eu-
ropeans and Americans.
1--WE were honored with invitations from
the emperor to attend the garden party
function, held during the height of the
cherry blossom period and with all Amer
leans and Europeans were greatly sur
prised to find that the emperor and en-
press had adopted the American costume
for their appearance in public at these and
all functions.
"The beauty of the relations existing be.
tween the present emperor and the rest OF
the world was displayed in this garden
party, when the emperor and empress, side
by side, in European costumes, with Their
cabinet, the great military and naval ON
GERS, with the diplomatic corps assigned tc
the court of Japan, walked through the
gardens, entirely unattended by military oil
other escort in a narrow path, along which
were lined up the $500 guests from all ma.
lions, each guest being permitted to stand
at az distance OF less than three feet as
they passed, and courteous smiles were
extended to all. It has only been very re-
Gently that the emperor and empress have
ever appeared in public together, and at 6
military review held in honor Of the vic.
tories Of the recent war with Russia. helC
on April 80, for the first time the emperor
and empress rode in the same carriage
The entire informality OF the garden party
was further evidenced by the fact tina
tables were laid in the gardens for all tn,
guests. and the most hospitable lunch wal
to oil ,F ALL
many kinds and abundance Of wines To-
those who desired them. the emperor anc
empress being seated at one of the tables
in a most informal way.
Osaka Leads in Manufacture.
I'm manufacturing, Osaka, which wa
one Of the former seats OF government
surpasses all other cities, as we observed
As commercial cities Yokohama and Toki
stand about on an even basis, and are tn
two cities becoming Europeanized an,
Americanized more rapidly than any others
regret to say that my observation is tina
Europe. and especially England. has en-
tirely outstripped the United States in tn
commercial transactions in the Japanes
empire. Kobe is the largest port of entr
and does the largest export and impor
business OF any city in the empire, and is
city OF commerce, and as distinguish
from Yokohama and Toxic, the latter Nigh
be called the centers of trade
THE religion OF Japan is in evidenc
everywhere, in the multitudinous temple
and shrines which are located in every cit
and hamlet, in such numbers that no Japs
nese need so any consoles abie distance,
find place TO pay his devOyions to "a
deity. There is no priesthood, and each IN
dvidual conducts his owa service In n
own way and in his own place. so It II
shrine, to which he contributes acccrdin
to his means from any amount OF none
which may be within his means to a mel
handful OF rice, the value OF the contribl
ton being evidenced only by the devotiu
with which it is given. and his prayer