The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-04

ASo' ~ SPAhiOu1iy ~ hH. ~ 10 pSnoCty
admirable to see them working with a
smile under such hard conditions. It is
true that they did not know any material
pleasure since boyhood and are quite
well accustomed TO a hard life.
In that they may be rather fortunate.
japan lie speedily being converted to ma
terialism. Yet these gentlemen stand firm
and erect in the modern infamous at
r~osphere, and g~loriously show their own
confidence and faith in their work, and
their self-denial, materially inc spiritually.
Is something wonderful.
There are a few who rave bravely swum
through such hardship and trial, and to-day
have gained the recognition and respect
Of the people. There is Mr.. Ssmuro Shi-
mazda. who is still the editorial writer Of
the Moinichi ShinbNn. while he is at the
same time a great ornament Of the Japanese
Parliament, and here is Mr.. Yukio ozaki,
now Mayor Of Toxic, INC the Minister Of
Education. who knows every bitterness Of
a newspaper man.
Mr.. Yujiro Miyake occupies the editorial
chair Of the Nippon. whose vigor and inn
Partially are praised through the country.
lichiro Tokutomi, however, lost the public
respect when his paper. the kokumin.
WdS III kCu Oy Lne dOVSTuIuSnI duQ
became its organ paper. ,a4
TIL paper was enlarged a d the building
improved when the financial side was as
sured. II became a centre Of the public
anger and the mobs attacked the Office
on September S, 1905, when the anti-peace
meeting was resisted by the police and the
wild demonstration of the people spread
around like a mountain fire.
I'll. 0l- &c. = -
than any other paper. / am told that it
once paid 800 yen a month for it's editorial
writer. That is quite big money il you
know thato My some 500 yen is them monthly
payment for a Cabinet Minister.
Some papers have seventy or eighty
men in the editorial Office and some cannot
affo"d more than fifteen. 1t would be the
most extraordinary thing II you we're paid
for your contribution. 1t seems to be a
japanese custom not to pay a cent for the
men outside.
Since ] returned home in the autumn Of
1904 / frequently contributed articles and
they were printed promptly. After some
months one of the publishers dropped into
my place and left a Japanese fan with greet
ing. Yes, that was all.
And to complain about it is perfectly out
Of the question in Japan. Even to-day
you must avoid talking on money. You
will be placed in danger Of running your
name and dignity. To make a name in
Japan is a sure drawback, if nothing else.
The Japanese journalists hardly know
their business. There is nothing like an
American interview in our paper. What
cl~everness and action in the American
interview!
The American journalists do not present
you only the dry bones Of fact, but also
the flesh, and they make a living picture,
and make il laugh and grow angry. Where
is the japanese reporter who gees into the
depth Of things n detects every secret,
in short, takes his own work. seriously
Our reporters only hasten to the police
| courts or the Foreign Office, and patiently
wait for news to come, and never attempt
to gather it themselves. There are more
than a few gentlemen who are highly hon.
ored and make public opinion by their gen,
but generally speaking the Japanese W
paper men are little respected. The public
do not look upon their work as a legitimate
profession and think that they are a sad
show Of human beings and wish in their
heart that they would prefer some better
work.
The fault Of it lies partly with the news
PAPER men, who have not strength and
faith TO advance their own condition. The
stories Of Horace Greeley or the late John
Hay would surely be a revelation to them.
How Blowitz Of the London Times moved
European politics!
1t may be impossible to raise up our news
paper men to the same high position as
their fellow workers in America or Europe.
but at least We must give them a better
chance and good tres tment. The Osaka
Mainichi is perfectly right in paying it's
editors enough to keep themselves like
gentlemen. Only a rich paper could do il.
There is a little waiting room which is
attached to the Government Office, a room
usually dark and freless even in winter.
There the newspaper men congregate and
smoke and chat. Their effort to be COM
Portable is pathetic.
Some Of them nave no pride at all. They
are used to such treatment. IL is a very
rare thing for them to be allowed the
presence Of a Secretary or Minister. II
Japanese Government is a monarchy, you
know.
However. thev are better welcomed in
some other places, as for instance among
the politicians or in religious circles.
Il we're foolish Il deny the influence OF
journalism even in Japan. Who started
the Russia-Japan war? The war was
originally started by the Japanese paper.
1t made the public opinion.
Even in japan you will hear some one
say that he would prefer a chief editors
chair TO that OF a Prime Minister. II is
surely an achievement to become an edi-
torial writer for one Of the large Toxic
papers.
After the China-Japan war every news
paper was obliged to keep or two sta
t%ionary correspondents in CVrca and China.
And with the Russia-Japan war he ex-
pense increased tremendously. But that
is Only child's play If you compare it with
American enter rise in such a matter.
And yet the publishers are complaining
that the money u ey invested will never
return. After evei vt ling is told, to be a
publisher is not a very encouraging BUSH
ness. at present. 1t is a life Of hardship and
sacrifice