Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-12-18
DISHONESTY OF JAPS.
DR.. EDWORDS TELLS OF NATIONAL
TRAIT OF JAPANESE.
Another Interesting Letter About Peculiar
Customs. Climate and Conditions in the
Flowery Kingdom.


been much impressed by the fact that
even the Japanese seem to recognize
their own dishonesty as a national
trait Every position of trust, in
commercial and banking houses, even
those owned by japanese themselves.
is filled by Chinese. The Chinese
here have all appearance of belonging
to superior race. They are tall,
we'll dressed, and have wonderful
gravity that never deserts them.
With long, black, tightly braided
queue reaching to the knees, rich
over-dress of brocade, and cap, trous-
ers and shoes of satin, his whole APP
pearance indicates prosperity. Chinese
traders, bankers and business men
have achieved reputation for honesty
that no Japanese enjoys. even among
his fellows. The Japanese are tricky
and can never be depended upon.
His word is not good and even his
bond is often broken with no recourse
left for his victim. The Chinese al
ways keeps his word. and it is as
good as the best bond. What he tells
you can be depended upon, and no
commercial transaction of his ever
brings trouble. His is the ruling
power in the japanese financial and
commercial circles.
The heat and humidity of this place
brings torrent to Americans until they
become accustomed to it. There is
something lacking in the atmC sphere
and Americans cannot reside here
many years without suffering in
health. / have enjoyed walking about
the streets, much to the disgust of the
'rickshaw men, who persist in follow
ing me about so closely that at times
/ have been compelled to call upon
the police to protect me from their
opportunities. In order to protect
myself / finally hired a 'rickshaw
man to follow me about. He had
been recommended to me on account
of his knowledge of the English Ian
guage. | started conversation with
him by asking:; do you speak Eng
Iish?'' EYES," was his ready answer.
"Who taught your" "Yes," and
again he was ready with the answer
which seemed to be his entire stock of
English words. Thereafter we got
along with signs.
A short distance from my hotel is
a native street that is given over to
all sorts of shows and exhibitions.
Acrobats, athletes, jugglers, living
statutes, deformed animals and birds,
trained monkeys, and shooting gall
leries where one may practice with the
bow and arrow. are few of the many
attractions. Religious festivals in
honor of some departed heroes are
frequently held there, and / CHANGED
upon one of these which afforded a
most curious sight. The narrow
street was gaily decorated with ban
ners and lanterns of gorgeous hues,
and was thronged with pleasure seek
ers to all ages. A wonderfully built
religious car was the center of attrac-
ton, it towering high above the two
story houses which line the street. In
it was an effigy of the hero and band
of musicians sending forth fearful
sounds. that l had to stop my ears
The people seemed to think it was
fine, and they drew the car along with
ropes, laughing and shouting like so
manv happy children
Japanese music is something for one
to dream about after eating an indi-
gestible supper. have discovered.
however, that to Japanese ears CIV
ilized music is equally discordant
and funny. An opera company was
brought from the United States by an
enterprising manager who thought he
would reap harvest OF money. The
first night the opera house was crowd
ed. For while the people listened
quietly and then they broke into roar
of laughter which they kept up until
the performer were compelled to stop.
One night was sufficient, and the
manager of the company went broke.
while the Japanese, to this day, tell
of the overwhelmingly funny noises the
foreign singers made. 1t all goes to
show that we cannot Judge everything
from our own standpoint. OF all the
ear-splitting sounds have been
forced to listen to there is nothing
that can equal for demoniac distur-
bance the music that most appeals to
the taste of Japanese and Chinese.
Yet these people will sit for hours aud
listen to it, 1t is possible that innov-
ations of civilization, such as phono-
graphs may bring about change in
their musical taste.
Clarence Il. Edwords.
Sidewalks must be cleaned at once
otn xU