The Washington herald., 1908-02-11
AT THE HOTELS.

does not bother much with business any
more. and is merely visiting Washington
because he likes the city" lie is
much-traveled man. and there are few
countries which he has not seen. lie is,
also a close student Of human nature and
observer Of business customs and pro-
clvites.
Speaking OF the Presidential outlook,
Mr. Julien said yesterday that Hughes
would be elected President of the United
States, Notwithstanding Tafts claims,
whom he did not regard as serious. The
business men have confidence in Hughes
because he has his own mind and is not
politician exclusively He is growing
stronger every day" continued Mr.. Ju-
Hen, and I wouldn't be surprised if he
should receive the nomination"
OF his experiences and observations IN
Japan, Mr.. Julien said his knowledge Of
the character Of the japanese people led
him % think they did not desire war
with the United States. Looking at &
from a commercial or mercenary stand
point said Mr. julien. THE Jap knows
he cannot stand the enormous EXPENSE OF
a war with the United States lie is not
afraid. or anything Of that kind they
don't know what fear of death means.
They are. generally speaking. the most
polite and courteous people I ever have
met and have not forgotten that their
country was opened Up to the commerce
Of the world by Admiral Perry. whose
memory they hold in the deepest esteem.
They are difficult TO comprehend. sni
it is in that feature Of their character
where the danger lies. They are most
secretiye. and do not volunteer any I'm
formation. Just 20 show you a case in
point: I wanted TO 90 to copper mines,
located a considerable distance from
KiotO ] went part OF the way by train
and on alighting found ! would have 10
so thirty miles by OK train 70 reach the
place.
Il did not just feel like doing so. but
decided 10 go back 20 the city. and see
the officials Of the mining company and
get the information I was looking for
I called at their Offices, and a man about
thiTty-five years old waited on me- He
spoke English fUently and asked what
| wanted. / told him exactly the inf0r-
interrupted or asked single question
After / had concluded, he sat there n
while silently. and then. as if arrived at
conclusion, he said I should have the
information at my hotel within three
hours. And 10, and behold, within thar
time to the second there was at my hote.
sheets OF the figures and information
compiled most carefully. and al written
in the English language"
The result Of my observations on the
administration Of the Congo Free State.
where I spent more than year" said
Edgar r. Shelby OF London. al the New
Willard, yesterday. having regard 10
their knowledge Of the country. their
control OF the natives. and the condition
Of the tribes that come under them. the
discipline Of their soldiers. the finely
built stations. and the excellent transport
arrangements. Is that the opening of the
Congo places the Belgians I'm The front
rank as colonizers.
i had exceptional opportunities 10
study the effect Of the Belgian rule on
the natives. spent 2 year in the rubber
region. and for the greater part Of that
time was in out-Of-the-way districts. Iiy-
ing side by side with the natives Though
We spoke with the chief Of every village
We visited, we could not find one sin
gle case OF atrocities This seems TO
convince me that the Congo tribes. as a
whole. are happier since the Belgian oc-
Cupation- I say as a whole advisedIy.
for / must. in all fairness. admit there
are some tribes that feel the oppression
Of being made to work and the military
restraint that keeps them from eating up
other tribes. But in The eyes of the in
terested humanitarian, this misfortune
should be outweighed by the advantages
conferred on the more gentle natives who
now have peace and prosperity.
'The system Of labor imposed upon the
natives can have none but a good effect
It brings them into closer relations with
the white man and civilization. and inn
bues them with a seusa Of responsibility.
As long as the native is left 60 himself
so long VIII he sit outside his hut and
occupy his time staring into vacancy. In
the forest regions soil is rich. and the
chances Of loss by plague or storm so
few, that little husbaudry is required uf
the native 10 grow his crops. But since
the white man levies SO much food from
him it means he must increase his plan
tation. and so the country becomes richer
in cultivation year by year,
"This talk about atrocities is spread
about by selfish interests of rubber peo-
pie who cannot enter the Congo and
others not familiar with the true facts"
sin
happened. but / guess its Il pretty good
yarn" said John T. HoTneT. Of san Fran
cisco, at the National yesterday, and
then told a story about the late Mr. Fish,
Secretary OF State and what he had done
20 certain California major while the
latter was in Washington looking for a
Federal position. This major had be-
sieged Senator Cole 10 such an extent"
continued the Californian, that the horn
buttons on the back of his coat had made
two holes in the Senator's sofa. At last
the irrepressible major was referred to
the Secretary Of State, and promptly
gained an interview with that gentleman.
Entering the presence, his tall white hat
leaning back at an agile Of forty-fve de-
grees strOking his huge mustache, and
relieving his forehead from perspiration
by means of a huge red handkerchief bor-
dered with blue, the Secretary addressed
him: Well, major. ] am told you were or
great service TO our good cause in Cali
fornia during the last political campaign
The major throwing himself back into
a position peculiar 10 himself, and plac-
ing both thumbs in the armh0les of his
vest exclaimed: oh, no, I guess not
It's the man around the corner, in the
grocery
Mr.. Fish. somewhat daunted by the
attitude struck by the major. and deem
ing the language rather UnbecOming for
gentleman 10 make use OF who was an
applicant for a high Federal position, re-