The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-25


 Stephefl's Letter from Kioto, Japan, to
 the Columbia Herald.
 NN HEN we reached Japan we won- \~ dered why there were so many
 " one-story houses and so few or greater height. We have had it explained by heavy earthquake which rocked the huge hotel in which we were stopping as though it were a cradle. The shock came about ? o'clock in the morning and lasted for over two minutes. But it brought the guests from their beds in most precipl- tous manner. Residents did not take much notice of it, and there was but slight comment concerning it in the papers. Earthquakes are frequent, al- though this one is said to have been the heaviest for some time Those who keep scientific record declare there is an aver age of 1900 year, or nearly four day. But if so they are not perceptible There has been but one that was destructive. That was in 1871, when 10000 people were killed and 13O,0OO houses were destroyed. This is one reason why houses are low and built chiefly of wood. Another reason is the constant danger of fire growing out of the peculiar method of heating houses by a basin filled with charcoal, which is taken from room to room and often han dled carelessly.
 The Japanese house is a constant source of interest. I wondered at the paper par titions between the rooms. I discover that they are so constructed that they can be thrown into one room, and that these par titions are sliding, making 1t possipie when occasion requires to cut them up into numerous rooms. Thus there may be a large room in which the family can live in the day time, while they can divide the house into numerous sleeping apartments at night It may seem absurd, but 1t IS said to be true that many houses of the poorer class are so small and light that they can be folded up and carried away upon the shoulders of the owner, while the contents are so light that they can De loaded upon the owners wife, The spec tacle of man carrying his house. and his wife the household and kitchen furniture is one that is said not to be uncommon in Japan, but which can be seen nowhere else in the world. The houses are void of tables or chairs or bedsteads, or any furniture even a cooking stove. rms makes housekeeping somewhat less for-, midable undertaking than in America It is said that a fair sized cottage can be furnished for $1O, while some furnishings cost as low as $2.50.
 So far as I can perceive there is no unfriendliness toward America. Notwith- standing that 1 have not picked up daily paper since have been in the coun- try that there has not been in it tele- graphic report of some anti-Japanese sem tin1ent in America I have observed no such sentiment here in newspaper edi- torials or among the people. I have min gled freely with the people, have passed countless multitudes on the streets and by train. have talked with many representa- tive Japanese and have not heard and l have not seen any one who has heard any unfriendly expression or demonstration against Americans. On the contrary there is apparently the best of feeling towards our country with whom there are now so many intimate commercial, social and ed- ucational relations, that any breach be- tween the countries would here be uni yersally deplored as a national calamity. But the fact is also evident that America would have most serious job on her hands if she engaged in war with Japan. | For not onlyNi is this nation, with it's 50,- l 0OO, 900 people, and it's splendid army and navy. a formidable proposition of itself, but in event of war it is plain that China would in all probability be her ally, and | there would be the greatest war of the ages. I feel sure that America is wise enough not to be drawn into any trouble l with Japan.
 1 There is practically no gold in circula- l ton in Japan, although it's money system l is upon gold basis. Silver and currency | are in universal use. The two denomina- l tions are yen, worth just half an Ameri- l can dollar, and sen. worth half an Ameri- l can cent. Five sen, 10 sen. 20 sen and 50 1 sen silver pieces are in circulation. while