The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-04-15
by FREDERIC j. HAsK1N.

The great exposition to be held in
the capital of Japan in 1912 will be
distinctive in many ways. It will be
the first international affair of the
this fact alone will cause the introduce
ton OF innumerable features hitherto
unknown in similar eNpositions that
have heen given in the Western Hem-
isphere. The exposition Is the growth
of over a century of experience among
the Western nations, but owing to the
peculiarities OF local conditions much
OF this experience will be useless 10
the Japanese.
Foremost among the problems con-
fronting the promoters of the big en- :
terprise in Tokyo is the question OF
living accommodations for any con-
siderable number of foreign visitors.
Tokyo has nearly 100000 inhabitants.
for the entertainment of Europeans
and Americans. The service in all oil
these places is very ordinary. and their
combined facilities arc not equal 70
the entertainment of more than Two
or three hundred guests.
The plan for overcoming this serious
handicap Will not only be unique, but
effective. on the hills surrounding
the site of the exposition are scores
OF Buddhist and Shinto temples, with
The exposition management proposes
Ito erect large numbers of neat little
Japanese cottages in these parks. iuf-
Lnish them in the style of the country,
and install in them capable native ser
wants. These cozy dwellings will pc
rented for any length of time desired,
and at n rate so low that the entire
cost of living Will be less than most
weather in Japan during the summer
season is mild enough to permit OF
camping out with comfort, and the
plan of nuartering visitors In the tenn
pie grounds VIII include the furnishing
of army tents for bachelors or others
who desire still more economical NV
ing Those Americans to whom the
mystic East has appealed through the
pages of prose and rhyme, VIII finn
this cement not only cheap and
comfortable, but 1t will afford them
the opportunity to live within the
sound of the temple bells a-tinkling
''somewheres east of Sue. me eN-
position management Will also con-
struct an immense inside nm, sim
liar to the one of unpleasant memory
at st. Louis.
This exposition will be different from
all others in that it is entirely a GpT-
eminent affair. Instead of being or
ganized and carried on by u private
the money and directs everything. On
account of this many things can be
done which otherwise would be ltnpos-
sible. EXtortion for living acconmo-
uallONS VIII DG pleNciitcb py WV So +.
ernment's providing most of the quar-
ters, and arbitrarily fixing the price
that all others shall charge. This Is
the way they do things in Japan.
The matter of transportation, VIII
also be under government control. The
steamers operating under Japanese
subsidies viii be concentrated in fas'
passenger schedules to American and
European ports, available ships Will be
chartered from other lines, AMI the
ocean rate reduced to such low ia
,re as to practically eliminate dis
lance. One of the purposes of giving
this exposition is to afford the ic,'-
eigner a chance to see for himself
what the Japanese are doing at home,
and the government proposes to make
inducements in the way of extremely
low rates.
To bring the educational benafits of
the big fair within the easy reach OF
the poorest of the Japanese. the gov
eminent will observe the same ltber-
ality as that shown In the plans for
inducing foreign travel The Japanese
people are so poor that the price OF
everything must be extremely cheap
Third class fare on the government
owned railroads of Japan is at present
about 1-2 cent mile, but during the
exposition this rate will be reduced
so per cent. If similar rate was
charged in the United States the fare
from New York to Chicago would be
s2a5, instead OF $50. The cost of liv-
ing for the provincial Japanese who
visit Tokyo will come inside Of 20
cents a day for lodging and three
meals, and the price of admission TO