The state herald., 1910-02-18

ago descended into the crater
n of the Asama volcano. has
furnished the correspondent
with the following account of his ex.
perience:
Il have been so severely criticised
by some for taking the risk OF the de-
scent that | wish to set myself right
with such friends by stating my mo-
tives. For years have been deeply
interested in two different lines of sci
entiiic investigation-viz, psychology
and geology. BY the study OF the latter
in my student days | became u reli-
eious agnostic As went on with my
scientih studies | became Interested
in the former science. In the pursuit
together with biology. | have reached
moral and religious assurances which
Wre more solid than archaean rock.
My object in coming to Japan in
the early part of this year was to
work among students along moral and
are to me scientific studies. | had been
in Japan hardly week when gentle
man addressed me with this question:
I'VE in Japan are experiencing what
you would call scientific phenome-
non. Some of our brightest students
nnd scholars get discouraged In their
attempts to solve the mysteries OF this
life and to face its difficulties. Some
uf them go to the volcano Asama and
cast themselves into its fiery depths
My heart goes out toward the per.
picked student and despairing thinker
who is honest us, perhaps. TO no other
class. The student who has no moral
or religious rock on which 10 stand.
no anchor which will grip bottom and
hold. is my brother and am ready to
risk life for his relief.
Again. during a three weeks lectur-
ing tour across Japan spoke in many
educational institutions. | had this
experience: One day as was ascend
ing the platform TO speak TO the stu.
dents OF n certain institution the pres
,dent whispered to me. Say u word
against Asama's crater I knew what
he meant. because In our preceding
conversation reference had been made
DO this psychological phenomenon.
ON the spur OF the moment, In the
course OF my talk referred to the op.
portunities OF exhibiting true bravery
In facing life's daily problems as we'll
as facing Port Arthur From the
looks on the faces OF those students I
venture to affirm that not one OF them
viii make that Asama solution OF life's
difficulties.
Later when invited to visit Karui.
yawa and deliver the lectures referred
20 above. l determined to make the
ascent OF Asama. On the first oppor.
snnity did 80. but that ascent was not
satisfactory on account OF the storm
which overlook our party. But II was
sufficiently successful to arouse my
geological interest Now ! desired II
again for two reasons-both the psy-
Geological and the geological. I deter.
mined to make another ascent and
then for the purpose OF geological oh.
servation and scientific experiment de-
rcend into the crater In order 10 study
Its physical features. In the carrying
out OF this was sure that n psyche
logical eject would also be produced.
When | made known my Intentions
md began to prepare for II many
friends vigorously protested. while
others. TO uso ShakcHpcaro's expires.
sion. damned II with faint praise
toid my friends that was not going
,o be rash. that every scientific pre-.
caution against accident would be
sakcn
The outnt by which the descent
was made consisted OF one frame, q
iaddoriiko structure. 10 feet long. with
~ roller nt one ond over which the rope
attached To my body passed. This
franc could be extended over tho
.rntcr's mouth sufficiently to fres the
ropc from nil ontanglcmcnts with the
rocks and nj the same time II gave
,ufncient leverage for tho men In
charge nj The frame to handle a
weight ten times that Of my body
Then 4. ntnlwaft, icycl-headed men
we're selected. four 10 take charge oi
the frame. four 10 handle tn, rope
by which ! was let down and -four to
cast into the crater projectilcs u, u
given signal. A thirteenth was to be-
q signal man. The signal service
.onsihtcd OF: One pull Of the ron.
lower. two pulls. hold In position.
three pulls. elevate II no sigma
was given during the lapse Of one min
utu the understanding was that was
10 DO at once elevated. A thermome