The Glenwood post., 1910-02-19

ROF. JAY j. RODGER, preSl-
dent of the American univer-
sity union, who few days
ago descended into the crater
u of the Asama volcano. has
furnished the correspondent
with the following account of his ex-
perience:
81 have been so severely criticised
by some for taking the risk of the de-
scent that l wish to set myself right
with such friends by stating my mo-
tives. For years l have been deeply
Interested in two different lines of sci
entific investigation-viz., psychology
and geology. BY the study of the latter
In my student days l became reli-
gious agnostic. AS l went on with my
scientif studies l became interested
in the former science. In the pursuit
of these two so different lines of study.
together with biology, l have reached
moral and religious assurances which
are 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 a week when gentle
man addressed me with this question:
We in Japan are experiencing what
you would call scientific phenome-
non. Some of our brightest students
and scholars get discouraged in their
attempts to solve the mysteries of this
life and to face its difficulties. Some
of 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 as. perhaps. to no other
class. The student who has no moral
or religious rock on which to stand,
no anchor which will grip bottom and
hold, is my brother and am ready to
risk life for his relief.
Again. during 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 certain institution the pres
ident whispered to me. Say word
against Asama's crater knew what
he meant, because in our preceding
conversation reference had been made
to 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
venture to affirm that not one Of them
will make that Asama solution Of life's
difnculties.
Later when invited to visit Karui-
zawa and deliver the lectures referred
to above. determined to make the
ascent of Asama. On the first oppor-
tunity did SO. but that ascent was not
satisfactory on account Of the storm
which overlook our party. But 1t was
sufficiently successful to arouse my
geological interest. Now I desired it
again for two reasons-both the psy-
Geological and the geological. l deter
mined to make another ascent and
then for the purpose of geological OBJ
servation and scientific experiment de-
scend into the crater in order to study
Its physical features. In the carrying
out Of this was sure that psyche
logical effect would also be produced
When l made known my intentions
and began to prepare for it many
friends vigorously protested, while
others. to use Shakespeare's express
sion, damned it with faint praise I
told my friends that was not going
to be rash. that every scientific pre-
caution against accident would be
taken.
"The outfit by which the descent
was made consisted of one frame, a
ladderlike structure. Is feet long. with
q roller at one end over which the rope
attached to my body passed. This
frame could be extended over the
crater's mouth sufficiently to free the
rope from all entanglements with the
rocks and at the same time it gave
sufficient leverage for the men In
chArge at the frame to handle
weight ten times that Of my body.
Then IL stalwart. levsl-headed men
were selected. four to take charge Of
the frame. four to handle the rope
by which l was let down and four to
cast into the crater pro3ectiles At q
given signal. A thirteenth was to bs
. signal man. Tho signal service
ooasistsd Of: One pull Of the rope.
lever two pulls, hold In position: )
three pulls, elevate II - sieual
was given during the lapss It 90 min.
Ute 'tAs Understanding was tAat was
= ~ st oses sisvaetd. 4 thsFmsasl