The Washington herald., 1912-07-30

the disease which had often devastated
the population of Japan: the European
calendar, photography. meat eating and
countless other Western institutions and
customs. In that year also European
dress was adopted as the court attire
and the wearing of the queue was inter-
dicted. Persecution of Christians was
stopped.
Not even the least important OF these
Western innovations was introduced
without encouragement from the throne
Receives Foreigners.
The Emperor began receiving foreign
ers, and that without the veil which had
for ages concealed the face of japan s
sovereign from the gaze Of even the
noblest of his subjects. But most i'm
portant was his raising of trade and labor
to a dignity hitherto undIlNned of. The
Emperor set the young men of great fam
lilies 20 industry and business. encourag-
ing them TO take up vocations which had
for centuries been despised as unworthy
of a man of blood. Commerce had been
for ages in the hands of the meanest of
the people. and this fact, Japanese apol-
ogists say. accounts for the sharp prac-
tices among Japanese tradesnen of which
the Occidental complains.
Steamship companies were established
in Japan beginning in 1915, torture was
abolished soon after, financial reform
was effected by the commutation of the
pensions of the Samurai, or warrior
class and in 1873 bourse and cham
Der of commerce were established in
Tokyo. In 1880 laws based OF the code
of Napoleon were introduced and pro-
mulgated by the Emperor. Three years
later a supreme court of justice was es-
tablished. In 1884 the teaching of Eng
lish IN the common schools was begun.
Take up Westernisms.
From 1855 to 1887 are described as the
years OF the foreign fever" when
Japan seemed about to be submerged in
a food of Occidental influences. The
japanese took up with feverish eager
ness all sorts of ''westernisms," some
Of them but fads. Thus. card playing.
athletics, dancing, and foreign dress for
women came in. The same period was
one of change in politics. Administrative
reforms were introduced, great numbers
of offices abolished. and such an upheav-
al took place that it is now also known
as the time Of the ''O-jishon," or great
The adoption Of certain great and sound
by the Emperor and his min
listers had aroused in the people a perfect
mania for all things foreign. Years of
breathless activity among the people en-
sued. and "EuropeaniZation" was pushed
to financial details" Naturally a re-
action ensued, which led to pronounced
feeling among the people.
Constitution Granted.
Notwithstanding this reaction, the |
Emperor and his ministers continued on |
their course, and in 1889, on the 2,54sth |
OF the founding of the en-
pire. the constitution was granted and
1t was followed by the local |
act, and in 1886 great
step toward commercial development was |
taken in the granting of bounties to
shipping and navigation. In the follow
ng year the gold standard was adopted. |
Treaty revision was finally secured in
The same decade, and japan was thrown 1
open to foreigners for trade and resi-
ience, subject to the same laws as i'm
posed upon the japanese.
Meanwhile Japan had astounded the |
world by inficting utter defeat upon |
he Chinese. In this war the Emperor |
went to Hiroshima, to be 700 miles near
IT the forces operating in China. His re-
turn to Tokyo was such a triumphal pro-
,ession as few rulers have ever enjoyed. |
The popular enthusiasm was changed |
INTO rage, however, when the Powers, |
II the behest of Russia, stepped in and |
forced the relinquishment of the Lao
tung Peninsula, seized from China as
part of the spoils of victory. Then be-
gan that preparation for conflict with
Russia, and the prejudice against Europe |
and in favor Of the United States, which
had taken no part in despoiling victorious
Japan.
Grow Suspicious.
This occasion was likewise the begin
ming Of distrust Of the foreigner in Japan.
LII