The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-10-18
JaDs Can't Fathom Temperament Of
 American People
Interesting Address of Former Foreign Minister = Other Happenings of Interest fin Ja- pan.

sy gave occasion recently to Count Shigenobu Okuma, former Japanese Foreign Minister, to express his i'm pressfons of American temperament.
 The problem was a vast one, he de- c1ared - more far-reaching than is commonly thought by the Japanese people. It was a problem whose solution depended upon patience and endurance as well as diplomatic tact. Japan, which had regained after a long struggle the right of decision in her own affairs, must now acquire the power to have a say among the great nations on all questions involving her interests
 Meantime the United States will re-
 main difficult problem. he said, not only to Japan, but to the whole of Europe. He added: Great Britain has been time and again annoyed by the naughty and eccentric manner in which America behaves herself. The arbitration and Panama tolls prob lenns are the latest Illustrations
 The veteran statesman continued:
 What makes the matter more trou- blesome is the tenn pestuot1s and iras- cib1e mood of the American people. One moment they rise and rage like madmen and in the next drop to non chalance. For instance, the Ca1tfor- nia problem seems already sinking
 
 never know the vagaries of the Amer ican psychology
 However, Count Okuma is brightly optimistic and believes Japan and America will eventually settle all their problems even if it takes a, century ship and common interest.
 Decrease of Divorce.
 One of the most striking features of the new census report of Tokyo is the rapid decrease of dfvorces. In 1904 there were 20 divorces to every 100 marriages. In 1911 the percentage had fallen to 16 in 100.
 This decline is attributed to an inn portant change that is slowly but sure 1y taking place in the family system of Japan. The growth of individualism and the greater opportunities for the average citizen to advance on basis of intelligence and capacity have af- fected the family system so much that certain distinct results are aI- ready noted.
 Greater freedom of choice is per nitted among the young people and the influence of the motherAn-1a.w over the new household has consid- erab1y diminished. Until Western in- huences began to affect the Japanese social system the newly welded bride always entered the home of her moth er-in-1a5w and-ebeyed her in her ev- cry action. This state of affairs of ten led and does lead now to discord and divorce. But the assertion by the daughter-in-law of her rights and the tendency for new couples to es- tablish a home by themselves has changed all this.
 Tokyo Has 1900, ,OOO.
 Although Toyl1o is said to be almost as large in area as LOT on, its popu- 1atfon is. according to the latest fig ures, only 100000.
 Big as 1t is in extent, Tokyo is con stantly spreading out and the ques-= tion of transp ortation looms up as 8. tremendous problem for the near fu- ture. The modern electric car sys- tenn supplies the great masses with a. means of transport, but it is believed some substitute must be found for the requires such a length of time to trav- el between distant points. It is not that the electric notorious of the great European cities may find it's way to Tokyo as solution of the problem.
 Tokyo's growth has made other rap i'd changes and the most notable is in the cost of living. This is about three times as high as it was ten or fifteen years ago. Newly arriving foreigners who come to live in Japan are astounded. They find that the COSI OA 11F4AS HI CSp6AA IS cdS 41Sn as in Paris or London, though the ab- sence of theatres and restaurants and the general places of amusem ent re- duce the possibilities of expenditure for the 1uxurieS of life.
 The increase in Japanese taxes is the fundamental cause of the higher cost of living, It has caused the la borer to triple his wage in the last twenty years and everything else has in its wake.
 s1 A Japanese Mob.
 The difference between a Japanese and other mobs was demonstrated during the popular manifestations to demand the sending of armed forces to China to punish the Chinese for at Japanese in Nanking.
 The gathering was certainly more pictur esque than a Western mob and It balanced at times between the tragic and the farcicaI- At one end of the vast Ribiya Park the huge oand-stand was damned with frenzied orators, with in front unduIating mas ses of Japanese in flowing, artistic -obes, almost all wearing wooden san 7alS over bare feet and the great ma lority jauntily swing walking sticks as hey sauntered back and forth to hear he hoarse-vo1ced ag1tators and to gossip over the events of the day Oc- they would stop to stare cu- -iously at the few foreigners present.
 The slightest incident served to agf- ate this vast concourSe and send it 1 rushing down the field, the wooden shoes making the chatter of a force of cavalry. Hundreds climbed trees and. hanging their wooden shoes across the coughs, took in the show from their | points of vantage. A pioneer suffra- l sette dragged herself to the band | stand and urged the help of Japanese women to the cause of the meeting
 Even sheets of rain failed to shake i he spirit of the mob, and all after | noon and night students and workmen continued to harangue the crowd. | which refused to be called off despite | hunger and thirst until daybreak.
 The demonstration indicates the | tendency of the masses to have a | greater voice in the doings of the em- | oire. It was an illustration of the | rroRth of democracY.