The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-13
President of International Society Points to Retirement in
COrea and FormOsa-People in Honorable Effort
Toward Commercial Expansion

Lindsay Russell, president and founder
Of the Japan Society OF New York. which
has a membership OF $50 Americans and
100 Japanese is of the opinion. he says,
that what might b. called a persistent
endeavor to misunderstood the japanese
seems to be a; the root of much of the
comment In this country on Japan and
her share N the world problems Of the
hour
"Nhst ] particularly dc1lore.' Mr.
lindsay saiu T. a reporter for THE sun,
els 4 certain habit OF mind among other
wise sane and efficient Americans that
harks back to Old prejudices and belief
In Old ,ibcls no matter how often or how
fully they have been overset and dis
proved. There is less Of 1t than there
was. but its manifestation Is frequent.
THAT is the unpleasant side. On the
other hand | have found Of late among
the leaders Of the American press and
people, like former President Taft, for
instance, a calmer and more reasonable
view of the Japanese position and
American responsibility In face OF 1t. Our
society. the Japan Society OF New York.
sets its face against the common MS
understanding, basing its attitude on
closer study and more sympathetic ap-
probation of Japan's ancient civilization
and modern uplift. which have combined
to give II a first place among the civilized
nations OF the world.
80 wonderful has been tho progress
and SO unique the national life on WHICH
the newly acquired accomplishments have
been overlaid that there Is at first an
excuse for Misrepresentation by the for
eigner. but II should disappear on closer
acquaintance. Instead. the Land of he
Rising sun tso-called by the Chinese,
since It is over the shores Of Nippon that
Asia first sees the morning) Is the most
misunderstood country In the world.
suxxest. Reading Right Books.
Books without number have been
written abou; Jaian by foreigners dur
ing the last fifty years, most OF them by
transient visitors. and their contradict Ions
as to aims ideals and character have
certainly proved confusing. Our own
Jafcadio Hearn, whose books have won
the widest circulation, are luminous on the
side of the poetry, the color, the aesthetic
charm. the religion Of the country. but
no does not give an accurate idea OF the
real Japan. He sees the land and people
oathed In a roseate glow that IL attractive
but unconvncing.
"IIow then, you ask. can a foreigner
obtain a level, common sense view. In
telligent travel is no doubt the surest way
but this can only be achieved where the
traveller has the opportunity of convers.
ing with Intelligent English speaking
japanese. Short of that let him read the
right books shall mention only two
although there are many Others Or
Nitohes The Japanese Nation, Its Land
Its People and rs Life is one. and ia
pans Message to America. recent col
lection of short ESSAYS written by III,
leading minds in Japan. Is the other.
Books like these will blow away IN,
chaff Of misconsption and leave tn.
golden grain Of real japanese wortl vis
bic. We of the society are strong an,
persistent for this honest understanding
because We TIM nix 1t humanity and nation
ally worth while. A nation that perretu
ally offers US the warm hand OF friend
slip. "A virile nation. a strong nation, ant
cultured nation should not be persistent!