The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-31
4 GE.D STATESMAN CHOSEN TO LEAD
JAPAN OUT OF HER TROUBLES

rarily conceded in 1859, and on which
further incursons had been made to
her disadvantage by the European
Powers. Okuma was willing to meet
the Western Powers half way, but
when he proposed, for a period of
years only, mixed courts, with judges,
both native and foreign, sitting on the
same bench, as in China, he stirred up
more than a hornets nest OF opposi-
ton. One of the hostile partisans. in
evening dress, and carrying an UNI
brella, in which was secreted a gas.
pipe dynamite bomb. approac ed the
Minister'S carriage and threw the mis-
sile. The explosion shattered Okumas
leg. which had to be amputated. The
assassin then turned upon himself and
cut his own throat.
When the Count recovered he en-
tered the Matsukata Cabinet as For
cign Minister, but resigned in 1896.
After that short lived Ministry. in June,
1898, a coalition Of parties was formed
between Okuma and Itagaki. the Rous-
seau Of japan, who was a radical agita-
tor for liberty. Okuma served as both
Premier and Minister OF Foreign Affairs,
but this ministry lasted only a few
months, and the party alliance was
broken. Okuma. now convinced that he
could do more good to his country in
training up young men with right ideals
than in office, resigned from the leader
ship Of his party.
Calling together a staff of brilliant
young men. mostly educated abroad. he
founded In Toxic, In 1882. the Waseda
University, and has been for many years
its president. In 1913 this superb school
had a faculty Of 17S instructors, a Ii
brary of $4,000 volumes, a household
Of 5.400 students, and being up to date,
a baseball team Of International reputa-
ton.
1t is certain that no one man in
Japan could have gathered together
such a staff of scholars as Okuma did
when he assembled the writer's OF those
two magnificent volumes entitled Fifty
Years OF New Japan" which. despite
their unique value, did not prove to be
financial success. Certainly no other
man could have prevailed upon the ex-
Shotgun, Keiki Tokugawa, the last OF
his line and only very recently deceased.
to come out from his privacy and write
an photographic article explaining
his conduct and the philosophy of the
revolutionary events of 1858.
NO one KNOWS more imam 'kuInd the
record of the first beginnings of inter
course between the United States and
Japan-which is a story almost unique
in diplomacy and wearing something Of
the halo of romance. The suggestion
of a peaceful armada to Japan in 1852
sprang out OF the brain of william a.
Graham, our Secretary Of the Navy. who
fulfilled the hopes and suggestions of
several who went before him, but action
came from President Willard Fillmore
and no one else. The Cabinet was
unanimous and Japan first received
notice, in a Presidential message. from
F'lllmore's pen.
Backed with all the power of the
United States Government, Perry's ex-
petition, through the consummate tact
Of the commodore, proved success.
Then followed the long and patient
labors Of our Consul General. Townsend
Harris. formerly president OF the Board
of Education of the city Of New York, at
Shimoda and in Ycdo.
Okuma, the Premier. will spare no
statecraft in trying to persuade the
Americans not to go back on their rec
ords and promises, as well as in urging
that the United States, rather than Cal
ifornia shall show itself the Govern
ment and enforce treaties. His harder
task. however. will be internal The
militarism of the bureaucracy must be
curbed and bridled. His hostility to
clannism has never been concealed. He