Evening journal., 1917-10-15
A Modem Miracle,
Commercial Japan
tFrom the New York TrIbune.)

blessings for millions. That is what
Japan has achieved.
For there are readers Of The Sun
who remember wildly the day when
the Japan trader was despised. The
Mikodo's Empire OF that era saw no
chimney railway, telegraph, free pub
lie school, parliament, unrestricted
commerce, or fair play for the trader.
Iron traditions OF social oppression
made the rule OF life; for feudalism,
like an unmeted glacier, protruded In
Japan until 1871. Trade. finance, bust
ness, were degrading. In presence Of
his superiors, the merchant must
crouch on all 'ours, kneel with head
bowed, step out OF his sandals and
get down Off his saddle, even Of a pack
horse. Before the professions OF the
leudal lords windows must be shut
and the cry Of the strident herald was
Down on your knees r. Socially, even
the well TO do merchant was but a
swab, reckoned lower tan farmer or
mechanic. And II, unarmed and help
less, he by craft and cunning took re-
venge Of insult on his sworded su-
perior, who was TO blame when wits
were forests Of slender blades. Now,
the swords gone, commerce thrves.
The merchant rises.
The old situation explains the tradl-
tional reputation, but not the real
character, Of the Japanese trader of
1917. In perspective. the student Of
history understands why, even as late
as in Tudor England, both chapman
ard lords Of the steelyard, when out
Ide their quarters and on the public
highway, were fair game for the ruff
nan. A Shylock on the stage excited
no surprise. Even today English bust
ness and nobility are perhaps further
severed socially than in Japan. More
over, the secpecy required In feudal
society. with It's three hundred Jealous
clans, having passed away, frankness
/ is the law of trade.
Behold a miracle 10 took place on
q the t4th Of October, 1872. A cloudless
day fltly opened the new era. The rail-
road was to be opened from Toxic %
lokohoma. There standing, yes, stand
ing, in the presence Of the Son OF
Heaven the Emperor. were four mer-
chants in plain garb. It nearly took
ones breath away thus to see and
hear. They received words OF welcome
from his Majesty Face TO face and I'D.
right these beginners Of better day
uttered response Of gratitude and loy-
atty. Nothing like that in Japan for
$500 years. Only four years before, af-
ter his audience given 10 foreign en-
voys, the Shinto censors and censers
In elaborate sacred ceremonies had
made prolonged fumigaton Of the Mi
kado's illustrious person.
1t were tedious TO detail the SEQUEL
The results are before our eyes. The
first iron highway, once no longer
than the man with the seven leaglied
boots could span at a stride. has be-
come network Of national highways
in steel. Telegraph and telephone
wires outrival even the spiders OF
falryland The Emperor visits the
merchant-both host and guest belnc
in honor. The trader sits in Imperla
council chambers and the halls o.
state. He wears decorations on hi
breast. The rill Of commerce. ono
scarce suflclng for one thirsty bull q
: bear, such as Wall Street refreshes b,
: thousands daily, has become Zoo
/. that fertilizes nations.
VI II Is for the development Of Amer
lean as well as Japanese commerce h
the Far East-our New West tina
= these men from Nippon come.