The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-22

they leave much to be desired, and
it is well that we should strive to i'm
prove them gradually, introducing into
Japan only that which is good in the
Western system.
Sees Danger of Unionism.
Japan is a century behind her West
ern neighbors so far as the labor ques-
ton Is concerned, but she need not re-
peat the history of disputes and diff
culties they have had. Take labor
uniorism, for instance in some countries
the institution is attended with serious
evils and has come to be used as -
weapon against the employer classes,
Japan must be free of such evils. II
the object of an organization consists
in the promotion of the real welfare Of
laborers 1t Is we'll and good. But a
union formed with the dangerous idea of
tyrannizing capital by organized force
ought to be kept under control by all
nations.
Another thing we should bear in mind
is the wisdom of refraining from max
ing the labor question a political issue.
In Japan there has existed an ancient
and peculiar relationship between en-
plcyer and employee. This fact must not
be lost sight of. In Europe and America
the relations of employer and employee
are those of buyer and seller; while in
Japan there is a human element In the
relationship of the two. 1t is something
like the relationship of lord and retainer
II this peculiar feature be preserved, If
the employer treat his workmen with a
warm heart as If they were members of
his own family, and IL they work for
their employer with something more
than a cold, calculating head, 1t Is not
impossible to secure harmony between
capital and labor.
The prevalence of such systems as
profit sharing is a straw showing which
way the wind blows. This being so, it
is not impossible that Japan may steal
march upon the advanced nations in
Europe and America and bring the labor
question to successful solution But
we must not forget the fact that the
Japanese laborer Is inferior to his
Western colleagues in point Of efficiency.
This may be attributed to various
cause.-the insufficency of technical
knowledge, the inferiorty of physical
energy and comparative lack of expe-
rience.
Greater Efficiency Needed.
Under the circumstances our working
people should strive to heighten their
efficiency by removing the causes of
their inferiority. For this purpose it
may be necessary for the employer to
complete the arrangements for the pro-
motion of their welfare. but 1t is at
the same time necessary that they them
selves should learn to work in har-
monious coopefation with their EN-
ployers.
And, last but not least, the capitalist
who has many workmen in employ
should be fully awake to the situation.
He should realize the truth that the
labor question is not only a question
for the workmen. but that it is also a
question for himself In the interest of
the nation at large as well as in his own
he should do his best to contribute his
share to the successful solution of the
labor question. And as he is in direct
touch with many workmen he must be
able to appreciate the value of harmoni-
Gus cooperation between capital and
labor. | believe he is in a position to
contribute more than other people to-
ward the desirable end. For this reason
expect more from the awakening of
the capitalist than from that of the
laborer.