Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-13
TO VIEW
IAPANS INDUSTRY
Eastern Questions viii Be
More Realistic at End
of VOYAGE.

Eastern questions will hereafter be-
come for many members of Congress
more realistic and understandable, and
therefore sympathetically treated,
after their visit to the commercial
cities Of japan" says a bulletin from
the National Geographic Society, the
fe urth or series dealing with the
itinerary OF the congressional party's
trip to the orient
Kobe, Osaka and Yokohoma will
proudly display for American obser-
vation their busy factories with their
interesting products, and busting
docks where junks plying inland
waters and foreignbound steamers
1T is probable. too. that these
visitors will enter the busy city of
Kobe after a charming trip through
the Inland sea, that picturesque land
locked basin with four channels to
the outer sea- a fairyland of islands
covered with temples and trees which
IS FAMOUS in japanese song and story.
One writer has called 1t the gem of
the world. Certainly it is one of the
most beautiful sea routes in the world.
Harbor Divided U.
Kobe, with its 2,741 acres of excel
lent harbor, which in modern, up-to-
date fashion has been divided sys-
tematically into sections for junks,
merchant vessels and for the dread
raughtS of the Japanese navy, is the
most attractive of the treaty ports
and has within the last few years
sii-- ahead Of Yokohama in the volume
or its commerce, its total trade being
about 40 per cent of the whole trade
OF the country. 1t ships copper.
for hats. mattings. camphor. tea and
cotton yarn, and yearly enough pas
sengers land on its docks to make q
city the size Of Seattle, Kansas City
or Providence.
This port, which is now so attrac-
lively situated on the hill slopes run
ming down to the sea, was merely a
group of fishing huts about fifty years
ago. when it was first opened to for
eign commerce.
And a hard time, SO tradition tells
US. the inhabitants of Hyogo. the old
part of the city, had in the twelfth CEN
fury attempting to make their water
front place of protection for even their
small boats and fishing junks. While
trying to build the harbor, SO the story
goes. Kiyomori, the actual ruler of the
country, found that entertainments
Upon consulting a fortune-teller he was
advised that a sacrifice OF human be
inss. who must be buried alive. would
propitiate the angry sca-gods who were
causing the destruction. Thirty
strangers were ordered seized as VIC
tins. but Matsuo. a page to Kiyomori.
offered himself as a substitute. With
the gallant youth, stone slab bearing
an inscription was buried to tell OF his
heroism. The harbor was then SUCCESS
fully completed.
Venice of the East.
Osaka. which has been styled be-
cause Of its numerous canals and
bridges the Venice of the East. is one
of the three imperial cities. and has a
popula ton OF a million. Hero is located
the Japanese mint covering forty acres.
q shipyard having 1.000-foot front
age. and important factories which mako
cotton cloth, glass; iron and steel prod
uctS, boots and shoes. matches and to-
bacco products. Most Of the trade OF
Osaka, however. since the harbor is I'M
suited for large vessels, is with the in
terror.
From Japans other important port.
Yokohama, where Commodore Perry
first entered the country in 1854. It is
probable that tie American party will
leave. As the transport steams out from
the city and the picturesque little towns
about tho harbor fade into the haze, the
majestic form of Fujiyama, the sacred
mountain. will still tower in the dir
lance. For those who have climbed It's
rugged height in the dark before dawn
to SOC the sun rise in Splendor over its
rim and have peered into the crater Of
tho old volcano. the picture is one they
will be- glad to bring home with them
in their hearts"