TWO CHOSEN TO TOUR THE WORLD

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6668, 23 July 1928, Page 3

TWO CHOSEN TO TOUR THE WORLD

JAPANESE STUDENTS BEGIN , LONG RACE TAKING- OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. ” , TOKYO. Two young men of , Japan,'’one travelling cast, and the other west, left Tokyo early this month for a race around the world. . / > They will be allowed 1500 dollars apiece for the journey; only regular transportation, lines may be used; in certain defined. cities, city halls, embassies and press association offices must be visited; the trip must bo Completed within a fixed minimum of time, and the contestants must wear blue serge'suits and felt hats. The contest is under the auspices of the Jiji Shimpo, a, Tokyo daily. # newspaper, and is undertaken with the hope of ascertaining just; how rapidly the world may be circledby existing means of transportation. Linton Wells at present holds the record of having gone around the world in 28 days, 14, hour's , and 36 minutes and no effort Avili be,- made to break that record,since it was achieved by the mso of i special airplanes and special private moans of travel., ' . ' ‘■ 'I;/ New York, London; Paris, Berlin’ and Moscow must be touched. The Jiji believes that the trip will require. about 35 days, and that the man oging eastward will have the advantage because of flying conditions. The trip must be made for not more than 1500 dollars,. which the Jiji Shimpo will pay. This will permit first class accommodation everywhere. The winner will be given a prize Of 1500 dollars and the loser one of 500 dollars provided he returns to Japan within a, specified time. . ' The westbound contestant is Ryukichi Matsui, an alumnus of Keio Gijuku, Shi\>a, Tokyo, and the , eastbound contestant Toichiro Araki, lecturer on scientific management in Yokohama Higher School of Technology. They were chosen from 370 candidates from all walks of life, many of whom had never been abroad before and were immediately rejected on that account.