A WORLD-TOUR OF JAPANESE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14245, 20 June 1908, Page 4

A WORLD-TOUR OF JAPANESE

ARRIVAL IN LONDON. A ROUND OF SIGHT-SEEING. (Faou Oub Own Cobbe.ipohdxht.) LONDON, May 8. On March 18 a party of 59 Japanese ladies and gentlemen—though there are only three ladies in tho party—left Yokohama on a 97 days' tour Toiind the world, travelling under the auspices of the Asahi Shimbim newspaper. They reached London last Saturday,'having cpmo via America —.where much fuss was made of them—and Liverpool. They journeyed by rail from the latter place, and duly reached St. Paucras. Each member of the party lias paid £210 for tho world-trip, which is being conducted by Messrs T. Cook and Son. The party dined in the train on the way up to London, hut the fare provided was not Japanese in character; while in this country the enterprising Japs are going to do and eat just what we Englishmen do and ait; every member of tho party is keen to learn, keen for knowledge of tho West, and alert to correct native ideas. On arru val at, the station seven railway omnibuses were boarded by the travellers with their luggage, and, waving their for each member of the party was in possession of tho Knglish flag,—they were driven off to St. Ermin's Hotel, Westminster. On the evening of their arrival some of tho most energetic members of tho party went to tho Savoy Theatre to see "The Mikado," and they found it very amusing and enjoyable, but they were somewhat critical of the un-.lapanese movements of the chorus—" They don't walk properly, and their manners arc not Japanese!" But it was admitted that they know, how to hold the " shamisens "—Japanese guitaTS—correctly. Mr Sti«imura, the literary editor of the Japanese paper, and commander-in-chief of the expedition, had something to say on this point. Thus: "When I spent two months in England, about a year ago, I went, to Sheffield especially to sec '' The Mikado' performed, as it was prohibited in London, and I told 'the managor there that tho girls did not hold their 'shamisens' as a Japanese girl would. Ho called one of them in, and I showed her how to hold the instrument; that very girl I recognised at the Savoy last night, and she held her 'sliamisen' as I bad taught her." Each day since arrival the. tourists'have had a busy round of sight-seeing,' but they cannot be much impressed by the English climate, for it has rained almost unceasingly. However, they seem to have been having a good time on the whole, and they have been kept " hard at it." A good deal of Monday was devoted to St. Paul's Cathedral, which was thoroughly well explored, under the guidance of Archdeacon Sinclair. They were eager to have pointed out the tombs of Nelson and Wellington. "AVe have," said one of tho little visitors, "our own monuments to heroes, and we arc interested in seeing bow Europe remembers its great men." After leaving St. Paul's they were off to the Crystal Palace—every Japanese who comes to London goes out to Sydenham. Somo of tho tourists are provided with cameras, which they use to any extent, taking " snaps " of features, and monuments, and buildings which appeal to them. And they are. spending small fortunes on picture postcards, which are being sent off to Japan in shoals Altogether, 10 days are. being devoted to London and its surroundings; then will come a dash through France to Italy, and through Germany to Russia; they expect to be back in Japan by the middle of J tine "We like vou; we do not like your weather," sadly observed one of the party, who did not seem to know what to do with himself as he waited in the lounge of tho hotel on rlie chance that the rain would cease for a few minutes and allow him to run out betwen the drops. Asked for her opinion regarding English women, one of the little Jap ladies replied: "Well, they are vory lively in their demeanour, and their [aces are more expressive than the faces of my countrywomen. I think them very fair and pretty. Will you tell your lady readers that, though they seem very tall, I do not notice thai as much as when they visit us in Japan, for there our houses are smaller, and Englishwomen seem very big indeed. But here in vour larger houses it is not so noticeable." Two of the Japanese interested in journalism in their own country paid a visit to the offices of Lloyd's Weekly News, and watched with interest the huge printing presses, each delivering cut and folded copies of the paper at tho rato of 48,000 an- hour. They asked any number of questions, and said that Japan was making her own paper for tho daily journals. Such printing machinery as she imported came from London, ami though she could make her own at half tho price, it did not last so long. People of all classes/are represented by individual members of tho touring partymerchants, brokers, journalists, manufacturers, students, etc., and each one is keenly on the lookout to pick up any '• wrinkles" likely to bo of use when, he gel? home, For this world-tour is, to nave its sequel—there- will be lectures, speeches, articles, etc., available afterward for those wlw have not been able to leave Japan, and in this way it is anticipated that much will be dono in tho way of imparting information a.s to European methods. Each member will return to his own country with note-book stocked with accurate im-pressions-seeds of information which can only result iu furthering the wolfare of Jai»an and in binding England and the English more closely in friendship with its Far-Eastern ally. Comparing certain features of London nowadays with those existing seven years ago when ho was last in this country, Mr 'i'suchiya remarked that he saw so few silk hats and frock coats in the City now— everyone seemed to wear only feJt hats and short jackets, and certainly, ho admitted, they looked more comfortable. Tho motor cabs and motor 'buses in the streets, the trams along tho Embankment—indeed, every change which has beon made within tho interval mentioned seems to have come immediately to, the notice of this enterprising little, traveller Mr Sugimura says that all the travellers are dolightcd with London. " I almost worship London, and I tokl all our people what to expect. They could scarcely credit it all, but now thoy believe. The orderliness of everything— the people, tho streets :ill so well regulated. Then- your buildings are so massive, so solid, so impressive—not always so beautiful!'' A visit to Hyde Park was a revelation to them all—" we've nothing like it/ in Tokio;' your gardens, your beautiful grceu lawns, astonished us." The courtesy of the pressman here seems to have pleased the Japs immensely, " Our experiences were not so happy in America," remarked one in authority, " whero statements were put into our mouths that we did not make. But all the English journalists I bavo met have been both courteous and accurate. The same applies to the piess photographers. ; When we readied St. Pivticras one of the photographers politely asked if I had any ' objection to standing for a moment and i being ' taken.' Such a request was unknown in America, where, although the . ladies of our party specially asked the photographers not- to take them, attempts with the camera were being continually ) made. This greatly embarrassed and annoyed the Japanese ladies.'' ' A tew of the party can speak English, ' but the majority givo vent to their enthusiasm by means of their native tongue. If - they remained hero sufliciontly long all i Landoneis would bo jabbering iu Japanese, ; for the people of the metropolis arc taking ( the keenest interest in the visitors, and are 4 just, as much on the lookout for ideas and J exclamations and "wrinkles" generally as are- the intelligent trippers themselves", who, by the way, were very favourably J impressed by their reception by President '' Roosevelt at Washington, who expressed - himself as being "particularly" glad to t welcome them at the White lionse. .1 , '' GHATEFUL SUFFERERS r Consider Tonking's Linseed Emulsion unequalled as a safe and pleasant remedy for '• winter coughs, diflicult breathing, hoarseness, f colds and chest complaints. All chemists g mi -stoicai'ls od a-nd. 2a fob.,