PATER'S CHATS WITH THE BOYS.

Otago Witness, Volume 01, Issue 2123, 1 November 1894, Page 46

PATER'S CHATS WITH THE BOYS.

*• Real Japan. 1 '

Of Japan itself I have written practically nothing, for what I wrote some weeks ago dealt with its navy. Oorea I described come time since. China, politically, I have also written little of, though from an exceedingly interesting book lent me by Mr Don, the Chinese missionary, I gays you a yeer or more past a few instances of the exfraordinary manners and customa of the inhabitants of the Celasfial empire.

Many books have bean written on Japars, but the best for general readers are " Heal Japan " for adult readers — but unfortunately not procurable in Dunedin — and "Seas and Lands," which is more for general reading and for old and young ; and thiß week aad ntxfc I purpose writing a couple of contributions dealing with Japan, my information being culled from theae and other sources. Oa account of her willingness to adopt American and European civilisation, China oalls Japan an Asiatic traitor, which she is, and abe cau be truly called the Yankee* of the West Pacific.

JAP AH AS EASTEBN POWEB.

For some years Japan has had her eyes on Oorea, for she recognises that its possession or absolute neutrality will be a strength to her, and with, this in view she has been as steadily preparing as France to get back the Rhine pro vines?. An arsenal has been established at, Koishikam (in. Tokio), which is a complete edition, on a smaller soale, of Woolwich. A day's work in it is 100 ri&tß and 30.000 cartridges, though 70,000 of the latter can be turned out if required. The works employ regularly over 2300 hands. The Yokosuka dockyards are modelled on. Wool* wich and Portsmouth, and first-rate torpedo boats and the most modern ordnance are turned out with the regularity and good quality of a Ktupp or an ArmstroDg. " Twenty-five years ago Japanese soldiaia wore hugs grotesque iron mask helmets to frighten the enemy, chain and^acquer aimour to turn bis blows; their great shoulder cannon would have been antiquated in England at the time of the Armada, and they were led by a man with a fan I " To-day 60,000 are in the field as the regular army, and tbia can be increased to 200,000 if necessary. How has this change come about 1 In various ways.

When the present Emperor ascended the throne a feudal system existed as in England daring the Norman period. In 1868 feudalism was abolished and the retainers, a proud and well-born class of fighting men ex'jretnely skilled in the use of such arms as they possessed, found the nucleus of a national army. In 1874: conscription became law, and it Is said that if the Japanese wished it, over 200,000 could be enrolled every year;; but as^that number is far beyond present and prospective requirements, and no doubt beyond the power of the nation to pay for the training of, a system of^exemptions has been adopted which allows about a half to escape enrolment. According to the law, every male from 17 to 40 is subject to military service — three years with the colours (the standing army), four in the standing army reserve, five in the reserve*, and 11 in the territorial army. So you see th« military system is as com* plete as in Gsrmany or France, and to keep in touch with European methods, Frenchmen, Garmans, and an Italian (but only six of them altogether) are employed. It will be seven or efght years before the army will be on the effioient footing that the Japanese hope for, but even as It is the i author of " Real Japan " says that in drill and arras the Japs are far ahead of anything Asiatic, and in most respects would hold their own with European troopß. While, however, the army is In a good condition it is to the navy that Japan Is devoting her main efforts. Her army was partly the outcome of the abolition of the feudal system, but her navy lias been deliberately built up with foresight tO. gfiftlglLft Bt«W'»ffl!Mft*YWW Uae ot

policy. She is determined to be the dominant Asiatic power on the Pacific ; she ig determined tbat civilised nations shall no longer dictate to her, but that she Bhall treat with them on equal terms ; and she is determined to acquire Oorea.

In'lSß7 about £2,600,000 was voted forth© navy ; in 1890 she spent nearly £1,100,000 out of ordinary revenue on the same object ; and in addition over £4C0,000 was subscribed voluntarily. Only last year the Emperor ordered £60,000 a year to be taken off bi« salary, and civil servants to be reduced 10 per cent, for six years, to form a fund for tha construction of men-of-war.

When "Real Japan" was written (not before 1391 at any rate) the nation was spending 27 par cent, of her income on her army and navy, so it will be seen that tbm busy and patriotic little Jap maans bnsines*. He ia not only endowed with pluck and patriotism, but ambition.

As I have said, Japan* navy was, and la still, intended for more than the conqueat of Oorea or bombarding the outer skin of th« inert Chinese mass. Japan it dstermined that the treaties which causa her to rank with semi- barbarous nations shall ba abolUhed. Ia 1858 and 18G6 treaties wera made between Japan,. Great Britain, and other countries which Japan was in no position to object to. Three points will show how one-sided they were. No import ox export duties exceeding 5 per cent, (really redaced to 3 per cent, by undervaluation, kc.) were to be put on tbe commerce cf tha nations in the agreement ; all foreigners were to be tried net in Japanese courts, but by tba forciga consuls, who certainly would not favour the Japs> or even give them jastice; and all channels and harbour* were to ba buoyed and lighted to the satisfaction of tho foreign nations trading, the Japanese Government, to be to the entire expenie of doing this. Imagine Great Britain forcing such terms on France, er Germany, or the United States.

Jipan has long since made up her mind that such an inequitable state of things shall ceaae to exist, and a navy is a means to tbat end if force 6houid ba necessary. In 1885, the fitEt Jspanese Diet was created. Then for the first time met the House of Peers (partly hereditary, partly elected, partly nominated) and the House of Rspreientativea elected by the people. In 1832 tba Eecoud election took place, and the pdacipal election cries were (a) abolition of treaties fciced on Japan, (4) Japanese law for all on Japanese soil, (c) exclusion of foreigners from coastal trade, and (d) prevention ox foreigners from possessing laud, mine?, rail* ways, ship-building works and dookyards.

A Japanese expression of feeling will show why a navy has been built up to secure independence in commerce and law : — "Tha J^pan of to-day U not tbe Japan of old. The treaties are no longer appropriate;. What is wanted is tbe comnge to take decisive action. We must have au army ready to meet any attempt at intimidation, which would in any case not be joined in by all the powers. It foreigners refuse to listen to us and resort to unjust measures we shall leave the issue to be settled by war. I hold that in our intercourse with foreigners we should endeavour to cultivate their friendship by observing good faith and justice in our dealings with them. Bat where cur national tights fire concerned, whoxe the peace and tranquillity of our nation is at stake, what we require is energy and courage to remain firm to tbe last extremity. Our foreign relations are influenced exclusively by intimidation. There is an old saying that an sxccbb of good nature ia akin to weakness ; too much courte»y an approach to flattery. For&igners ara guided by selfi. >h policy. Let vi abandon the course we have pursued hitherto. Left us Increase cur military resources, deepen our moat?, build formidable fortification*. Ac the same time let vs observe good faith and practise justice while maintaining our dignity. Japan shall aim at becoming the leader of eastern nations, with tho aid of 20 powerful mea-of-war and 100,000 welldrilled troopa."

These are the utterances of a statesmanlike, reasonable, self-respecting, patriotic man, aren't they \ Can we find fault with them? I think not, but rather with tho nations that have by intimidation forced tba Japs to sign treaties their judgments caw the injustice of. Next week I may have a few more words oa Japan and its people. By the bye, wasn't there a telegram a week or so ago stating tbat in fntare all foreigners were to be amenable to Japanese law i I think bo. A brief telegram, you set, may mean a great deal, and most of us be ignorant of its importance.

— All kind* of fish, exrept the cheaper sorts oaten by the pc«r, are taxed for revenue ia Prance.

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