MOTHER JAPANESE PROBLEM

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8792, 22 April 1907, Page 4

MOTHER JAPANESE PROBLEM

There is at least one thing in common between I r ssident Roosevelt ami Mr W. J. Ryan, wlio aspires to be the next President —they have both had a Japanese problem to deal with. The essential difference was that whereas the President’s trouble was entirely a political affair, with Mr Ryan it was domestic. The “silvertongued” advooave of free silver suffered one of the penalties of fame. Among the many queer customs of Japan is one, it appears, by which a young man whoso ambition is not handicapped by any excess of bashfulness can adopt some eminent Xorsou as his father; an immemorial custom, it is said, compels the person. thus honored to accept the -care of his self-styled sou until the latter can earn his own living. Some years ago a Whisper of Mr Ryan’s fame reached the ears of an aspiring young Japanese, who without delay decided to adopt the would-be Presidseut as bis father, and wrote to him to that effect, adding that he Was sailing at once for the United Sites. Mr Bryan* is something of a philosopher, hnt to have a Japanese sou thrust upon one would strain the mental calm of anybody, and Mr Bryan having a son and daughter of his own did not welcome the idea. It is also possible that Mrs Bryan made some remarks on the subject. However, one flue morning there was a knock at the Bryan door, and when the head of the house opened it ho was confronted hy a small Japanese, who introduced himself with the simple observation, “I have come.” Mr Bryan’s charity and a certain resignation to the inevitable learned possibly from election defeats, did the rest for the hoy. ‘‘ Ho was made welcome, and has since been literally one of the family, even adopting its name. He lias received the same education that Mr Bryan’s own sou lias had, and will return to Japan, equipped with all that American civilisation can give, and that lie can carry.

With the pleasing international name of Yaniachita Y. Bryan, ho has lately been travelling over the United States as private secretary to a member of the J apanese Parliament who has been studying American industries. ’ ’ The system of choosing a father seems to have worked admirably, so far as tnc son is concerned, in this case, hut it is possible to imagine instances in which it would result less happily. We wait now to hear of some enterprising Japanese lad hoisting himself into the more streuouus household of President Roosevelt.