366. A review of Japan's

economic

advance

A Japanese official gives the following brief summa of the remarkable advance in commerce and indust which has transformed Japan during the last thirty yea into one of the world's great industrial nations.

The first line of railway was constructed between Tokyo a Yokohama, eighteen miles, in 1872. Since that time the go ernment railroads have been yearly extended at a varying ra (condensed) of increase. The first private line was built in 1883, and co ered sixty-three miles. After that, the railroad construction w somewhat slow, but recently, with national progress, it has bee advancing very rapidly. In 1890 we had 551 miles of gover ment lines and 896 miles of private lines, total, 1447 mile Since the war with China marked development has been made and in 1901 there were 1059 miles of government lines an 2966 miles of private lines, a total of 4025 miles.

Navigation

Foreign trade

Weaving

Navigation in Japan began to develop about 1884 or 1885 but until the war in 1895 it did not make any considerabl progress. In 1890 there were only 1450 vessels constructed after the European pattern, the tonnage of which was 145,692 tons. But since the promulgation of the Navigation Encour agement Subsidy Law and Shipbuilding Encouragement Subsidy Law of March, 1896, the work has developed remarkably. New lines to Europe, America, and Australia have been founded. Thus we find that in 1901 Japan owned 5415 vessels of the Western pattern, the tonnage of which was 919,968 tons.

Since the Restoration the foreign trade of Japan has made wonderful strides. In 1877 the total trade with foreign countries, exports and imports, amounted to only 50,000,000 yen,1 but in 1890 the amount had risen to 138,330,000 yen. Ten years later, in 1900, it went up again to 491,690,000 yen, having quadrupled during one decade. In 1902 it reached 530,044,324 yen.

In 1890 or 1891 the weaving industry did not show any marked development, and the value of goods woven was about 30,000,000 or 40,000,000 yen. But recently, aided by the progress of applied chemistry, and also of technology. the industry

has made considerable progress, and in 1899 its product was
valued at 150,000,000 yen. During ten years the increase
has been more than fourfold. Now, with the manufacture of
cotton-yarn, it has become one of the principal industries of
the empire.

The cotton-spinning industry had its origin in 1880 or 1881, Cotton
and developed gradually until, in 1890, the total number of spinning
spindles reached 277,895, producing 5,132,588 kwan [about
42,000,000 pounds] of cotton yarn. But since, in 1894, the
duty on exports of cotton yarn, and in April, 1896, that on the
import of raw cotton, were removed, the industry made marked
progress, and in 1901 the number of spindles in use daily
reached 1,181,762, and the productive capacity had increased
to 33,323,770 kwan [nearly 275,000,000 pounds]. To-day
cotton spinning has become the chief industry of the country.

With the progress of Japan in trade, industry, and general enlightenment, there came inevitably a demand for a more liberal government. After sending a commission to Europe for the purpose of studying representative institutions there, the Japanese drafted a Constitution of their own (issued in 1889), from which the following clauses are taken. It well illustrates the eagerness of Japan to follow European example in organizing its government.

CHAPTER I. THE EMPEROR

ART. 1. The Empire of Japan shall be ruled over by 367. So Emperors of the dynasty which has reigned in an unbroken extracts line of descent for ages past.

from th Japanes

2. The succession to the throne shall devolve upon male Constitu
descendants of the Imperial House, according to the provisions
of the Imperial House Law.

3. The person of the Emperor is sacred and inviolable.
4. The Emperor being the Head of the Empire, the rights
of sovereignty are vested in him, and he exercises them in ac-

(Februa 1889)

5. The Emperor exercises the legislative power with th consent of the Imperial Diet.

6. The Emperor gives sanction to laws, and orders them t be promulgated and put into force.

7. The Emperor convokes the Imperial Diet, opens, closes and prorogues it, and dissolves the House of Representatives...

9. The Emperor issues, or causes to be issued, the ordi nances necessary for the carrying out of the laws, or for the maintenance of the public peace and order, and for the pro motion of the welfare of his subjects. . . .

10. The Emperor determines the organization of the different branches of the administration; he fixes the salaries of all civil and military officers, and appoints and dismisses the same. Exceptions specially provided for in the present Constitution or in other laws shall be in accordance with the respective provisions bearing thereon.

11. The Emperor has the supreme command of the army and navy.

12. The Emperor determines the organization and peace footing of the army and navy.

13. The Emperor declares war, makes peace, and concludes

treaties. . . .

CHAPTER II. RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF SUBJECTS

18. The conditions necessary for being a Japanese subject shall be determined by law.

19. All Japanese subjects shall be eligible equally for civil and military appointments, and any other public offices, subject only to the conditions prescribed by laws and ordinances.

20. Japanese subjects are liable to service in the army or navy, according to the provisions of law.

21. Japanese subjects are subject to taxation, according to the provisions of law.

22. Subject to the limitations imposed by law, Japanese subjects shall enjoy full liberty in regard to residence and change of abode.

23. No Japanese subject shall be arrested, detained, tried,

for c

es, 55

army

Japanes

ence

24. No Japanese subject shall be deprived of his right of being tried by the judges determined by law.

25. Except in the cases provided for by law, the house of no Japanese subject shall be entered or searched without his permission.

26. Except in the cases provided for by law, the secrecy of the letters of Japanese subjects shall not be violated.

27. The rights of property of Japanese subjects shall not be violated.

Such measures, however, as may be rendered necessary in the interests of the public welfare shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of the law.

28. Japanese subjects shall, within limits not prejudicial to peace and order, and not antagonistic to their duties as subjects, enjoy freedom of religious belief.

29. Japanese subjects shall, within the limits of law, enjoy liberty in regard to speech, writing, publication, public meetings, and associations..

...

Section 104. War between Japan and China and
its Results

In the war which Japan began against China in 1894,
she gave evidence of her determination to advance her
commercial and industrial interests on the mainland at all
costs, and at the same time demonstrated her ability to
wage war with all the modern devices known to military
science. Japan's official reasons for going to war with
China are set forth in the following proclamation :

We, by the grace of Heaven, Emperor of Japan, seated on a 368. The throne occupied by the same dynasty from time immemorial, Japanese do hereby make proclamation to all our loyal and brave subjects as follows:

We hereby declare war against China, and we command

each and all of our competent authorities in obedience to our

declaration

China (189

China interferes with Korea's independence

China interferes with Japanese reforms in Korea

carry on hostilities by sea and by land against China, wit the means at their disposal, consistent with the law of nati

During the last three decades of our reign our constant has been to further the peaceful progress of our country in ci zation; and, being sensible of the evils inseparable from c plications with foreign States, it has been our pleasure to inst our ministers of State to labor for the promotion of frien relations with our treaty powers. We are gratified to kr that the relations of our empire with those powers have yea increased in good will and fellowship. Under the circumstan we were unprepared for such a conspicuous want of amity a of good faith as has been manifested by China in her cond toward this country in connection with the Korean affair.

Korea is an independent State. She was first introduc into the family of nations by the advice and under the gu ance of Japan. It has, however, been China's habit to des nate Korea as her dependency, and both openly and secret to interfere with her domestic affairs. At the time of the rece civil insurrection in Korea, China dispatched troops thithe alleging that her purpose was to afford succor to her depen ent State. We, in virtue of the treaty concluded with Korea 1882, and looking to possible emergencies, caused a militar force to be sent to that country. Wishing to procure for Kore freedom from the calamity of perpetual disturbance, an thereby to maintain the peace of the East in general, Japa invited China's coöperation for the accomplishment of tha object. But China, advancing various pretexts, declined Japan's proposal.

Thereupon Japan advised Korea to reform her administra tion so that order and tranquillity might be preserved at home, and so that the country might be able to discharge the responsibilities and duties of an independent State abroad. Korea has already consented to undertake the task, but China has secretly and insidiously endeavored to circumvent and thwart Japan's purpose. She has further procrastinated, and endeavored to make warlike preparations both on land and at sea. When those preparations were completed she not only sent large reënforcements to Korea. with a view to the forcible