+
294
J. + the native Japanese has not lost his natural picturesqueness, which even in the large towns, under the depressing influence of frock-coats and patent leather shoes, still finds an opportunity of displaying itself.
Perhaps the most striking fenture in the Japanese system, to a stranger at least, is the ubiquity of the policeman; and it might naturally be supposed that the country is police-ridden. Such, however on more intimate knowledge proves bardly to be the case. The policeman in fact in Japan serves many other purposes than keeping the peace. He is indeed the collector of statistics in general, an occupation dearly treasured at all times by the Japanese. One of the most noticeable customs to the early voyagers was the system of reporting every particular adopted by the Japanese officials who came on board, always attended by their secretaries and notaries; and at the present day this role has passed to the policeman, who is bound for the edification of his superiors to recall every incident, however trivial, that occurs within his knowledge from day to day. It is little to be wondered at then that according to the most recent account-that for 1898--the number of police in the empire should have amounted to no less than 34,000, or one to every 1,360 of the population. Notwithstanding the ubiquity of the police- man he does not appear to interfere, in any objectionable way with the private concerns of the people, who, except that they now and then sigh for the old days when taxa. tion was almost absent, are allowed to carry on business with the slightest of interfer- ence and are not meddled with in their opinions, provided they do not contravene the laws. The policeman on the contrary seems to be generally looked up to with respect, and certainly inspires no ill will. Beyond requiring the 1. P address and nationality of every foreign traveller at each stopping place, the policeman is now very little in evidence with the tourist, who may besides always look to him for advice or assistance should he ever require it.
How carefully statistics of all sorts are by these means collected in Japan is illustrated by the annual Résumé Štatisti- que which has for the last fifteen years been published by the Japanese Governinent. and which gives the most intimate details of the vital statistics of the Empire. The area then of Japan and its dependencies was in 1898 7,430 sq. ri-say 45,000 sq. miles-and the population 465 millions, or an average of 286 per square mile. Of the larger islands Shikok had a density of 425 per square mile, while the main island of Niphon only supported 375; this is of course mainly due to the large tracts in the latter island rising to an altitude of over 3,000 feet, where profitable cultivation is out of the question, and the land is either prairie or forest, and practically uninhabited. Of the island proper the population; in 1889 forty millions, had in 1898 grown to forty-three and three quarters, an increase of upwards of nine per cent. Of this population the most minute particulars are given; there are 3,845 nobles or of noble. family,1,666,000 samurai, and 33 millions of the ordinary people. The family throughout averages 5.35 individuals, but the usual phenomenon of the proportions of the sexes is reversed, the males exceeding the females by about 21 per cent. The birth rate has been gradually increasing from 29.3 per thousand in 1893 to 31.3 in 1898, the number of deaths on the other hand decreas-, ing from 22.8 to 20.4 in the same period; nearly 8 per cent. of the births were still born. Divorce is easily obtained in Japan, оп an average about one fourth of the
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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[October 7, 1901.
marriages being dissolved by mutual con- \ profitable. The native authorities appear sent or otherwise; as the lady enjoys much to be acting with promptitude, as the case consideration in Japan, and more frequently demands, and doubtless if foreign gunboats than not is the "business man" of the family, can be of assistance they will be ready when
may be assumed that facility results in no required. hardship, and judging from the general In many ways the subject of dissensions happiness of Japanese homes is really con
between Chinese converts to Christianity ducive to a good understanding. Of Japa- belonging to different churches and sects is nese abroad known and officia ly registered of more importance that such an affair as there were in 1898 some 99,000, besides that at 'Piang-thong. As long as there some 2,000 in Australia and Java, of whom continue to be disputes, often ending in accurate account could not be kept; on the fights, between Romanist and non-Romanist other hand there were 11,700 foreigners proselytes so long will the political side of resident in Japan, of whom, however, more mission work in China overshadow the than half were Chinese; of the rest 1,954 educational. Unless the various schools of English. and 1.282 Americans formed the religious thought who devote some of their most numerous elements. Of the aborigin: juergy to the attempt to convert the Chinese Anos in the island of Yezo it is interesting can discover a modus vivendi and loyally to note an increase from a little over 15,000 | abide by it, there is little hope of peace in in 1891, to 17,000 in 1898, and that is the districts of the Empire which are confirmed by a record of 549 births as accessible to the missionary. The state against 448 deaths in the latter year.
of affairs which makes Christianity oply another cause of internal disturbance in China reflects no credit on the teachers. Apparently it is too much to hope that an arrangement will be come to between the beads of the various churches and sects, though why this should be so we cannot see. The matter is one well worth the most careful consideration of the bishops and leading men of societies engaged in Chinese mission-work; indeed it is more than this, it is a matter which absolutely demands attention. Last year's persecutions pro- duced a semblance of unity among the proselytisers and converts of various deno- FRESH MISSIONARY TROUBLES.minations. Now once again there appears
Statistics of Agriculture and Industry, of Commerce, foreign and native. Posts and Telegraphs, of Education and Religions, of Public Health and Police, and finally of Finance, fill up this wonderful volume, which contains within a compass of 150 pages a résumé of the entire life of this most interesting of nations. To some of the latter topics, amongst others the growth and distribution of Foreign Trade, which has made marked progress during the last ten years, we propose to return in an early
issue.
(Daily Press, 3rd October.)
to be a spirit of rivalry, more bitter than commercial competition, which apparently no influence succeeds in restraining. This promises to be one of the most disquieting elements in the future of China.
FRENCH ACTIVITY IN SOUTH CHINA.
(Daily Press, 4th October.) We reported last week that the French Government was purchasing one of the Macao hotels for use as a hospital. We now learn that the agreement for the trans- fer of the hotel in question-the well known Boa Vista "--has been settled and that
情感
We
The outward signs of the restoration of peace after last year's troubles are not yet complete when. from several parts of the Empire, we are already getting intelligence of the outbreak of missionary troubles. In Northern Kwangtung rebels, reported to belong to the Triad Society, have burat down a German mission-station. From Mid-China during the past few weeks, news of dissensions between the Romau and other converts has reached Hongkong by way of Shanghai. It is plain that the lessons of last year, which were hoped to be going to teach so much, have not yet been learnt. With regard to the Piang-thong distur- bauces, of which we gave all available M. C. HARDOUIN, French Consul at Canton, details yesterday, the assailants of the has purchased the hotel property on behalf Mission are said to be m mbers of the of the Governor-General of Indo-China, who a sanitarium for Triad Society. In the Triad rising in the intends to use it as Waichow neighbourhood last year, it will the navy and Indo-Chinese officials. be remembered that the rebels were con- believe that the price at which the transac- spicuous for their abstention from outrages tion took place was $75,000. As is well- against foreigners, and indeed their profes- known, the French Government has long sions were most friendly. From this it desired a sanitarium in this part of the might be considered improbable that the world and seems to have be unable to find Triads have any connection with the attack a suitable place in Indo-China. The acqui- But so wide are sition of the Boa Vista property may be on the Basel Mission. the ramifications of the Society throughout looked on as a piece of enterprise, such as South China that it includes in its ranks would emanate from the fertile brain of the greatest variety of people. A corres. M. DOUMER, and fits in well with his pondent writing to us last year on behalf of schees of building up French influence in As we have said before, the Triad rebels in Kwangtung, protested Southern China.
we believe that two other governments had against any general condemnation of the Society, qn the ground that so large a body also a chance of acquiring the property, but must contain many black sheep, by whom did not rise to the occasion. The purchase was not effected without some difficulty, for it is unfair to judge the other members. As was stated by the Rev. Mr. EBERT to when publicity was recently given to the a representative of this paper on Tu sday, transaction the Portuguese authorities at the leaders of the rebels are outlaws, who Macao declined to ratify the transfer, and the are as safe in rebellion as otherwise. The matter was referred to Lisbon. Apart from extent of the forces at their command is not the loss to local residents, who will be ascertained, but it is estimated at three or deprived of one of their favourite Saturday four thousand. If this is so, the 1,600 to Monday resorts, the position of Hong- Chinese troops sent against them from Chowchowfu and Waichow can hardly be | adequate if the rebels are armed as well as they were last year. However, details are not sufficiently ample to make speculation
kong is not much affected by the transfer. But it may be looked on as a token of French energy in this neighbourhood, well in keep- ing with their recent activity in Cauton, of which reports have been constantly coming
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