Captain F. Brinkley

“ The Imperial Government, therefore, having regard to the future well-being of the Empire, deemed it necessary for consolidating the peace of the Extreme East and for securing the rights and interests of the Empire to open, as soon as possible, negotiations with Russia with a view to a friendly definition of the interests of the two countries in Manchuria and Corea where those interests meet, and thereby to remove every cause of future conflict between Japan and Russia. ”

“ Especially towards the end of January the warlike activities of Russia were so far accelerated that, had Japan permitted any further procrastination, the Empire would certainly have been placed in serious danger. Although the Imperial Government entertained a most sincere desire for peace, yet in the face of such circumstances they could not avoid deciding, after a full and careful survey of the situation, to break off the negotiations with Russia and to take all necessary measures for self-defence. ”

“ According to his experience of 40 years in the Foreign Office, negotiations of an international character had always been conducted on the proposals of one Power together with the reply of the other, and it was not usual to accept the proposition of one Power as the sole basis of negotiations. ”

“ Recognition by Japan of Manchuria and her littoral as being outside her sphere of interests, whilst Russia, within the limits of that province, will not impede Japan, nor other Powers in the enjoyment of rights and privileges acquired by them under existing treaties with China, exclusive of the establishment of settlements. ”

“ The Imperial Government, however, not only from the consideration that the progress of the negotiations would be facilitated by conducting them at the Russian capital, but also in view of the changes effected in the Russian administrative organization in Manchuria and the erection of a viceroyalty of the Far East, apprehended that the transfer of the seat of negotiations to Tokio would not conduce to a satisfactory understanding. ”

“ It results that in fields where their capacity is highest, their success is often smallest. They export some two millions of umbrellas at a cost of 10 1/2d. apiece; thirty thousand pairs of boots at 11 1/4d. a pair, and a hundred and ninety thousand dozen pairs of socks at 1s. 3d. a dozen. There can be no mistake about the shape and style of these things: a pattern alone suffices for guide. But, on the other hand, take the case of lacquer. In the quality and beauty of their lacquer the Japanese stand easily at the head of all nations. There, if anywhere, they should be able to defy rivalry. ”

“ In reference to your telegram of 26th instant, you will see Count Lamsdorff at an early opportunity and say to him that you have been authorized to deny positively the statement that Japan has sent to Corea a considerable number of troops, munitions, and war materials. As a matter of fact, no troops have recently been sent to Corea nor any ammunitions have been sent beyond the amount required for the ordinary use of the Japanese troops stationed in Corea. ”

“ For instance, the imposition of any restriction on Japan in sending troops to Corea should be struck out. A neutral zone, if it was to be created, should be established on both sides of the boundary line between Manchuria and Corea with the same extent either way—i.e., fifty kilometres on each side. ”

“ It should be further remarked that the suppression of the clause excluding the establishment of settlements in Manchuria is desired because it conflicts with stipulations of the new Commercial Treaty between Japan and China. In this respect, however, Japan will be satisfied if she receives equal treatment with another Power which has already acquired similar rights in regard to settlements in Manchuria. ”

“ All such defects would soon be corrected if free recourse were had to the assistance of foreign experts, who have the advantage of familiarity with higher standards. It is unfortunate that a people so liberal in their adoption of the best products of Western civilisation, should hesitate to avail themselves of the best means of learning to utilise them.
Note 67.—Another serious obstacle to the industrial development of the Japanese is their difficulty in deciphering foreign tastes. ”

“ The output of the various mines increases steadily, it is true, but its total annual value does not exceed three millions sterling. Recently gold has been discovered in seemingly large quantities in Hokkaido and kerosene in Echigo as well as Hokkaido. The practical value of these discoveries remains to be determined.
Note 64.—The Japanese have been skilled weavers for many centuries, but a great impetus was given to this enterprise by the introduction of improved machinery and the use of aniline dyes after the opening of the country to foreign intercourse. ”

“ The Japanese police cannot enter any private house without a warrant, and the possibilities of playing cards at social réunions without interruption are quite as large in Japan as in Europe or America. ”

“ The practice was introduced into Japan at the beginning of the ninth century, and etiquette soon elaborated the ceremonial by prescribing a special kind of saké for each of the first three days of the year,—toso, biyakusan, and toshosan. It is de rigueur that the youngest of a party should be the first to drink the spiced saké. ”

“ Japanese lacquer experts, in their attempts to capture the New York market, have been distanced by Germans, who gauge the taste of the Americans with much greater accuracy, and produce lacquers better appreciated and cheaper than those of the Japanese themselves,—not finer lacquer indeed, nor nearly so fine, but better suited to the immediate purpose of its manufacturers. ”

“ Though Russia is willing to make every possible concession, she does not desire to see Corea utilized for strategic purposes against Russia, and believes it useful for the consolidation of good relations with Japan to establish by common accord a buffer region between confines of direct influence and action of the two countries in the Far East. The above is expressed entirely as his personal opinion, and I cannot say whether the same is the substance of the above-mentioned answer, though it seems to be very probable.
No. 51.Mr. Kurino to Baron Komura
Petersburg, February 6th, 1904.5.57p.m. ”

“ Note 9.—The popularity of kite-flying in Japan is indirectly attested by the ordinary manner of estimating the strength of twine. "One-sheet twine" (ichi-mai ito) means twine capable of holding a one-sheet kite; "two-sheet twine" (ni-mai ito) , twine capable of holding a two-sheet kite, and so on. There is, consequently, no three-sheet twine, or five-sheet twine, etc., because kites, being square or rectangular, cannot be constructed with three, five, seven, eleven, etc. ”

“ Count Lamsdorff answered that the objection relates to the form rather than the substance of the proposal. In Manchuria other Powers also have rights and interests, and Russia cannot enter into special arrangement with each of those Powers regarding Manchuria. ”

“ Further, under the heading, "captured," only vessels taken in fight are shown, not those subsequently raised and added to the Japanese navy. The broad result is very striking; out of a total of 83 ships, with a displacement of 410,224 tons, sent by Russia into the war zone, only ten, with a displacement of 63,636 tons, remain in her fighting line. She has lost 73, representing 346,588 tons.
If a similar table is compiled for the Japanese navy the result is as follows:
From this table, also, torpedo boats, special service steamers and converted cruisers are omitted. ”

“ In the beginning of the present century the custom was extended to Tōkyō, where it is widely observed up to the present time. The wooden uso is carved from the sacred sakaki (Cleyera japonica) .
Note 17.—Agents (keiwan) for the hire of domestic servants constitute a numerous and, for the most part, an unscrupulous class. Their occupation includes also letting and selling of houses and lands, but recourse to their services is avoided as much as possible by respectable folks. ”

“ He may give a koshaku at two or even three yose daily, and he is often invited to social réunions, when his guerdon varies from a dollar and a half to four or even five dollars. But there are not more than ten masters in all Japan whose reputation secures lucrative private patronage. ”

“ There is an almost endless variety of methods, and the graceful dexterity displayed by experts is most charming.
Note 24.—Sprays of the sweet flag that have thus been exposed are believed to imbibe the medicinal dew of heaven, and are consequently placed in family baths for the invigoration of bathers.
Note 25.—The feet are little seen in Japanese dancing: their action is subordinate. ”

“ Indigo has always been the staple dye stuff of the country. Twenty million yen worth is produced annually. But for colours other than blue and its various tones, aniline dyes are now imported to the extent of one and a fourth million yen yearly. ”

“ Article IV.Recognition of the right of Japan to send troops to Corea for the purpose mentioned in the preceding Article or for the purpose of suppressing insurrection or disorder calculated to create international complications. ”

“ Russia and Korea, 65, 74; friendship with Great Britain, 66, 75; attitude in the Boxer insurrection, 67–69; Russia and Manchuria, 73; friendship with United States, 75. See also China, Chinese war, Christianity, Korea, Trade (foreign) . ”

“ They employ 330,706 boats and 1,194,408 nets, representing a capital of about three millions sterling, and the total value of the annual catch is put at five millions sterling, though ten millions would probably be nearer the truth. The fishermen are sturdy, courageous fellows, but their methods are primitive and virtually no improvements have yet been introduced. ”

“ Count Lamsdorff told me he did not see the Emperor November 25th, on account of the sickness of the Empress. Interior inflammation of her right ear has necessitated an operation. He said that he immediately despatched to the Emperor my note mentioned in my telegram of November 22nd.
No. 30.Baron Komura to Mr. Kurino
(Telegram.) ”

“ Shobutsu, Buddhist priest, musical reciter, iii 19. Shōgun, origin of office, ii. 8; succession restricted to branches of Minamoto family, 37; progresses, 115, iv. 172; succession houses, iii. 137, 153, iv. 8; income, 10; castle, 12; cabinet and other officials, 28–32, 42, 44; household, 33–40; daily life, 41–45; guards, 45. See also Government (Military epoch, Tokugawa epoch) . Shōmu, emperor, zeal for Buddhism, i. ”

“ Area of Japan, i. 247. Aristocracy, office-holding, ancient hereditary, i. 51; divine origin, 51; power of patriarchal families, 86, 100; their overthrow, 101, 110; grades and costumes, 107, 108, 141–143, 209, ii. 91, 92; land and rank, 116; freedom from taxation, 118, 170, ii. 125; rebirth of hereditary, i. 158, 161, 167, 168; acquisition of great estates, 161; imperial hereditary, during Tokugawa shogunate, iv. 5; Tokugawa shogunate hereditary, 8, 28, 33, 35. See also Court, Nobility. Arisugawa, Prince, foreign policy, iii. 215. Arisugawa, princely family, hereditary privileges, iv. 5. ”