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such articles as are in use among the Coreans. To Europe and America we export tea and raw silk, roughly woven and undyed or in thread, coal, copper, and some fine porcelain. The latter is, however, not very acceptable in foreign markets, and only a small art export is to be hoped for. It may come, and I hope it will, that Japan will compete with the Powers already in the field on all lines of manufactured goods, but this time must necessarily be far distant. The trouble at the present is that, while the Japanese can imitate everything, they cannot, at the present time, invent superior things. But the trade of the Oriental countries will come to be regarded as Japan’s natural share, and she is already well capable of supplying it.

The resources of Japan are very varied, and are very fair in quantity at present. Raw silk and tea are abundant, while coal is plentiful, and also copper, but silver and gold are not so much so. I hope to see our plentiful water-supply turned to good account and harnessed to produce electric energy. This would be a great saving of expense, and would cheapen the cost of production very much. Oil has been found in several districts, and will take the place of coal to a large extent; and it is possible that, if fully developed, it may be exported to the neighbouring countries. In Hokkaido we have rich coal and silver mines and oil wells, while in Formosa we have rich gold mines. The iron we use in our iron works in Kyushyu comes partly from several mines of Japan and partly from China.

My hope for the future is that foreign capital may be brought into the country, that by a successful struggle against the four Japanese peculiarities the economic position of the country may be made so secure as to leave no doubt possible in the mind of the world as to the stability of the Japanese Empire.

All the countries of Europe vie with one another in developing their own respective commercial interests. The war, not of soldiers, but of business men, is constantly being fought nowadays all over the world, and the crown of victory will rest with those nations which are successful within their commercial enterprises. The lamentable condition of our trading class will result in hampering the progress of the country. I was warmly received by the prominent men of the world, but on what grounds? The President of the United States praised Japan because of her military prowess and fine arts. Are not Germany, France, and England praising Japan up to the skies upon the same ground? If the warm reception I received abroad is based on the feeling that I came from a country known for its military exploits, I must confess that that reception is a death-blow to our hopes. Because too much militarism, I am afraid,