Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 July 1902 — JAPAN’S GREATEST PROMOTER. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

JAPAN’S GREATEST PROMOTER.

He Is Here, In Worth 9900,000,(KM)and Controls $700,000,000. Baron Eiiche Shibusawa of Tokio, the richest and most aggressive business man of Japan, is in this country with his fam-

ily and friends and a retinue of servants, for he travels in great style. The party has 272 trunks in which to store their belongings. Tile purpose of the baron’s visit is three-fold—to secure a rest, to look into our business methods and to cultivate friendly relations with our

people. His business ramifications are so extensive that lie is styled the I’ierpoiit Morgan of Japan and lie likes tilt' appellation. He controls the principal banks of Japan, line of railroads, several coal mines and half a dozen steamship lilies. He is a big holder in insurance, gas, electricity, silk, cotton, woolen, printing, hemp, lint, beer, sugar refining, cars and other stocks, lie is president of seventytwo companies engaged in business exploitation, every one of which is very successful. Ills possessions amount to #300.. 000,000 and lie controls properties besides amounting to $700,000,000, the aggregate rising to one billion dollars. lie is also a benefactor, lie has established schools, reformatories, orphaiiagt*s. hospitals, asylums and siiuihw institutions intended for public l>« Petit. He is the busiest man iu Japan, which now ■ontains 45.000,000 people. At a cabinet meeting held at the Elvaet* palace, President Louhet signed a decree closing the religious institutions which have not complied with the pr->-visions of the law of associations. One huudred and thirty establishments are iuvolved. Instructions on the subject were sent to the Tarious prefectures.

BARON SHIBUSAWA