Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 August 1903 — A Japanese Lecturer. [ARTICLE]

A Japanese Lecturer.

Naotaro Otsnka, a Japanese, preaohed Sunday morning at the Christian oburoh, and lectured there in the evening, on Japan as it was and is. His lecture was very interesting and full of instruction. John O’Conner, of Kniman, was among his most interested auditors, for John was in and aronnd Japan, on a U. S. wax vessel, during the most interesting events in Japan’s history, which was related by Mr. Otsnka. This event was the oivil war there in and about 1868, when the rule of the ‘T ycoon” was broken, and the Mikado, or hereditary emperor, became full ruler, and a constitional and progressive government was established. The overthrown ruling tycoon took shelter on John’s ship. Mr. JJteuka was very en-. j'thasiastio in recounting the love j and affection Japan has for the [United States, for their friendship in years gone by, and which friendship not only started Japan on its march of progress and civilization, but which no doubt, prevented the seizure and division of that oountry by the big powers of Europe.