PC_256_Poe_1910_1911_Typescript_014

-11-

of the Empire's leading statesman and financiers, Vice-
Minster in Okuma's cabinet, etc., etc. Found him very
interesting. Then went with Ohara through Imperial Palace
Grounds, etc., seeing statues of Japanese notables, trophies
of the Russian War, etc.

Ohara is a descendent of the samuria, and is
to give me a letter of introduction to a friend in Kysoto
University who may act as a guide for me there and is, he
says, the son of a diamyo.

September 23rd.

Arranged this morning to lunch tomorrow with Viscount Kaneko
and to call Sunday on Count Okuma. Also went to Yokohama
Specie Bank to get another $50 note cashed--money simply
evaporates here. After tiffin called on Mr. Sonada, Pres-
ident of the Fifteenth Bank, and spent rest of afternoon
and evening writing an article for my paper.

September 24th.

Spent morning writing and reading and at 1:45 went to call
on Viscount Kentaro Kaneko, Privy Councillor of the Emperor
of Japan and ex-Minister of Agriculture and Commerce. A grad-
uate and an L.L.D. of Harvard and five times a visitor to
America. I found him not only cultured, thoughtful and well-
informed, but a fluent speaker of English, too. Was impressed
by the obsequiousness of the man-servant who humbly squatted
on the floor every time in addressing the Viscount.

September 25th.

Today I had the distinguished privilege of over two hours
with Count Okuma, former Prime Minister of Japan, and one