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Department in the College proper for the benefit of 

 the Colonial Militia, which had its headquarters in 

 Sapporo. The other was a considerable addition to 

 College land, as a tract of some 3273 acres was re- 

 served for its use out of the Government forest in 

 Yubari. 



While the College had been thus advancing step 

 by step toward perfection from which, let it be 

 observed, it is still afar off large forces were at 

 work, which might one day impede its steady pro- 

 gress. Whatever the new Imperial Parliament, 

 which was to meet for the first time in 1890, might 

 or might not do, this much, it had been expected 

 and feared, it would not fail to contend, namely, the 

 reduction in taxes. Its policy was in brief : If any 

 Government Institution can be dispensed with, let 

 it go ; if not, let its expenses at least be cut down. 

 Foreseeing this possible attack on all the state in- 

 stitutions of the country, a company of the College 

 alumni met to discuss the ways and means, whereby 

 to mitigate or if possible to avert such action against 

 their own alma mater. "We believe," so runs the 

 resolution in substance, "that our alma mater is an 

 institution essential not only for the Hokkaido but 

 for Japan at large, filling a unique position in the 

 educational system of the Empire. It stands for 

 the upholding of higher 'technical and practical edu- 

 cation. It aims to train men for developing the 

 physical resources of the country. In an age like 

 this, when people only talk, and politics and law 

 engross the attention of the rising generation, in a 

 land like this (meaning the Hokkaido), which hides 

 within its bosom inexhaustible treasures, technical 



