the new Imperial Government wisely began to ex- 

 tend its fostering care. A colonial office, entrusted 

 with the work of developing the resources of the 

 Islands (thereafter, i.e. from the 23rd of August, 1869, 

 denominated the Hokkaido) and of defending them 

 against possible attack from a foreign power, was 

 organized on the 16th day of August, 1869, under 

 the name " Kaitakushi." Appointed Vice-Governor 

 in the summer of 1870, General Kiyotaka Kuroda, 

 now Count and Minister of Communications, soon 

 proved himself the de facto governor. He was 

 charged with the task of setting the new office in 

 motion. A man of great insight and of indomitable 

 will, be betook himself to the work with character- 

 istic zeal and earnestness. Two mouths after his 

 appointment, in his reply to His Imperial Majesty's 

 question as to his colonial policy, he dwelt upon 

 education as a most potent factor in advancing the 

 interests of the Hokkaido. Again three months 

 later, he dwelt elaborately and emphatically upon 

 the same theme, and prevailed upon the Govern- 

 ment to send abroad some young men, in order that 

 they might be prepared for the undertaking of civil 

 service and pioneering labor. He saw that the fertile 



I virgin soil could be made to yield its richest treasures 

 only under wise management. But where should he 

 seek for wisdom ? Japan had long since forgotten 

 the art of breaking up new land ; her agricultural 

 system was too intensive to be applied to a newly- 

 opened country ; her mining operations were too 



^"primitive to be followed on an extensive scale. In 

 General Kuroda's mind there was one source whence 

 he could expect wisdom and knowledge pertaining to 



