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find himself, when also the necessaries of life rose in price, in consequence of the 

 increased population, while at the same time the means of procuring the same 

 were taken away from him, or at all events reduced through the presence of his 

 preferred rivals. In the face of these circumstances, it is not to be wondered at, 

 that the government recoils from admitting foreigners and opening the interior 

 of the country as a means for promoting the mining industry. 



The case would be otherwise, if foreign capital were allowed to be invested 

 in mining enterprises, perhaps under some such conditions as proposed by Mr. 

 Lyman for Yesso ("a general Eeport on the geology of Yesso," by E. S. Lyman, 

 1877.) That the government with the most paiustaking scrupulosity tries to 

 prevent this also, is probably due to the circumstance, that it in this manner 

 wants to put a stop to every attempt made by foreigners to get a foothold in 

 the interior, and to avoid the risk of disputes and lawsuits. We will therefore 

 in the following considerations renounce on all assistance from foreign capital, 

 and examine in what directions reforms might still be introduced. 



In the first place it is requisite, that care be taken to create a staff of able 

 officers and workmen. 



With regard to the technical education of future officers, the Government is 

 alive to its duty, and has with this object established well provided classes for 

 mining and metallurgy in the Tokio Daigaku as well as in the Kobu Daigalm. 

 But those officers also, who are already employed in practical service, might 

 obtain a certain instruction by attending a brief course of studies arranged in 

 Tokio for their special benefit. Even if it would scarcely come within the plan 

 of such a course of studies to enable these students on their own hand to establish 

 thoroughly modern works, a great deal would already be gained, if they were 

 taught to appreciate the usefulness, nay the necessity of such reorganisations, 

 both in great and in small things, and if they would therefore kindly assist the 

 young men of the new era with their own long experience, instead of treating 

 them with mistrust. 



But the creation of a reliable staff of officers requires something more than 

 the mere technical education, be the same ever so good. In whatever country 

 it be, as long as an officer has no guarantee, that a faithful performance of his 

 duties will secure him his place in Government service, and that, when old age 

 or sickness compels him to retire from active service, the future support of him- 

 self and family will nevertheless be provided for, — so long the temptation must 

 always be there, to use his position, while ho has it, as a milk-cow, and to 

 take his work as easily as possible. To procure him that security, pension — 

 and widows' — funds, as we have them in our Government service and in large 

 private establishments, would be the most fitting means. Only then, however, 

 would such funds be able to subsist, if on the one hand arbitrary dismissals from 



