What I learned then and the insight I got
into the aims and character of Nippon, were invaluable to me. Baron
Huraki, now high in the services of the Mikado, is my friend still.
Once a year he sends me _Shuraino-Ariki_, a wonderful spray of cherry
blossoms, the Japanese symbol of rejuvenating friendship.
A Secret Service agent, although making no friends or acquaintances,
always makes it his business to converse with and study his fellow
travelers. Following my usual habit, I went out of my way to
cultivate the acquaintance of the Japanese, particularly Huraki. A
scholar of no mean attainments was the Baron.
Quietly, without being didactic, he upheld his end in most discussions
on applied sciences or philosophic arguments, putting forth his deep
knowledge in an unobtrusive way. I found this trait to be an
invariable rule with most of the Japanese with whom I came in contact.
Once or twice during our lengthy and pleasant chats I tried to veer
the subject round to the all-engrossing Eastern question, only to be
met with the maddening bland smile of the East. I was rather
inexperienced in the fathomless, undefinable ways of the Orient, but
on the _Bayern_ I learned rapidly the truths that Western methods and
strategy are absolutely useless against the impenetrable stoicism of
an Asiatic and that only personal regard and obligation on their part
will produce results.
Pages:
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51