Mr. Tokiwo Yokoi's Lecture.

Last night, in Harvard 1, Mr. Tokiwo Yokoi, of New Haven, gave a lecture under the auspices of the Harvard Pedagogical Club on "The Problems of Civilization in Japan."

Mr. Yokoi said in part: Before the great war between China and Japan in 1894, the popular belief of all white people was that the yellow people were a very inferior race, who could be dealt with as they pleased. The outcome of this war has changed this opinion of supreme contempt to one of respect, and in some cases even of fear, for in some minds the fear of a great Mongolian invasion immediately arose.

The real history of Japan began in the year 285 A. D., as before that time Japan had no alphabet. The dawn of civilization took place at about the middle of the sixth century, when Buddhism was introduced into the country. This same time marks the emergence of Europe from heathenism. The introduction of Confucianism from China corresponds to the reformation and the renaissance in Europe.

For two reasons the civilization of Japan is different from that of Europe. In the first place it inherited its civilization from China and India, while Europe inherited its civilization from progressive nations; and in the second place the geographical position inane its civilization different. Japan progressed peacefully and developed a great love of nature, which is shown by the temple architecture. Geographically, Japan is to China as England is to Europe, but Japan and China have always, until lately, lived side by side in peace, while there has been continual strife between England and Europe, which has tended to advance England very swiftly. China is shut off from the rest of the world and has lived a solitary life, which does not tend to advancement. Nor have there been any great movements of peoples, as the crusades, which did so much for European civilization. While these great movements were going on in Europe, Japan lived a hermit's life and fell a century behind.

During the last quarter of a century Japan has shown a feverish desire to advance. New notions have become mingled with the old and are gradually overcoming them. There is now no danger of Japan's going back to the old civilization. There are two parties in the government, the one favoring the monarchial form and the other the republican form of government.

In Japan at this day Buddhism and Christianity have come into deadly combat and no person can predict the result. The combat is rather a friendly discussion of truths than a strife between the upholders of the two religions.