INCIDENT WHICH LED TO THE OPENING UP OF JAPAN.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 30 October 1914, Page 2

INCIDENT WHICH LED TO THE OPENING UP OF JAPAN.

Half a century ago the Samaura; of Japan—warriors not only by profession, but by race and traditionswaggered through the streets with their two-handed swords, "spoiling for a .fight," like I lie Irishman at Donnybrook Fair. The slightest jostle, the most trifling insult (real or supposed), and their razor-koon blades were bared, and used with merciless skill and terrible effect. They were no mere weapons of parade. Shimazu Saburo, guardian of the young Daimio (lord) of Satsuina, the proudest of the old houses of old Japan, was swinging along the great Tokaido road of Sumaurai swashbucklers, on September 1.4, 1862, when Mr. C. L. Richardson, an English merchant long established at Shanghai, rode up with his party. He was advised to dismount and salute. He declined, and failing to realise how wide a gulf separated the Sumaurai from his cringing Chinese, made the unfortunate remark : "Let mo alone. I have lived fourteen years in China, and know how to manage these people." Immediately the Sumaurai made a furious onslaught on the supposed insulters of them and their feudal lord. Richardson was cut down, several of his companions badly wounded, and a lady who was with I>hem had a narrow escape. The incident naturally aroused British indignation, and an indemnity of £100,000 was claimed and the murderers demanded. The 'Daimio of Satsurna refusing to pay his share £25,000) 7 his town was bombarded and his ships sunk by British warships. He paid in the end. This was the first act in the drama which ended in the opening up of Japan. ; "RIDING HIS HEAT) OFF." Speed-madness was responsible for the greatest tragedy so far in the history of motor-cycling. ' The disaster occurred at Newark Motort drome, New Jersey, on September flO, 1912. .During a race taken ■part in by Eddie Albright, known as "Cyclone Eddie," and John Albright, both of whom were wellknown motor-cycle record makers,

the former lost control of his ma- j chine, which cut a deadly path ! through the spectators, killing seven and injuring- over a score others. The disaster was the result of an attempt on , the part of Hasha to pass Albright. Hasha, who was going at a speed of ninety-two miles an hour, was temporarily blitided by the rush of air, and when at the top of 'the curve did not see how close he was to the edge. Suddenly the machine leaped the slight barrier and dashed among the spectators. Hasha was hurled from his saddle and fell immediately in front of the seat which his wife, horror-stricken at the speed, had a moment before vacated. lie was instantly killed. The motorcycle rolled down the track directly in the path of Albright, who, oblivious of llasha's fate, was continuing the race. The cycles met with .a terrific crash, and Albright shot over his handlebars and fell unconscious on the track 80ft. away lie died on the way to the hospital. It appears that before the disaster Hasha had been unfortunate in some contests, and just before the fatal race started he smilingly remarked, "I'll win this race, if I have to ride my head off !" TURKEY'S FIRST SEVERE BLOW The recent war between Turkey and the Balkan States reminds the thoughtful student of history that in 3 683 their obstinacy and splendid fighting nearly placed Austria in their hands. The Hungarians, threatened with a loss of some of their privileges by their Sovereign—the Emperor Leopold—had revolted against him, and called the Turks to their aid. An Ottoman army—about two hundred thousand strong—augmented by a small body of Hungarian troops, advanced into Austria, and sweeping all before them, laid siege to Vienna, and all Europe anxiously awaited the issue. Few persons doubted that the Turks would be successful ; but hesitancy on the part of the Grand Vizier enabled the King of Poland John Sobieski —to bring- up an army, and on September 12, afte" a sharp battle, the Turks—discouraged by their commander's apparent carelessness—retreated precipitately, leaving behind them the Grand Standard- of the Prophet, I which was sent by the Polish King to the Pope. This was the first severe blow received by the Turks since they had commenced to oxerrun Europe in the fourteenth century. Now, two hundred and thirty i years later, they have only a few j miles of territory left in Europe.