The Japan Society was organized in New York ten years back. Its declared purpose is "the promotion of friendly relations between the United States and Japan and the diffusion among the American people of a more accurate knowledge of the Island Kingdom, its aims, ideals, arts, sciences, industries and economic conditions." The present membership of the Society comprises about nine hundred Americans and one hundred Japanese.

In 1911 an Advisory Council was formed in Tokio, with Baron Shibusawa as Chairman, to cooperate with the parent organization.

The headquarters of the Society is at 165 Broadway, New York City.

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THIS series of essays was inspired by a Message of like spirit and purpose from Japan to the United States, admirably edited by Naoichi Masaoka, which was published in March, 1914, in Tokyo, and later in New York under the auspices of the Japan Society. The two books constitute an interchange of thought and information between leading minds of both countries, unique in international intercourse; they indicate the points upon which the East and West can meet. They should help to remove misunderstanding and to ensure the continuance and development of a mutual and friendly public sentiment.

In the papers constituting the Message of America, some of the contributors have not confined themselves solely to interpreting America to Japan, but have indicated points of view common to many Americans regarding Japan, and have also emphasized the steady progress in international relations. As the book is to be widely circulated and read in the United States as well as in Japan, all that is said should be of service for the information and education of public opinion on both sides of the Pacific.

LINDSAY RUSSELL,

NEW YORK,

March 1, 1915.

A

Editor.

For mankind are one in spirit, and an instinct bears along, Round the earth's electric circle, the swift flash of right or wrong; Whether conscious or unconscious, yet Humanity's vast frame, Through its ocean-sundered fibres, feels the gush of joy or shame;— In the gain or loss of one race, all the rest have equal claim.

LOWELL, Present Crisis.