Hawaii holomua = Progress. [volume] (Honolulu) 1893-1895, 1894-11-20
The ORIENTAL WAR.
By His Excellency.
The Japanese Minister
At Washington
S. KURINo.
From The North American Review
(coatinusd.)

The success that has thus fal
crowned the arms of Japan, fol
example, has been attributed to
the warlike spirit of her people
In q measure this correct, but to
a greater extent Japan's success
is due TO laborious and patient adj
hereuce to systematic plan OF
military organization as compo-
nent. but by no means the prin-
cipal, part Of the general scheme
of national development and pro-
gress. The ancient samurai Of
japan were conspicuous for their
bravery and warlike accomplish
ments, but they didnotby anymeans
come from the bulk OF the na tion
and many, perhaps the majority
of those who are now serving in
the army ard navy Of Japan are
from that part of the population
which under the ancient feudal
regime. wherein the rig is and
duties of all classes were minute
" observed, did not even have
the privilege of bearing arms.
China. on the other hand, has
men and ships and abundant re-
sources, and no one can truthful
ly accuse her people of cowardice.
The history of Gordon alone
would be sufficient refutation of
such a charge, for it proves con-
clusively that even although their
system of ethics may render the
Chinese averse to the profession
of arms, that system can on occa-
sion be laid side with very ex-
celent results. And moreover,
tif recent events have shown China
has now ventured upon war with
soldiers badly armed, poorly drill
ed and i'll pr,visioned, it is not
because there has not been an
ample show If preparation for war
in China within the past few
years. The figures are not at
hand, and it would doubtless be
impossible to obtain them, but l
am certain that | do not err when
I state that China for many years
has spent far more money than
Japan upon her army and her
navy. Nevertheless, under the
system which prevails in China in
all branches of the public service,
such expenditures apparently count
for little in time of real need.
With form of government which
even the invading conqueror was
forced to adopt; with code of
morals which has Ibesn esteemed
worthy of the highest commenda-
ton; and certainly with no lack of
natural intelligence or executive
ability, China finds that these
avail her nothing, because of the
corruption which has permeated
every portion of the body-politic.
1t may perhaps be thought by
some to be in bad taste to thus
crit.cise ones enemy. But 1 can
sincerely disclaim any thought of
a pretence to superiority over
those whose motives and actions l
am attempting to analyze. The
facts | recits are patent to all the
lesson they teach has an important
bearing not alone upon the present
struggle. but also upon the events
which led to it. 1t shows us that
China. with all her warlike pre-
parations and with all the power
and prestige which her immense
population and her great riches
give her. is not capable of ade-
quately defending herself against
an enemy numerically much weak
or than herself and not possessing
a little of her wealth. Yet this is
the government which assumed to |
control the destinies of the Korean |
kingdom, to guard it against ag- |
gression. and to protect it in the |
paths of peace and prosperity. If |
China can do so little for herself |
in her own hours of need. if the |
faults Of her rue become so glar-
ingly apparent at the first touch
VI adversely, what, We may ask, |
could she do for her whl,om pro-
tegs, aimlessly yet earnestly striv-
ing for better things. save to
check every aspiration for i'm
provement to perpetuate every an
cient evil. and finally TO surrender
The poor victim, sheep ready for
the shearer, to the first conner
strong enough to enforce his de.
nandi
There is another phase of the
Tsr between japan and China up
IN which q certain amount of
'tress has been laid. 1t has been
PREDICTED that although Japan
night at first be victorious
;hina's boarded wealth and tenn
ng millions would in the end | !
verwLelm her adversary. It is
'ot given to every man to be .
rophet, or the son Of prophet,
nd var il nnf : aaka ...isx