New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-17
TWO DECLARATIONS or WAR
CONTRAST BETWEEN THE UTTERANCES
OF JAPAN AND CHINA
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TWO NATIONS
CLEARLY BROUGHT OUT IN THEM.

war Is now formally proclaimed between Japan
and China and the declarations Of their respec-
tive sOvareigns are before the world. The
japanese decree presents a brie' explanation Of
the circumstances under which hcstlies be-
came inevitable, with emphatic assurances that
III spite of a sincere desire to maintain peaceful
relations the provoca lions persstently offered
by the continental power compelled the island
| Empire take up arms. The argument might
! have been much more extended and put In more
! fOrcble terms without eXhdustinG the subject
! or conveying full idea of the injuries which
Japan believes she has suffered: but II may be
! doubted whether any representation Of the sort
! was really essential Western nations will
heardly need the avOwal o. moderate and pru-
! dent intentions 10 convince them that Japan
| would not lightly abandon her steady course Of
| material progress invite the desperate hazards
! of except under necessity equivalent 70
| compusion, while the people OF this country are
so thoroughly familiar with the causes Of the
| quarrel and confident of the justice Of Their
position that the recital Of their grievances is
! supcrfluous so far as they concerned. For
the rest the imperial rescrlpi merely commands
the heads of the army and navy to perform
their duties diligently. and expresses the hope
| that "by the loyalty and va.or Of our faithful
| subjects peace may soon be restored and the
| glory of the empire augmented" The document
| is calm and firm in Tone and entirely free from
! exaggerated pretensions. The English transa-
! ton given Odt appears to fail in reproducing the
dignfed spirit in which I is conceived. and
might. with due care. have been made smoother
and more refined in style. This, however. is the
! fault of most English versions OF State papers
sent forth from the government offices. The
value of pure rhetorical leas; in transa tons
Is very imperfectly understood
Turning to the Chinese annuncaton. We ind
the characteristics of that nation demonstrated
to q degree that would be amusing II the sub
ject treated were no. Of SO grave a nature. The
| arrogance and conceit Of the governing body at
Picking are conspicuous In every phrase. That
the truths of history entitled to a decent
measure of respect seems never to have occurred
to the authors OF this remaI bic production
! All the incidents leading up to the final out
! break are distorted in China's favor. when II Is
| possible 50 10 pervert them. ana when their
! tendency is such that Nc amount Of false color
ing could make them seryiocable they are sup
pressed altogether But thu blemishes which
will go farthest to deprive the declaration Of re
spect are the insOonce with which 1t rails and
SCOTS at the adversary. and its bombastir as
sumption Of invnciblc superiority. The mere
designation which 1t applies 10 the japanese il
sufficient To- cover 1t with disgrace They are
| invariably called "Wo-jen"-a term which is
commonly taken to mean 'pignies," but which,
as now employed may be more accurately rem
| dcred 'vermin." 1t has long been the faNor!te
ep!thet Of the Chinese in speaking Of their Island
ncighbors. but to insert II over and again In an
| imperial edic. Is Grosser departur" from pro
priety than even the magnates Of the Middle
| Kingdom supposed capable Il. Phrases
| like the following, as surely curses. twill
come home to roost:" 1T found d fcult
to reason with the vermin." The vermin have
broken all the laws Of nations and treaties.
| Eve command l.! Hung Chang To hasten with
all speed to root the vermn out OF their LARS
But If the japanese are vermin. the Chinese 're
| little lower than the angels We make II
| known to mankind :hat we have always FOL
lowed the paths of philanthropy ana perfect JUS
tico" Chira has done nothing that * not ad-
| mirablv consistent with broad humanity ana u
pattern 1 regard for the little kingdom On the
| peninsula while pan is ''rurnii rain?apt WIN
her false and treacheruus actions, ana lay ing
herself open 10 condemnation Dy ue various
Powers at large"
world might BE- left 10 declare Itself from ,n'Sr
two declarations Of war. Certainly nothing
could better illustrate the different spirit win
which each party enters upon tho contest. reg
haps the most striking contrast Is i"und IN 'h'
words addressed 10 the commanders Ca IN" lpr'"9'
| The japanese Emperor orders them IN oh"1l-
| ence to our wish. and with Vie" - the attain
ment OF the National aim, 10 AIRY Oh H"N'i''-
ties by sea and land with all the means at th'lI
disposal consistently with the law ~ nations
| and expresses the earnest wish that 10y the
LOYALTY and valor Of our faithful subjects peace
may soon be perma nently restored Inc 'nl-
nese Emperor calls upon his officers 70 root IN"
vermin out Of their lairs'. - hT" on the '"i
min ships if they come into our ports ana VI
terlv destroy them; and 20 reiraln from "nt
least layity In chewing our commands IN ordrr 10
avoid severe punishment at our hands. ms
final behest tells story which all VINO run may
| comne,ency and unmanlineSs which distinguish
tbe Chinese armies in the field Not word OF
announcement for duties well PERFORMED -N''
a sign of confidence in the leaders OF inc troops.
only threat Of punishment IN cas- tnt i'a n,,
,oxit," &c shown What wonder that with such
- rrGsnect before them both soldiers ana sailors
fail al the critical hour? If they run away
thev b2yc at least chance for their hVes, D"'
q they fight and are beaten they must IAN pe,
fore the wrath OF their august master II ana
tho virtue Of the subjurctive particle was never
more severely tested than In THIS instance,
they succeed In checking the aaNa"3e W M ~.
| 1eath from the wounds they may receive Iof
| no surgeons accompany the Ceirsual "a'siy ~
rbep ,hey go forth to battle. That Is io'iH
| ard weakness which may be suitable 10 NcriliI
| %s,,ncts ~ tho Wo-ten, but the fne robust oid
| ni,.iiization of China mocks at such puerln'i'S
| A few officers Of rank and wealth. are attehuso
BY their private medical auN,sels, D"o ~ bo,a'
masses If once struck down. there is no hopt
| 49,. 90, that Of carrying with them TO the grave
| Inc belief that their efforts are apPrecId'eu. VI
tbeir fate commseratcd by the master LOT Wlio'
they die The whole system o,, Is r. Huns
| chang the foremost subject ~ the EMPIRE na'
already undergone form OF Illumination, We
cause the Chinese ships ran away II, "a 'e ard dis
,e,r md the forces on the shore Hen anu uiS
| .araad These are the disciplinary rnethods 81
/ The Middle Ages. They Will scarceiy DE- @
| I'm onnosing the fully developer hihe'eenI'i n
hwy methods which Japan possesses a"o P'"'