The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-29


into the harbor near Nagasaki. There
were four foreign officers on this vessel,
and they are now prisoners OF war.
Much sympathy has been expressed in
their behalf, but as they entered the
service against Japan they must abide
by the consequences. However, the
policy of Japan towards prisoners of
war is very lenient. One or two
japanese vessels have also been lost,
but reverses are so closely concealed
that we have no definite information
concerning them. There has been one
engagement by land in which the
Japanese drove the Chinese from the
field. To-day there is report of an
other engagement in which the
japanese were worsted, but we can get
nothing definite. AS I write l hear
the cries on the streets announcing the
issue of special bulletins from the seat
of war; but all official information is
carefully guarded, and We a!e afraid to
trust these bulletins.
Japan has acted so far in this matter
in very liberal, lenient manner. She
announced few days ago that in
asmuch a. Shanghai is largely COM
bosed of foreigners and as they own the
most of the property there, that city
will not be disturbed. Moved by this
act of magnaminity China has made
similar declaration in regard to
Yokohama. But our Southern parts
of Kobe and Nagsski will be exposed
to China's guns, should she get control
of these seas. There are pobably five
thousand Cinnamon living in Japan.
The government has ordered the
police to afford them and their business
all needful protection so long as they
conduct themselves properly.
Preparations are being made for q
much more extensive campaign than
could be proftably conducted in Ccrea,
and the general supposition is that
Japan intends to invade China, and
make sudden and terrific onslaught
on Peking itself. If China is not kept
busy defending herself, it is more
than probable that she will invade
Japan. Invasion on the part of either
party will make 8 fierce and bloody
contest, and We hope that the matter
may be confined to Corea.
Of course the influence OF the war
will be determined largely by its extent
and violence, and this cannot be
accurately foretold at present. Com
merce and business of all kinds will be
deranged, if not entirely stopped. For
eigners in both kingdoms will be safe
from violence so long as they remain
entirely neutral, but property owned
by them is in danger. We in Japan
have perfect confidence in the ability
of the government to protect our in
terests; but the foreigners in China do
not feel that way, and they will
probably suffer much more from the
war than we will. About the only
effect likely to be felt by US in the
interior will be an increased cost Of the
necessities of life. The work of evan
gelization will probably be seriously
impeded. The minds Of the people
will be occupied with other things, and
they will not attend to religious mat
ters. The young men will leave
the Christian schools and enter the
army. Ultimately our cause may be
furthered by the war. If it is fierce
and long Japan may be so alienated
from China and prejudiced against her,
as to learn to hate things Chinese.
The literature Of China has shaped and
directed japanese thought for centuries.
Through this war Chinese literature
may lose its hold here, and Western
literature take its place. If such
result should be accomplished the
effect would be very favorable to Chris
tianity.
One of the most benefcent effects Of
the war will likely be turning the
attention of the people from internal
questions. Many difficult internal
problems are before this nation, and
some thought that they could not be
settled without revolution. By the
time public attention is withdrawn
from this foreign war these Internal
questions may have solved themselves.
War is a great evil; but, like plaques
and pestilence, it cleans away the filth
and rubbish that has gathered for
years, and leaves the atmosphere
clearer and purer for its coming.