New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-03
ANOTHER VIEW OF THE JAPS.
EX-ATTACIE CALLED TO ACCOUNT FOR
HIS EXPRESSIONS
NATIVES OF DAI NIPPON DECLARE THAT HE
UNDERSTANDS NEITHER THE PEOPLE. THEIR
HISTORY NOR THEIR RELIGION.

NATIVES OF DAI NIPPON DECLARE THAT HE
UNDERSTANDS NEITHER THE PEOPLE THEIR
HISTORY NOR THEIR RELIGION.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Upon reading article which published
In The Tribune the 10Th inst with the title 'One
View Of the Japs." was rather amused at the
undue earnestness of the author. as we'll as at the
novel manner In which he distorted the subject; al
though 1t seems almost unkInd to have such pleas
ure at the expense OF anothers handlwork. The
author styles himself "ExAttache" that is to say.
something OF an ex-dplomat The title itself ought
70 be enough to warrant his statements and it may
be considered high treason for any one to dissent
from his views the subject
am. however. amazed that a worthy and honor
able gentleman like himself did not think 1t his
place TO look into the subject more minutely and
sincerely than ne did. He shuiied of the whole
matter without reference 10 chronological order or
the swift development OF people The record
has shown that Japan's rapid progress and tran
sltion unparalleled in the history OF the word.
This makes II exceedingly difficult TO form an accu-
rate knowledge OF our people at any time. Ten
years changes with may well compare with a
century's growth In the West. Therefore, |, Is puz-
zllng to to deny what the ex-attache
says, yet know that his assertions are not cor
Besides. ne does seem TO realize the re-
sponsiby Of his Office as correcor; for how freely
he plunges into al. OF capr!ces OF mind In
spinning out his tale!
To me II appears that the article probably
written by person seeking TO wreak vengeance
rather than with the noble Intention to giye warn
Ing for II Is filed with venom nsolence ncon-
sstencies. prejudlces and other manifestations Of
a ruf!led mind. II suggests farce-comedy.
II is well known to all unbiased minds that China
Is unjust In the present war. She claims that to
which she has no right. Corea Is an independent
State She has violated the Tlen-Tsin treaty. She
has repeatedly perpetrated heinous outrages on Jap
anese subjects resident In Corea. These insults and
ind.gni;ies sef-respecting nation could long
brook but our country bore all with the meekness
and patience becoming to a superior race, with a
single object In vew-to keep the peace OF the
Orient. Japan. however. from moral. commercial
and political consldera tons. could not always permit
China to do she liked in Corea Consequently
Japan has been obliged to take up the gauntlet TO
maintain the national honor IA well as TO uphold
the interests OF the human
"Ex-Attache' says that should Japan be beaten In
the present war abe wodld abandon the civilization
she Is adopting and would shrink back into her
old shell: and ~ nslnuates tina: 100000 out Of
forty odd millions OF our people hate foreigners.
This is Indeed. = monstrous assertion, He must
have been in japan some thirty years ago ana
imagncs In his slow fashion that japan OF today
cannot he much different from what she was thirty
years ago We cannot too strongly take issue win
the gentleman VINO makes such gross calculation
about people. | VII present an instance: Did
you herr that our people ever gave any ohenc"
the contrary. they receive them warmly everywhere
Besides our adoption II Western c.yza ton was in
no way forced BY forc gn Powers. but was our own
free choice, because we foresaw the immense mate
rial benefit which II b~stows Therefore. II - alto
gcther wrong to suppose that our people as whole
dislike foreigners and oppose the civilization which
was adopted by their choice and which IN now
the nJwcr OF their pride.
The author also makes idle pretenslon about a
knowledge of our r-lg ion At glance v" can tell
that tn, x-atiachf does not. IN the nrSt place.
know even the difference between Shlntonism and
iuddhisn Shlntonlsm ~ religion based on no
al MAI n
the d,Vu" power Of conscience. ana ali kinds 81
ceremonies Introduced are To- invoke the believer =
con ~'lru." - have power over MS ac''pns There
are n, 'puh' many lover forms OF religion Tor the
sofa og lcnorant souls W. DO pot forget IN" people
VINO living IN the henrt Of civilization. stu adhere
10 the belief In the mystic powers OF saints ana
worship them outright -,
vii n0' attempt To- defend our people from the
rb,ry. that our commercial. morality IL low, FOR II
T. 10 certain extent true. And II IL well that our
merchants should be lash-l with this humiliation.
I that they may b" cpnstraned By Foreigners re-
u-oach y mend thri- ways But In justice 70 our
merchants | must say that there arc grounds on
which they dos our sympathy. The real cause
q. he evil is that the majority OF the merchants
have no, been brought up for such occupations
They are temporary merchants. might say. carry
Ing on business until generation OF trained ana
experienced merchants shall have grown up 10 take
I their places what "Ex-Attache styles dishonesty
Is IN many m"rei" Ignorance on the part OF
our merchants. ! believe. trusting IN the lntcIl-
g-n-e Of our people" that tn uay * not FAR on
/ wh.n We VIII b. relieved from that stigma.
New York August p. 1891 T. x.