The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-09-17
ALL MADE WILLS.
Japanese Officers Are
Patriotic.
Dramatic Leave-Taking of Naval
Captains in One of the Yol<o-
hama TeahouSeS.

II is conceded on every hand that the
Japanese strength in the war with China
lies largely in her navy. In the first place
this is undoubtedly from the fact that she
has the more modern vessels and that her
officers have been trained in Western
methods. But, be this as it may. the
greatest strength of the Japanese navy
arises from tb e patriotism OF the men COM
posing that branch of the service more
than from their skill.
One little incident, in which one of the
passengers on the Oceanic took part some
time ago, will serve to Illustrate this bet
ter than anything else. While showing
the enthusiasm oil the people for the cause
in which their Government i Involved it
has that oddly dramatic touch which is
peculiarly characteristic of the nation of
one legged cranes and leering fishes.
L. K. Mnto, who is minister of the
gospel and is now on his way 10 Que of the
theological seminaries of the East, relates
it. Being minister, it is not supposed
he would depart from the truth. His
brotheT-in-law is captain on one OF the
smaller Japanese war vessels, and, with
all the other officers in that navy, was
eager enough to fight when the wal was
declared. at tbs first news they were en-
thusiastic. and, as the days passed on and
preparations were FASTENED, that en- husi-
asm deepened and dubbed and overlooked
at red heat. They were fairly dancing
around In their desire to sail out, meet
anything or everything Chinese and blow
i: off the face of the sea. Every night
while waiting for sailing orders they met
and supped and enthused. They were just
aching TO do or dare something that would
beyond the shadow of a doubt show their
patriotism, and they were nearly craZed,
some of them, at the apparent lack OF Op-
portunity.
Finally one of them struck upon an idea
Full of it he fastened to the teahouse
where his fellow officers were wont to
meet and laid it before them. 1t met with
instant approvsL The thinker OF the
thought was placed enthusiastically on
applauding shoulders and carried three
times in triumph around the teahouse by
his appreciatlVe brethren. They set 10
work.
Invitations were Immediately dispatched
to all the relatives OF all the officers within
a days journey of Yokohama, inviting
them to a grand banquet, two nights
thence. The second night came, and with
Ill the relatives of the sailors for miles
around.
One of the largest teahouses in Yoko-
hama had been pitched upon for the grand
event, and myriads of beautiful lanterns
hung on the cherry trees and peeped here
and there, like monster glowworms
through the wlsteria. The summer AR
was redolent of The perfume of big white
and pink blossoms of the cherries, and
the music of Samisan and Koto was sweet
tO the ear. And amid the tinkling of tea
cups, when the twinkliug feet OF dancing
girls had ceased and all was still in the
blaze of light but the chipping cricket, each
OF the officers rose, produced from about
his person a document, which each pIo-
cesded to read in turn.
The documents were wills in which the
testators recited that, in view of the fact
that they were about to embark in war for
their country's sake, and having resolved
20 offer themselves as sacrifices on the
altar of patriotism, they desired that their
families might not be put to any trouble If
they hOnorably might die.
There were affecting scenes and hand
shakiDgs and wise mods OF the head and
sparklings from maiden eyes. There was
more tea-drinking. the Samisaus more
loudly twanged and the dancing girls
stepped more swift lv to the tinkling of tile
koto. The air grew more fragrant vi b
natures perfumes and the pale moon soft
ened and peeped slyly through the purple
wis,eria al the pretty lanterns. The de-
voted officers feasted and their relatives
Toasted. a patti tic deed was as good as
done and all were as happy as any Japan
csc ever gets.