New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-16
JAPAN IN ARMS
AND DEVOTION OF THE
ENTIRE NATION
POURING IN FROM ALL CLAssES-CoNTRAsT
WITH TIE APATHY OF GINA

Toxic. Japan. August 20.
The foreign traveller who visits Japan in
these days sees the finest phase OF the National
character more strikingly manifested than at
any previous period in modern history. The
chivary Of the race-that lofty spirit known
In poetry and romance Yamato damashii.
the soul Of Japan"-is brought into a bold re-
lief that wildly recalls the knghty legends
Of the past and. instead of being confined as Of
old to the privileged samurai class. II is now
shared by the entire mass OF the people. the
humblest OF the peasantry rlvalling the proud
est OF the mobiles In the ardor of their patriotic
devotion. The barriers of caste burned
away. The pariahs OF yesterday the 1.-THE.
quick. keen-eyed soldiers OF to-day The once
despised tradesmen throw open their Golfers
to swell the voluntary war fund and the hard
working aborers In towns and villages continue
to send to the fighters In the field such modest
gifts as their slender means can supply. Such
unanimity OF feeling such faith In the com
mon cause, such readiness to sacrifice ALL II
need be. to the glory OF the Empire have sell
| dom been parallcled In any land. Americans
who witnessed the uprising Of the North at the
| time Of secession know how the fervor OF
enthusiastic nation reveals itself; but even that
memorable example falls behind the present
demonstration In Japan. for then there were
| doubts and discussions that Jared against the
prevailing sentiment. while here dscordant
note Is heard. The whole populace think and
net man.
II has been said by philosophic writer's that
the japanese possess no deep religious quail
0es. their strongest moral convictions being
founded on the single principle OF loyalty. It Is
quite true that In all ages their conduct has
been mainly. II not solely. controlled by this
motive. Within the recollection Of men still on
the scene. faithful vessals have refused TO out
live their lords. Until period comparatively
modern. :hc rcnown OF the master the fame
OF the followers: his disgrace their shame: his
death often the signal for their self-destructon.
Now under the new social system. though the
obligation OF allegiance Is transferred. the in
nuence remains potent as in the feudal era.
The ancient retairers have become simple cti-
zens. Of the same grade as that to which the
millions OF lower birth We're elevated by the
enactment Of the Constitution. The idea OF adj
hercnce to the chieftain Of n clan is supplanted
| by universal love OF country. and the fidelity
with which the local ruler honored and
| obeyed liz lavished with boundcss zeal and
affection upon the sovereign Of the realm. That
no nation was ever more thoroughly united In
| loyalty and patriotism the events Of the last
few weeks have conclusively proved.
They have proved more. The japanese
naturally aware that the curious attention Of
| the world has long been fixed upon Them and
they not lll-pleasel that the opportunity IS
afforded OF showing hat. notwithstanding GEN.
turtles ~ peace. broken only by minor disturb
ances they are able 10 maintain the traditions
OF their Ancestors and are not y be regarded
exclusively as breeders of the silk worm. Guilt
vators OF the tea shrub or modellers OF kaolin.
They not unwilling 70 be tested In the
crucibe OF war. and they know that II depends
| upon their own exertlons whether they pass the
ordeal with honor or discredit. They have vol
! unfairly made themselves the pioneers OF West
! ern civilization In Asia and understand that they
are required 10 vlndicate their policy and ac
count for the millions spent upon railroads.
telegrnphs. fleets. army equipments and foreign
| training Their confidence in the result is with
| out the slightest drawback The sole appre-
henson felt 10y any citizen Is that he may not
be accorded the privilege OF contributing in soma
| manner TO the great end. In spite OF the obvious
mposslbity Of enrolling the entire community.
| every displays restless eagerness 10 serve
under the nag As the troops pass over the
| railroads % take ships at Smonosek. each sta
ton AZ which they stop to rest resounds with
acclamntlons. and the police are Obliged 10
exercise a mild authority in restraining the
|
cess Of solid and liquid refreshment. The
| Hiroshima garrison. which was the first 10 be
called out. actually had difficulty IN MAX
| Ing IT'S way through the multtudes which assem-
bed at the port OF embarkaton to cheer I, on
the way. In every part OF the country mass
meetings are daily held. at which popular
tors are invited 10 give utterance to the gem
eral feeling-though most OF these occasions
| fhc enOi ia
cries OF the excited congregation The national
| hymn. "Kimgayo" Is reard from morning till
highland often from night TIL morning again
| in the streets OF every city
1t Is not merely in exultant speech and song
that the people give testimony OF thei' sincerity.
! From ali quarters offers OF money come pouring
| In upon the Government which now reckon
| with certainty upon voluntary subscriptions
amounting to not less than 30.00,C0O OF yen.
should they be needed The persons who thus
desire TO take upon themselves the burden or ex-
penditure are not OF the wealthy class alone. nor
are these even In the majority. Though all
grades OF society are represented the number or
those In moderate circumstances preponderates.
One young lad sixteen years old. an apprentice
to a hardware merchant. sent the whole sum OF
his savings since boyhood. He began at the age
OF six and had put aside fifteen ycn-say - IN
gold 1t was hie all. and he freely and joyously
gave II. Passing to the other extreme. we ma
recorded the proposal Of rich rice broker In
the capital that two-thirds Of his large fortune
be accepted In pulk. A certain millionaire CT
Sakata named Homma, has = mt his check Tor
10 900 yen. The owner Of n small coal mine IN
Fukuoka tenders his full stock In hand. some
500 tons The directors OF the Fifteenth National
Bank-the bank OF the peerage-have voted 10
provide 1900 900 yen. The Japan Life Insurance
Company has abrogated Its rule requiring an
extra premium from persons In active war ser
vice. and announced that bonus OF ~ per cent
will be given to the heirs OF all insured soldiers
who die fighting for their country Many raul