The herald., 1895-02-09
THE ORIENTAL WAR.

Less than 90 years ago the people OF
Japan were isolated from the world,
and their insular country for centuries
had been inclossd and barricsded against
commercial and diplomatio Intercourse
with other nations. Commodore Perry
of the United States navy in 1850 opened
Communication with the Japanese for
this country. They were then ignorant
OF the nations OF the world and of the
institutions of civilization. Concsiving
that his people could be improved by
contact with the people of civilized and
enlightened nations, and that the in-
situations of his country were inferior,
the mikado sent young men Of rank and
station to THE country, England. France
and Germany to study their laws, fnsn-
cial systems, com mercial methods. their
military and naval establishments and
In short to gain knowledge on all SUBJ
jects which would be useful to his peo-
pie. The civilized world was aware that
the Japaneee had made tremendous
progress, and hence the war with that
country and China hsu been watched
from the beginning with the profound-
est interest.
1t has been the more interesting be-
cause it 10 known that tho population of
China is ten to one Of that OF Japan.
and it was also understood that the
Japanese were more advanced in khowl-
edge and possessed more improved i'm
plemenss aud appliances OF war, and
we're more spirited people. The con.
test has been one Of mental sprightli-
ness and science on one side against
ponderousness on the other. very much
like the struggles OF the Msdes and Per-
slams under Xsrxes, except in that csse
ponderousners was the aggressor. The
war has been interesting to those
who like to read of battles, who admire
skill and genius on the part OF COM
manders, and courage and fortitude Of
soldiers. But 1t has been more inter.
esting to those who are fond of display
OF the power of mind over matter and |
the superiority OF q progressive people
and evolving civilization over q people |
that have bscome effste through centu-
ries of mental inertia, and who are OBJ
stinsts in their resistance to advance.
ment. The achievements of Japan In
organization and discipline of an srmy
and navy. in nautical skill. in grand |
strategy and in fighting on the land and |
sea, have produced both establishment
and admiration in enlightened countries.
The unity and patriotism Of the natives
show to what extent intelligence has
been developed among the masses.
The important question is what effect
will the war have upon the oiviliza-
lion of China and she orient generally?
China has advanced barely appreeisbly
Iinoe the time of Oonfuclus. The great
chinese wall has not been more services
able as q protection against invasion
han the wall that has been erected by
their government and institutions to
Keep out new ideas. The Chinese are a
people except to this
country, and they are not immigrants /
here. they are merely soiournsrs. Their
habits. customs and dress so far as we |
know are the same as they were when
Confucius was on earth, twenty.four
centuries ago.
War is q great calamity, but II is not
always an unmixed evil. 1t is oftensr
an efeetua' perfora.er of the crust that
forms over people. 1t at least arousss
to activity, and forces intelligence into,
and innovation upon a people. 1t for
the time at least shakes off inertia, and
sets activity at work In some direction.
1t has sometimes been the Gaze that
war or the cause which has led to war.
has developed conscience and made
men better. Whether the sound drub-
bling that has been given the Chinese
will be felt through the shell that is
upon them Is matter that the future
will disclose. The Chinese must have
learned that from some cause the
Japanese have become superior PEG.
Pile. and that it is a result OF casting
away effete ideas and adopting those
which are new and better. Having
learned this 1t may be that they will
take some steps in the direction OF
progress. They will, however. have to
give up the idea that their country lie
the celestial kingdom and that all other
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