The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-10-19
JAPANESE PATRIOTISM.

prise the more we learn of this rising,
perhaps we should say risen, power
of the East. And in no respect is
the contrast greater between this land
of the rising sun and the nations of
the Occident than as respects the
very agent by which Japan has taken
at once high place among the ma
tions of the earth. namely her army.
The words patriotism, glory, seem to
have meaning with the Japanese
somewhat akin to that it had among
the ancient Greeks and Romans.
Surely in view of the reports of Amer
lean and European correspondents of
the daily press now in Japan, look
ing about with close and intelligent
scrutiny to discover the sources of
power in this hitherto little known
people, there is much that seems
strange from its very simplicity as
contrasted with Western ideas.
In the matter of paying the soldiers,
for instance, who humbled Japan's
hereditary and formidable rival and
enemy Western nations find it hard
to believe that in the matter of patri-
otism this new power of the East can
teach older nations valuable lesson.
We are told, for instance, that private
soldiers receive practically no pay, the
Government only allowing them about
fifty cents per month for pocket
money.
Now that the war is over, the ques-
ton has arisen,-what compensation
should be given, not paid as due, for
the services these soldiers have rend-
cred? The Government, it is said,
will probably set aside about 5 per
cent. of the Chinese indemnity fund
or about 100000 or 100000 yen
as gratuity to the 100000 soldiers
who, it is estimated, saw actual serv-
ice in the brief but glorious struggle
with China. This will make about
so yen or the magnificent sum of
$500 to each private soldier and
corresponding amount to non-com
missioned and commissioned officers.
AS to pensions the scale of Govern
ment remuneration is correspondingly
liberal, the Government making an
allowance of 30 yen per annum or
about forty cents day in our money.
Even such remuneration as this is
apparently looked upon merely as
gratuity bestowed upon soldiers and
pensioners as an expression of the
gratitude of the Government for SER
vices rendered, and it has been pro-
posed in case the suggestion in regard
to the indemnity is adopted, that to
make the Governments gratitude
still more significant and apparent,
that the members of the several army
corps be assembled at the capitals of
the different provinces ON given
date and that the distribution of the
money be made by the Emperor
himself.
Still further adding to European
and American wonder over such ex-
traordinary payment of Japan's army
is the report that special relief funds
for disabled or wounded soldiers or
the families left without support by the
death of the husband and father will
be raised by private subscriptions
and contributions. Nine. Ito, wife
of the Prime Minister, Countess
Okuma, wife of one of the foremost
statesmen of Japan, and the wife of
the Minister of War will be leaders
in this benevolent movements. These
means OF remunerating the soldiers
to some extent for their services are
looked upon as special and extraor-
binary and the effect will doubtless
be to still further increase the patri
otism of this singularly simple and
self-suficient people.
Love of country with the Japanese
is evidently not dependent upon the
rewards the Government or people
may bestow upon those who fight
their battles, but approaches much
more ancient and lofty standard
Even the officers, in this respect, are
worthy the army. One major general
commanding division is said to have
sold his property, which was consid-
cradle, at auction at the beginning
of the war, and distributed it among
his soldiers, declaring that as for him
self he would die at the head of his
men or if he survived would be made
a governor of a conquered province
and would, therefore, in neither case
need his property. But it was his
fate to pass through every battle UNI
scathed and after the war he as we'll
as others suffered from the chagrin of
seeing japan compelled to give up
L. L., r