The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-12
ITO TO TING.

The following letter from the japanese Adj
rairaI Ito to the Chinese Admiral inns eaInhS
upon the. lstter 70 surrender when Mel-hal-we1
was eaptured. and Just before AdmlFsl tahs
committed suicide, is translated IrVih d : SP@
ress paper, snd has not before been pooIiShe1
IN this country. IL 5 peculiarly CHARACTERISTIC
OF japanese thought, manners ana the courtesy
for which the race is noted;
To admiral Ting: I am very sorry 20 see you
II such an unpleasant position, but o. course
this is not s private matter between Us MY
feeling OF friendships is Just the same as IL was
in time Of peace Now do not write this let
ter IN the spirit OF 8 friend. man who hss
charge OF certain affairs often fallS 70 Snow
proper Judgment, and If his friend sees this he
must advise him.
Il Is not difficult 70 understand why the
Chinese army snd navy continually suffer
severe losses. The cause OF their defsst Is not
from The negligence OF the present Emperor or
his TassaIs, but II Is the result OF the UIsnsE-
sgeuert Of China. which has been going on Tor
years n your country, when the Government
IS about 70 engage officers she examines them
in only one kind OF Chinese literature This
method OF exan1tnatio has not changed for
many thousand years, so the great aim OF the
whole nation is study the old classics alone
Perhaps this method would not be q bad one
If your country were shut ont from the rest Of
the world.
Thirty years ago japan met With numerous
e4lani5ies and passed through critical periods
while she was changing her old condition for 3
new one; this wss the only wsy she could OBJ
tain her Independence N ike manner your
country should adopt those prflci pies which
have caused the advancement Of Cur country.
II your country does this she viii De glorious,
II not she viii surely decay.
The result OF the war seems TO be determined
and the duty you now owe your country cannot
, be Performed by destroying your life. Indeed,
II IS not easy work 70 reform such an extensive
country as China There is no way for you out
OF this difficulty except 10 surrender As the
surre1dering Of feet il much better than the
ruin OF the whole nation advise you after
Your surrender % stay IN Japan waiting the
time OF the reformation OF your country.
When the time arrives for you 20 Use your
energy for your country you may 90 back
General Aac}lahon once surrendered, ouL
afterward ne zeaIously assisted in the reforna-
ton of his country and became its President
Although OSman Pasha was once e prisoner,
still he improved the military institutions Of
his country.
Our japanese Emperor Is very liberal; his
Majesty never loses his princely virtues For
example, Yiseount Anonot and Privy Counsel
oton were once traitors, but the Emperor
knew their ability. Soon after their surrender
he gave them very honorable positions. Even
foreigners, II they are wise and honest, our
Emperor treats with respect and kindness; and
you, If you come TO Japan, viii surely be treated
with the same kindness.
II Is for you TO determine whether you viii
destroy your life and leave your country 10 go
TO ruin or whether you viii live and by your
efforts achieve great reformation in it. The
Government officers OF yourIcountry think the
best way is 70 use naughty terms when they
comm unicate with the officers OF foreign coun-
tries Tor the purpose OF showing their strength
Or concealing their weak points. Il is not my
wish TO address you with any such intention.
On the contrary I write this letter in & sincere
friendly spirit and hope you viii accept it in
the same spirit. ADMIRAL s. Iro.