The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-11


English newspapers published in Yoko-
hama. AS the policy Of this newspaper is
hostile to Japan the accusations produced
but slight impression at the outset, put
when they assumed circumstantiai shape
it was evident that they were based upon
intelligence believed to be wholly trust
worthy. Their persistent repetition maue
it necessary for the Associated Press corre-
spondent to ask for full information from
the Government. An answer was received
to the effect that the facts were at the dis
posal of the American press whenever APP
piled for, but with the understanding that
until the official court of inquiry should be
concluded no premature betrayal OF me
facts should be made in Japan.
At this juncture came the first indication
that the subject was attracting attention
in America. The New York World took
measures to obtain from the Japanese
Government, through an Independents
channel, an explanation of the alleged
massacre. In obedience 10 the Worlds re-
quest declaration OF the Governments
position was telegrapbed, the sender being
entirely ignorant that any previous state
ment had been forwarded. The Govern
ment's attitude was further set forth in
message to the Associated Press.
By this time much agitation had been
created in Japan, the charges in the
Yokohama journal before mentioned hav-
ing been more than once repeated on the
authority of eye witnesses. japanese
newspapers and one foreign paper not
hostile to Japan had expressed strong dis
belief in the publications that japanese
soldiers should have disgraced themselves.
upon which the direct testimony of Messrs.
Creelman and VilIiers was brought for
ward. The former authorized series OF
very damaging accusations, repeated
through several issues of the Yokohama
newspapers, and alleging an uninterrupted
succession of butcheries and unspeakable
atrocities for three days after the fall of
Port Arthur. accompanied by equally
positive though perhaps less vehement as
sertions from Villiers, who declared en-
phatically, though with some appearance
of reluctance. that he Endorsed Creel-
mans accounts"
For additional confirmation M. de La
guerie, correspondent of the Paris Temps.
volunteered evidence in support of all the
facts presented by the American and Eag-
lish correspondents. To allow no posi-
blity of Misunderstanding and to circulate
diseredi BILE truths to the widest extent
practicable. the .tales of the three gentle
men have been reiterated day after day to
the present time. and as if to prove the
uselessness of denial, in terms of steadily
increasing severity.
Turning to the other side, it is proper to
say that no denial has been attempted by
any person in authority or from any off,
clal source. The only statements from
which the opinion and feeling of the Gov
eminent can be fairly estimated are those
given TO the Associated Press and to the
World and they tell their own story. 1t is
a well-known habit of the authorities 10
make no announcements to the Japanese
public upon any subject until after the
minutest facts have been gathered. 1t has
been several times averred by newspapers
in Yokohama that the Ministers of State
are endeavoriDg to justify the misconduct
of those who took part in the slaughter on
the strength of the frightful provocation
given and to mitigate censure by producing
evidence of similar excuses in European
armies. If any such endeavor had been
made they could not have escaped the OBJ
servation OF your CORES pendent. Not
word of attempted exteDuation has been
discovered. The only voices continuously
heard are those of the foreign war c0rre=
spondents. Upon the question OF the
actual occurrences these gentlemen are
undivided.
In the conclusions drawn they are less
united. The American writer arraigns the
entire japanese race. He does this with
every appearance of sincerity. His COM
paCions are not so unreserved in their
condemnation. 1t has been mentioned
that statements sent forth to America
from The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
were given before the worst of the charges
brought by war correspondents had been
made public here. Deeming it possible
that these detailed indictments might sug-
gest new considerations to the authorities,
es pc ially in view of the popular indigna-
ton they have aroused, the agent of the
Associated Press asked at a proper quarter
if it was desired that any further messages
be conveyed, and was Informed that, so
far as the Government was concerned, the
subject was closed for tue present. What
the Ministers of State thought and felt
had been too plainly declared to admit of
doubt. and to pursue the matter into par
ticulars would have had the appearance OF
sanctioning the controversy in points
conc erning which there could be no pos
sible alteration. It is not expected that
any formal expression Of the Govern
ments opinion as to the methods here
employed by foreign journalists will be
heard.
Informal and unofficial opinions are
heard loudly enough on all sides. They
are. indeed, so vigorously proclaimed in
clubs, In committee-rooms of houses OF
parliament, in sanctuares Of departments
and in leading literary circles that no sup
preston of them would be possible. Cor
respondents are condemned, n OF for telling
everything that they saw, however APP
pallings nor for performing their duties
with scrupulous fidelity, but for alleged
abuse of privilege, such as would not be
practiced in any western country; for
carelessness resulting in the diffusion OF
gross exaggerations and for pervsrsions OF
truth calculated to bring unmerited shame
upon the entire japanese nation. 1t is not
difficult to sift the grains of substantial
accusation from the mass Of angry vituper-
alton. The abuse of privilege is held to