Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-08
placed on supports that raised it several

placed on supports that raised 1t several
feet from the ground.
On the side of the toy temple facing the
end of the lane stairway led to the open
doors, through which bits of paper could
be seen tackled to the pagoda walls. On
these papers We're the names of those who
had lost their lives on the battlefield and in
whose honor the ceremonies We're about to
be performed.
Behind the pagoda and at right angles
with the double row of banners which
formed the lane were planted five more
large Chinese standards. In a circle round
1t stacks Of captured riIies We're surmounted
by Chinese guidons, small pennants and
other trophies of the combat.
BY the steps leading to the doors of the
pasoda We're two pomegranate trees in full
bloom, their bright red flowers showing
that natures colors were well able to hold
their own amid all the artificial coloring
with which they were surrounded.
On either side of the pagoda lay the burnt
offerings On the right We're a pair of
black and white sheep, just slaughtered
and on the left lay the carcass of a fresh
killed bullock.
Immediately in front benches might be
seen, groaning with eatables. Watermelons,
cucumbers, cabbages and other vegetables
IN PERCUSSION, a goOdly assortment of fowrS
mere and there a basket of fruit, and, in
fact, almost everything obtainable in Tien
ism IN the way of eatables was in evil
dence.
The variation of color and rarity Of form
and arrangement made the scene one of
barbaric splendor. AT little distance from
the paSoda another burnt offering stood in
the form of yet unslaughtered bullock,
whose sturdy neck and body were encircled
by bands Of crimson, while ribbons of red
and white were wound about his head and
horns.
After the thousands of Japanese soldiers
who had marched to the scene Of the
memorial services We're drawn up in col
umn of masses facing the front of the pa
CODA at a distance of a score of yards, the
ceremonies Inv OF
Fukushima.
A trio of officers present held superior
rank to the short, fat little man who Won
such enviable laurels during the storming
of Tien Tsin; but it fell to his lot TO read
the memorial address and eulogy of the
dead, as they had fallen while fighting I'M
der his command.
Our sorrow for the death of you, our
comrades began the little general, 'is
tempered by the knowledge that you died
to the everlasting glory of his imperial
majesty and Japan, and the realization
that such death as yours is indeed glor-
ious and happy ending for those whose
highest aim is the perfect performance Of
their duty.
PROUD am I, your general, that it was
my fortune to be placed in command of
such valiant men, and l feel as do all Of
your comrades, the greatest sadness that
1T was necessary that your lives should be
sacrificed. You came to these shores as
soldiers of the empire. You are now num-
bered among the heroes of Japan"
After Fukushima's eloquent and we'll
delivered eulogy had been read the general
officers advanced to the front of the pa
CODA, one after the other, and solemnly
saluted in memory of the dead, bowed,
turned and walked away.
So heartfelt, so sincere, so thoroughly hui
man was the proceeding, that 1t cast an air
of impreSSiveness over the crowd who wit
messed the ceremony that could be felt ty
those who We're unable to understand the
tongue in which the eulogy was read
The religious exercises then common ed,
in accordance with the Buddhist rites
Three priests took their stand in the lane
of banners in front of the pagoda and COM
menced loud, weird chant, which at times
would quicken in time and volume, only to
die away again like the soughing winter
winds through Japans grim pine forests.
The chanting concluded, the Japanese Of
fcers, who We're clustered near by, passed
to make a solemn bow and to salute with
studied dignity and precision.
Next came the homage of the rank and
file to the memory of their fallen comrades |
One by one the companies were marched to |
the foot of the lane Of waving trophies of
their valor and prowess in the fight
trophies also Of the bravery of their dead
brethren. There, in perfect line of COM
pany front, the bayoneted guns held rigid |
ly at the present" each company in turn |
stood at attention. while the bugles sounded
their clear notes in salutation to those I
whose names were written on the bits Of
paper tackled to the walls in the pagoda
The last fourishes of the trumpets |
sounded, one company would give way to
another, until all had thus paid homage to |
the heroic dead.
When the last company had passed the
pagoda the guns of the soldiers We're
stacked, ranks broken, and all repaired to
a spot near by where a soft earthen ring
had been prepared for the wrestlers. as well |
as mats upon which those of the spectators
who cared to seat themselves could do so.
After the wrestling had continued for |
some time the general officers and most of |
the spectators, other than the soldiery, left |
the scene, and the crowd was on the point |
of breaking up when some merry spirit
who had witnessed the interest taken In the