The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-11-22

NO OGucE lduu Has UeGIeF SOluleTS
than the japanese, not because of their
strength or endurace, for they are small
and feeble folk, but because they will
obey orders, because they wish to
obey, for in so doing they do their
! part in the glory and the upbuilding
of Japan. The japanese students be-
long largely to the Samurai class, the
old fedual retainers, ard the feeling of
loyalty to japan is the animating
spirit in all their studies and in all
their work. 1t is the spirit Of honor,
the Bushido. the religion of Japan.
So long as the japanese keeps this
feeling he is worthy of trust. When
he loses his religious spirit, whatever
his rank or creed, he becomes a de-
generate, open to the attacks of all
the vices. For this reason a Japa-
nese who has lost his pride and grown
careless or indolent is one of the least
useful of men, and soon sinks to the
level of the similarly outcast Anglo
Saxon
These facts will help US to under
stand certain criticisms on Japan.
The merchant complains that the
japanese have no business head and
are careless of their contracts. In this
connection we may note the paradox
in the relations OF japanese and Chi
nese to business methods and to public
honesty. The Chinese are the business
men of the Orient. The word of a
Chinese is his bond and his contracts
are carried out to the letter. In Japan
the merchant who has miscalculated
asks his creditors to pay his debts.
This good nature he shows to others.
His sense Of good taste is stronger
than his sense of equity. Yet, while
from the highest to the lowest the
public life of China is corrupt, there
are few countries on earth so honestly
governed as Japan. The spirit of
honor animates japanese official,
and public office is public trust.
The japanese everywhere feel to-
ward America a peculiar, almost ro-
mantle, gratitude. 1t was America
who in 1854 first opened Japan to
the activities of the West, and furnish
ed the occasion for the downfall of the
outworn fedual system and the dual
role of Shotgun and Mikado. 1t was
America who led in the establish
ment of the Japanese school system
and the great Imperial University at
Toxic. 1t was American who was first
willing to allow Japan full jurisdic
tion in her own ports, which had been
opened to foreign residence and for
eign trade. To Japan, America is her
nearest and best friend among the
nations, her guide and leader in paths
which are new and strange.
The lesson of the Shimoneseki in
cident in 1868 has never been lost on
Japan. Every school boy knows it
and its meaning. Certain ships, Dutch,
French and American passing through
the Inland Sea were fired on at
Shimnnrseki. Afterward these, with
British ship, bombarded and destroy
ed the town, collecting at the same
time $3,000,O00 as indemnity, which
was divided among the Powers. Later
invests cation showed that the blame
was not all on one side, and the United
States returned the $3.50, 900 to Japan.
This chivalrous act of common cour-
tesy, never known before or since
among great Powers at once placed
the United States in class apart in
the Orient. When the vulgar >politl-
clans Of Europe whom we call the
"Great Powers" ceased nagging jap
an, outrages and unfriendly feeling
passed away. The lesson of all this
is worth needing in the great tragedy
of the vivisection of China For gen.
uine commerce rests on basis of mu-
.ual trust and mutual esteem. Trade
cannot be built up by force of arms,
nor are its profits ever great enough
to make good the cost and waste of
great army. Of all the nations of the
Orient Japan is the only one which
can in truth be called well governed.
Japan is the only one which has had
undistributed possession Of herself.
The japanese choose their own ruler,
make their own laws, train their own
armies, control their own trade. They
are the only Oriental people free from
the mighty curse of opium, for they
have the right to exclude it from their
ports. The trade of Japan is great
and growing. The profits of this trade
must 60 to those from whom the Jap
anese may choose to buy. To the end
of controlling this trade and through it
the trade of the Orient to which Japan
holds the ky, We have only to offer
fair dealing, personal courtesy, and the
chivalrous spirit which draws together
men and nations.-David Starr Jor-
dan in Tile Independent.
Nell-"Why did she break of the
engagement p
Bellc-"Just because OF remark he
made to her. He said: Let us enjoy
life while va NAV for We shall DrOhah-