The Indianapolis journal., 1902-11-09
one blow the head had been severed from

one blow the head had been severed from
the body
Hara -kiri is still practiced voluntarily, al
though no longer officially ordered. 1t has
been employed notably in protest against
the acts of a superior, when other protests
might be unavailing The japanese ap-
proved of it, and regard messages left by
the victim as an appeal from the grave,
calculated to move hearts that could not be
reached by living voice. One of the cases
reported as instancing marvellous determin-
alton was that of young man of twenty
years who not content with giving
himself the one necessary cut, slashed him.
self thrice horizontally and twice verti-
cally. No sooner had the government
yielded to the demands of France, Russia
and Germany by surrendering the province
of Liaotung in order that the Russians
might lease Port Arthur and other territory
there than forty military officers commit
ted hara-kiri A young officer killed him
self in this way last year in the hope Of
stirring the government to take active
measures to prevent Russian encroachment
in the northern islands of Japan. No cases
of political Importance have been reported
in the present year. but the newspapers
show that this mode of dispatch is still not
uncommon, and that the people at large
regard it as eminently proper.
AN ARMY OF WORKERS.
To the inherent native sense of loyalty
may be attributed the favor with which
are regarded projects for army and navy
extensions, or for other measures calcu
lated to strengthen the political influence
of the government. Parties divide sharply
here, as in other lands, over issues rated
as minor, among them the treatment of
national finance; but the lawmakers are
most careful to give no cause for public
offense in matters that appeal to the pub
lie impulse SO closely as do efficient means
of attack and defense. The common dis
position is so gentle and contented, and
the people so happy, that the love they
exhibit for military display and trappings
seems inordinate and inconsistent. But it
rests on a character developed before many
nations now stronger had advanced be-
yond the stage of weaklings. The Japan
csc have a toy soldiery only in stature.
No one who has seen it in the field would
underrate it. and those who may observe
Ii in routine operations will testify that
soldering is the gravest kind of business.
it were in real preparation for active serv-
ice Its officers are students of military
science and the world has nothing to offer
in their line which is not diligently investi-
gated and concerning which well studied
reports are not submitted for the highest
consideration. Drilling is always in prog
ress and practice in new maneuvers never
ends Every branch of the service receives
constantly as minute attention as If any
day might furnish occasion for the use of
the best skill and strength that the land
can put forth. There may be much yet to
be learned but both the army and the
navy are learning all they can as rapidly
and as well as they can.
Japanese soldiers of all ranks appear
never to be unmindful for an instant of the
service i'm which they are engaged. They
do not dissipate. the little recreation that
they give themselves is quiet and inno-
cent, and they keep their eyes, and doubt
less their minds, on their business. Little
is heard OF work abroad on Japanese mill
tary and naval account, but from the
miauteness Of their information regarding
the China field. when none OF the other
allies knew more than could be obtained
from public maps. a point will not be
strained In supposing the employment In
this line Of much industry that is not
ndvertlssA ThAra nnav yell ha occasion