The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-03-13

flowers of the orient will do in the way of
rendering aid to their countrymen who
are fighting in the far east
The crack of the first shell is the signal
for American women to take action If
their country is involved in war. and even
when patriotism is not concerned they
are eager to offer assistance where it is
needed.
What are the japanese women doing or
going TO do?
Nothing is being done at present" said
Mrs. Uchida, wife Of the consul general,
when asked about their plans TO aid the
fighters. But this inactivity on our part
is not due to any unpatriotic feeling. Far
from it. 1t is only that at present there
is nothing for US to do.
I'VE three women have difficult task
before us, don't you think SOP asked the
little lady. What can We do among so
many foreigners" And as she put the
question there came into her eyes a very
pretty and appealing look.
Whatever we set out TO do must be
done well and thoroughly. for we repre-
sent the whole japanese nation in New
York we three women. and it would not
do to plan anything small or TO have any
thing but big success. 1t must be some
thing large, something great" she went
on. her dark almond eyes opening wider
and wider as she spread out her hands in
an expressive gesture.
We can not accomplish anything in
New York without asking help from for
eigners, from Americans, and. though We
have many delightful friends here who
would be willing to assist US we are not
quite sure it would be best for US to put
ourselves in the position of asking fayors
from them. They might criticise US at
home. we might do something TO offend
japanese officials, so that is why we have
decided to defer action until authorities
have decided as to how far we may be
allowed to go.
IF we were in Japan there are a thou
sand things that we could plan TO help
the war fund, and l think we should be
lust as eager and interested as Ameri
cans are when their country is fighting.
Il is not that we are afraid or ur9atriotic
o no! We are anxious to help and have
already held several meetings, the three
of us, but at present it is not very neces-
sary that we should do anything. The
Of US helps all she can toward that. but
not by begging.
1T is a great responsibility, sighed the
little lady, Ito represent ones nation, and
we dare not take any steps without con-
suIting Mr.. Uchida. and he is so busy all
the time that he can not stop to consider
the best plan of action for us.
I'VE are proud of the sympathy that so
many Americans are showing for us.
Sometimes 1 know 1t is given without a
thorough understanding of the cause of
our trouble with Russia. but we appreci-
ate it none the less Perhaps the Ameri-
cans who are on our side are there be-
cause they dislike Russia, making it a sort
of negative sympathy, but whatever ii is,
we are proud and glad to have it given
u.s.
In her pretty little apartment at Central
Park West and Ninety-fourth street, Mrs
Imanishi echoed the sentiments of the
wife of the Japanese consul general. we
have held a few meetings since war was
declared and have planned a way to raise
money for the war fund. but work is not
required of us yet Our husbands think
that the time is not ripe for US to begin
active work" she said.
Mrs. Iwahata, who is living at the An
sonia. is also waiting for authorities TO
declare that Japan is ready and anxious
to accept aid from it's countrymen in
Y. Herald.
Caterpillars have become q plague in
New South Wales. In some cases they
have interfered with railway travel as
the trains could not move on the rails
made slippery by the crushed caterpillars.
The commerce of the countries front
ing on the scene of the war in the far
east amounts to about $500, OO0. coo a year.
Of which the United States mas about one
sixth. or 500 OOOOOo