The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-21
The "Sunrise Kingd om,'
a Nation Born in a Day.
Continued from First Page)

Continued from First Page.)
united fleets shelled some of his towns
Semo small craft which he sent against
item were sunk by the Americans, but
Immediately the Americans lowered boats
and rescued as many as possible OF the
sinking Japanese sailors. This was a
great surprise TO them. The idea of res
cuing an enemy was foreign to their con-
ceptions at the time. The thing to do
under such circumstances, as Japan saw
it then, was to brain the fellow struggling
IL the water, with an oar or anything
else that came handy and would serve the
purpose. :,
Many years ago, under our OLD frien1
Hldeyosh, the Japanese invaded Korea,
and fought many and severe battles, bat
the objects of the invasion brought with
them, as souvenirs and mementoes of
their proves, great quantities of human
ears which they had cut from the heads
OF the killed and captured Koreans.
These were buried in a heap, in the city
If Kyoto, over which was cast a great
mound of earth on top of which was erect
ell a stone monument with commemora-
'tivc inscriptions. 1t is still known as the
Nmidzuka, ear tomb, and stands as
monument of the aggressive past whose
forces Japan is now directing &c better
and more humane ends.
In the recent war with China the dead
were carefully buried. Red Cross nurses
followed the army (the Society IS regular
ly organized in Japan, and an imperial
prince is presdent), and wounded or
sick Chinaman that fell into Japanese
hands was as carefully tended as one OF
ti,eir own men. Many prisoners were
taken, a squad of whom We're brought to
Nagyoa, the city in which / was living
al the time. The day of their arrival I
a.ned necessarily At the railroad sta
ton gate. on his exit, each prisoner was
handed an umbrella, and the whole banc
was marched up the street to their prison
quarters, each man carrying an umbrella
over him to protect himself from the rain.
" the temple and grounds where they
were kept the best of sanitary arrange
rcnts prevailed. Baths were provided,
and the Chinese, many Of whom seemed
never to have had bath before, WERE
Obliged to clean themselves up and put
on clean clothing. Abundance of whole.
some food was furnished them, and they
were given light work sufficient for ey
ere;se.
The feeling against Commodore Perry
wGs intense and widespread when at the
car mons mouth he forced the Shotgun to
sign treaty that violated the laws and
customs of centuries, and outraged the
opinions of nine hundred and ninety-nine
out of every thousand inhabitants. But so
complete has been the change of senti
nlent in Japan, and the progress of en-.
that I have frequently heard
Japanese say that Commodore Perry had
III owed to be their best friend. In recent
years public subscription has been raised
and statue erected to Perry's memory
on the very spot where the treaty was
signed. The money was contributed by
Japanese, and the day the statue was un-
yelled was made a festal occasion, and
speeches highly eulogistic of Perry were
made by japanese orators.
The japanese horse is a vicious scrub,
.he hardest hacker that ever mortal man
>at astride. His only proper business Is
that of carrying packs about the noun
tain paths, his feet shod with grass san
dals. Prior to 1859 the only means of
travel and OF freighting goods was by
means of junks along the coast, on horse
back, and only a samaurai was permit
ted to ride on horseback, afoot, and IN
kago, basket swinging from a pole each
end of which is borne on mans should
er. A Baptist missionary, it is said. III
verified the jinrickisha, man-power car
riage, for them, which has become the
universal means of travel where we use
noises and buggies. 1t is a two-wheeled
Va hlcle. shafts like cart, springs and
neatly upholstered seat for one person. a
mar draws it. He wears cloak-like gar
ment over his shoulders, which In hot
weather he throws off when he gets out
side the city, exposing his naked body
from the waist up, exhibiting skin OF
silk, texture. A broad-brm straw nat
shades his face. and his pants usually
come down about half way to his knees.
lie wears waraji, grass sandals, thai
cover the bottom of the feet and protect
them from wearing. Days such as we
have had recently, the snow melting ana
the streets filled with icy slush, these
jirilcksha men go dashing along with
their picturesque vehicles, then naked
limbs covered with mud as are the limbs
OF horses in similar weather in this coun-
try. | lived a measured mile and haI
fl n the railroad depot. l could call
II an at my gate, go to the station, ges