The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-05-14
The Japs' Prisoners.

From the Tokyo HOchl Shlmbun.
one can easily Judge of the hearts Of people and
how far they are advanced in civilization by the
way they treat their captiyes
Our government shows uureseryed kindness to-
ward her clptiyes and they are well cared for and
duly honored But this rare opportunity of doing
good should not be left entirely in the hands of the
authorities it is also our duty to be sympathetic
friends of the captIyes and make them feel comfort
able in strange land.
The war should be limited to armed men against
armed men; without arms they are good neighbors
and friends. We are all kindred and are bound in
one large family of human brotherhood, however
widely separated may be the countries in which we
live Then we must be kind to each other though
we may differ in speech, and sympathize with each
other in misfortune and rejoice together in times of
good fortune. Moreover, we must not fail to ex-
tend our sympathy 10 those who come as captives
to our country, for we are our brothers keeper"
We trust that our people may be generous enough
to organize q society to look after the capves and
make them feel az home while in their captivity We
have several societies already 10 assist the families
of the soldiers at the front We do not say that we
must neglect our own destitute people, but FIVE
are uuly kind us viii extend our spmpathes to all.
When we hear that our brave sons at the front are
capsurei by the enemy. We are naturally anxious
This is the same the world over If capures are
treated Kindly. ii not only gladdeus their own
hearts aud those Of their relatives but the whole
nation as we'll
Duuus the JaIau-China war the brother Of a ban
dit leader was captured by our army, you may
remember. and he received cordial treatment like
the vest OF the capuyes lie was greatly moved by
it and at the close of the war. when he was set 3:
liberty. as soon as he returned to his people he
pvesSed 70 MS comrades his gratitude for the KIND
treatment be received in Japan. such expressions
OF gratitude heceiS gratitude also Ia IT," whole ma
ton
There are not many of the enemy eaptiyes with
Us at present The four sailors from the Russian
torpedo destroyer are in our hospital and are well
cared far. They were smong the crew OF sixty who
fought valiant fight and brayely died a. their
posts. Taey are heroes though they be Of the enc
my They are true sailors who have done their
duty faithfully. Then Why should We not honor
them and treat them kindly
Il Is a fact 20 Dc regretted that our people. who
were coming away from Manchuria, Y N,adivostok
and vicinity. were subjected TO many indguitieS
our helpless women were shameieSsy misusei.
But tbis not excuse for Us 20 treat the Russian
captive, uukiudIy. Revenge is sin, &c is haTtar-
Ous act An eye for an eye. and a tooth Tot "a
tooth " belongs 90 old iaw that is obsolete. We
are living urdct 3 new law % universal brother
hu,i aad Joyc. AIl civilized people avoid revenge.
ami vc trust not without reaseu. that there are
uoge among us who have heart of revenge IN this
cjviiizcd aTc
The ain ~ thg present war with Russia Is 10 chas-
sF nrg 90 bfjug hack 30 her senses and 70 repent
aarc Tor her fuiy We are not cherishing revenge.
Whau tbs ear heard of thc japanese attack on his
Sect AZ Port Arthur he was very angry, aud de
ciar-i tHat Japan should receive reward ofs hum
ar-Ifosl Ne regret his inliscretion. though We
alaply excuse hin. Perhaps he WAS too much cS-
,il Bi thc moment fag the better exercise Of his
senses
We exbort our people. Don't become so much
cveie by the strong feeling that you lose your
better jzIgmsut. nor consider Russia an eternal
enemy For when the struggle Is over, Russia ~
Dc our good uetshhor aDi friend y 10 will enter in
ia commercial and other profitable relations with