The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-07-31

duction of the extreme penalty, we all ex- pected a lighter sentence than that of cap- ital punishment. but after deliberation of half an hour the tribunal condemned the two officers to the maximum punishment namely: hanging. Jokoka and Jokki heard the sentence with as unconcerned an air as if it had fallen up- on strangers to them Indeed, had the verdict been a lighter ore, they would prob ably have shown surprise. Only confirmation by Gen. Kouropatkin was awaited.
 was present when the commafdant read out Gen. Kouroptkin's order changing the mode of death to shooting Tt is we'll" was Jokoka's reply. 'T am ready"
 His comrade said nothing his most dis dainfui look expressing indifference as to the deaths that awaited them.
 Jokoka asked leave to write to his fam fly and embraced Jokk. The latter now opened his lips.
 q die more tranquil than you coionel.'
 How so?' asked the other.
 "I have done my duty to my country and my maker You have only earned the thanks of your country"
 What do you mean, captain?"
 q have often thought colonel, of what you have told me of Christianity. You boast of its superority to my creed. Well, I find that you are not in accord with your Christs teachings I, the contrary. have nothing to reproach myself with"
 You are perhaps right. captain. But now I have favor to ask of you. Will you authorize me to perform the first really Christian act which has been allowed me in my life. You know that have still bun dle of notes of the Chinese rank There are, perhaps, a thousand rubles want to hand over this money personally to the com mandant to give to the Russian Red Cross for their wounded. Do you agree to this?" ..Jokki stood refiecting a moment. Then he said:
 q have always felt great affection for you. colonel. and If this makes you happy. give the money to our enemies"
 When the commandant returned to the prisoners Jokoka handed him sheaf of white bank notes with red inscriptions. say ing:
 '.rhere are about a thousand rubles here. We beg you to give the money to your red cross"
 ''But had I not better send it to your families?"
 with one voice. "The mikado will not for get our wives and children. Do not re- fuse us this satisfaction" added Jokoka; divide the money among your wounded"
 The commanjant still insisted that the officers should send home to Japan all they left For one moment Jokki appeared to waver. He glanced at his comrade in mis- fortune. The latter only reiterated his wish to make amends in this way for the wrongs committed in his life. The captain
 
 Our commandant yielded. He then asked the two Japs whether they wished for any thing.
 The Buddhist's reply was; T should much like a bath; after that we win be at your disposal"
 A bath room Is an unknown article in Harbin and the commandant could only send for couple of pails of water The Christian colonel earnestly begged to be allowed to see a clergyman before going to his death.
 As there no Lutheran chapllin on the spot the Russian priest of the regiment was sent to him. Jokoka begged him to read out the sermon the mount. This was read in Russian Jokoka following the text in his Japanese bible, which had been left with him in his cell. When the priest came to the words
 For if ye love only those who love ye, what reward will ye have? And if ye well come only brothers wherein lieth the vir- tue?" Jokoka closed the book. joined his hands. and bowed his head moment his lips moving.
 "Jokki." he said, you are right You die more peaceful than I. for I have never felt strongly how much my life has been in disaccord with Christ's teachings"
 The carriage which to take the two men to their death was now waiting. Out side swarmed the crowd--that hideous crowd, always alike at such times-mer- chants out of work. seedy adventurers who had Hooked out to the far east on the look out for an odd job.
 The two Japanese went to their doom as impassive as ever. Only the colonel. one could see. was a prey to painful thoughts. Both lighted their cigarets. and asked not to be tied to the posts.
 The commandant took a couple of hand kerchiefs from his pocket and handed them 10 the prisoners. Jokoka himself bound his eyes. but Jokki refused dsdainfully to do so. declaring he wished to watch the op- erations.
 Twelve soldiers were posted in front of the colonel, another twelve in front of the captain.
 If you have any pity on these unfortun- ats men" said the commandant to his sol diers aim at ther hearts Death will be instantaneous."
 Jokoka fell to the left. Jokki. without having twitched his eyelids, fell forward.
 Both were riddled with bullets. Our good soldiers had taken pity on them.