The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-02-05
IjAPAN'S DIGNITY IN
SEVERE CRISIS
Mikako'. People Eager for War
With Russia. Show
Patience.
seoes KEPT ~ REAR
J,Nooes KEPT IN REAR

Entire Nation Joins In Innate Hatred
OF the Bear, but Faith in Ruler y
Firm-children Drill Like
Soldiers.
Toxic. Jan The real greatness OF
The Japanese people. their patience. their
self-control, their Intelligent confidence in
and respect for their rulers. has never
peen 80 manifest to those who have known
them longest az during this year Of brok-
IN faith and aggression or the part OF
Russia. Nothing has been done by jtngoes
81 hghtheaded partisans to impair the
dignity OF Japan's attitude OF courteous
patfence-a patience that is wearing to q
last fine shred. however.
The contemptuous discourtesy- with
which Russia has treated the protests and
communications OF the japanese govern
| ment, the acts of aggression in Korea, ana
~.eoccupation in Manchuria in the midst
Of the negotiations, the weeks that go by
L without any reply being made to the min.
lsterial notes, have but added, however.
to the deep seated hostility. the innate
hatred of Russia.
Beyond all acts in M~anchuria and Korea,
| The japanese people feel that their sacred
emperor has been treated discourteously
by the Russian ruler, who has turned
such questions of international policy over
to a subordinate. transferring negotla-
! lions from the foreign Office at st. Peters,
burg to the dockyard headquarters occu-
| pied by Admiral AeXieff at Port Arthur.
The Inspired editorials In the Novo Krai.
Admiral Alexieff's organ at Port Arthur,
have been at times so remarkable that
they might be justly taken as casus bell
alone. Their translation in japanese
newspapers has intlamed the younger
men of the progressive party to hold
meetings and pass resolutions and send
. committee to the premier's residence to
a%cquaint him with their attitude.
The whole nation. from mobiles and coll
lege professors to the least coolie, is alive
to the situation, and believes hat all
courteous and peaceful modes having
failed. its only resource Is an appeal to
arms to check the omniverous power and
assert the binding force of treaties.
The czarina's illness. and the absence of
the car from st. Petersburg nave been
kiven as reasons for neglecting to answer
the notes of the Japanese government.
but notes from other governments have
received prompt attention, and negotia-
lions over Balkan affairs progressed while
he affairs of Japan were put aside.
While delaying the answer. Russia in
creased her garrisons and defenses in
Manchuria. Thirteen regiments came
from Siberia during the six weeks since
Il oAdkAo pk0kOSI was AA4hAS oINA DIX 4H@o
increased her fleet in Asiatic waters by
two more battleships.
We are not confronted by an honorable
enemy, why wait? Why continue to treat
treachery with courtesy2" asks one Jap
anese.
Better risk all now, and quickly, than
to swallow more insults"
A pessimist cries: What can Japan dot
England ties our hands, and Mr.. Balfouf
babbles of peace. peace, peace, and the
United States says nothing. What can
Japan do alone against SO great and un-
%scrupulous a power, with two more un-
%scrupulous allies ready to help her? China
talks bravely. but the whole court would
I, run to Shansi again II a single Russian
regiment crossed the border. What can
Japan do?"
With business at a %standstill, capital ~.
ing idle in the banks, and all activities
Daralyzed by the political uncertainties,
the merchants cry out that this state OF
hdecision Is as disastrous to them as wal
itself. Bonds are depressed R foreign
markets, marine insurance has risen, and
every contract has a war clause. The
coal mine owners in Kinshin, the SOUTH
ern island, who have had a large trade
with Port Arthur and Dalny, being now
forbidden to sell to Russians, are sudden
ly confronted with bankruptcy as their
stock on hand increases. But 1t Ia said
that their patriotism is magnificent in the
face Of such a test, and they are a shin
ing example to the American firms in the
east who nave been selling and snug
Cling arms into the Philippines: and to the
English firms found sending arms to the
revolving tribesmen of the India frontier
via the Persian gulf, and to the tribes in
Somaliland now at war with the. British
expedition.
The Japanese people are reused to the
situation. The priests in the temples dis
cuss the question:, professors. teachers
and ctt16eOfS from the highest vIpfvarsjfv
10 the least primary school are alive to
the burning question. The '.seven pro-
~fessors" who memorialized the govern
ment and argued the necessity of the war
with Russia are immortalized in the eyes
Of the students. s-l
The young men have anti-Russian So
cieties and are more vehement than the
progressives and the opposition parties in
parliament, who clamor for war and the
Impeachment Of the slowly negotiating
ministers,
The ting-a-ling Of the newsboy's hand
pell as he runs rapidly through the streets,
with extra editions Is frequent, and the
coolie who pulls the jinrikisha will turn
and explain to his passenger: Russia
makes more bobbery."
Crowds flock to the theater, where a
Decentralization Of Tolsto..'s "Resurrection',
is being played and note carefully that
presentation of Russian morals and so
eiety as painted by Russia's greatest and
uioSL MeIClieSSly uTutlIul artist. Ih0so
who have seen "Resurrection' discuss
Russian Justice and legal procedure and
She prison system with great fervor.
AT the School for Foreign Languages
the students of Russian outnumber all
other classes, and the text books in the
city We're almost exhausted by the sud
den demand when the school opened this
fall. The Japanese 'schoolboy, always
eager for the military drill which is a
part OF the daily exercises. is now keener
than ever, n from the railway track he
tween Toxic and Yokohama one sees
several country school houses IN whose
play grounds the youngsters are smartly
marching and countcrmarching. .They
will go to M%anchur.a sometime" says =
Japanese passenger. noting the f~oreiRn-
sr's interest in the boys evolutions.
Admiration.
Washington Star: There's one thing I
must say for Charley" said young Mrs.
Ferkins. land that is that he has a won.
werful talent for economy. suggested
yesterday that we could save a considerable
amount OF money II he would quit amols.