Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-09-30
BISHOP GALLOWAY In JAPAN,

blNHUP GhLLUWAI In JAPAN,
Bishop Galloway, one of America's 's
foremost divines, aud for the past
twenty years leading figure in the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
is now presiding over the mission
conferences of his church in China,
Japan and Korea. lie is writing of
war conditions there, and as this is
his third trip to the Far East he is
admirably equipped to write on the
conflict now in progress. Bishop
Galloway's first letter deals with the
martial spirit of the people of Japan,
extracts from which follow:
This is my third visit to Japan.
The streets and people look so fa-
miliar that it seems l have been away
only few weeks instead of nearly two
years. But two things impress me-
the crowds are not in the streets as
formerly, and there is an expression
of deep seriousness on every face.
Evidently there has been heavy
drafts of the reserves of the front.
The losses in killed and wounded
and from sickness have undoubtedly
been large. There are possibly
thirty thousand sick and wounded
ia the hospitals of the country.
About the streets and people there
is an air of almost mysterious
seriousness. They are not the laugh
ing, merry, cbatty Orientals that so
facinates the foreigner on his frs.
visit. Though the men 90 about
their work or business, it is with a
quiet persistent patience, as though
the whole nation was engaged in
some serious, if not painful enter
prise. Every ear is eager for news,
and every heart seems burdened with
some awful personal responsibility.
This is war of the whole nation,
not of the government. / doubt if
there is a disloyal soul in the empire.
On the other hand it is said of the
Russians that this is ga war of the
Grand Dukes"-not of the people.
Every Japanese is eager for active
service. And the more dangerous
the service, the more 1t is coveted.
1t is counted the highest honor to
be allowed to enlist for the front.
The passionate patriotism of these
people is Japan's greatest asset in
this war. 1t counts far more than
Russian roublrs or millions of men.
The nation is fighting for its exis-
!ence, so they think. MANY stories
come to me of the cheerful and un-
requited labor rendered by the peo-
pie. Down at Hiroshima, when the
armies are mobalized and take ship
for Manchuria, the whole city keeps
open house. And the same is true
of Kobe and other cities when the
soldiers tarry for few days. Every
home in Hiroshima has had from
two to fifteen soldiers at time.
The women cook night and day. 1t
Is said that many have become so
exhausted that they fall asleep if
they sit down for a moment to rest,
and yet nobody complains. They
count that as their glad part in serv-
ing their Emperor.
In all this movement of soldiers.
and their entertainment in private
homes where the barracks were over
crowded, not single case of bad
conduct has been charged. They
have acted with almost perfect pro-
priety. Unlike European and other
soldiers, the Japanese are never bois-
ferrous, rowdyish or overbearing. In
toxication is not allowed, and is
almost unknown. They are abso-
lutely obedient to rigid discipline.
Just few days ago the emperor
did generous thing which evidences
the spirit of the nation. On the
transport. Maros, sunk by the Rus
slams in the Korean strait, there were
three English officers gong over to
study the field operations. Their
families have received generous
grants from the Japanese govern
ment. Captain Campbell's family
receives 5000 yens, the amount
given the family of Japanese Major
General killed in action, while Mr..
Glass family receives $500 yens,
and Mr.. Bishops 1000 yens. In
addition they are to receive certain
salary for thirty months. We need
not be surprised at the Japanese WIN
ming foreign sympathy, when such
national and tender consideration is
displayed.
have made diligent inquiry as to
the resources of Japan. The opin-
ion is often expressed that the nation
will soon become financially ex.
hausted, that every days continuance
of the war is favorable to the Rus.
slams. No doubt the strain upon
this country is very great, and but
for its patriotism, which has all the
sacredness of sacrament, and all
the power of a passion, the odds
would be against the Japanese. But
they will submit to increased taxable
burdens without a murmur, the
women will take the places on the
little farms made vacant by the men
called to the front, and the last dol
lar of every citizen freely surrendered
before they will see their flag GO
down in defeat. | have gathered
many facts that assure me of the ma.
tion's desperate purpose.