The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1904-03-16
- THEIR AC o
ME MEUN M thDA \


somewhat aloof from them, for we
never hear Of their wish to mutilate
the feet Of women or to adOrn them
selves with the bigtail. These fmi-
tative Japanese demurred at the idea
Of adopting Chinese fashions in dress
or Of smoking opium. This same avidi-
y Of mind appeared in their initiative
adoption Of European civilization. 1t
also appeared at the outbreak of any
strife. even between daimo and daimO;
NJ the outbreak of the Meiji war, 1867
in the Saga rebellion 1874, etc. the
Japanese IS rebelltous to restraint, II
victorous in his rapid, first movements
re becomes boastful and wants to
aqht at once again: if defeated he lies
Town or commits harakiri. In a dis
-~bcnce where continued effort is re-
Gutred to obtain his end his persistence
gradually faes, and he becomes tired
out very quickly. For the moment,
though, his first activity is superb.
This is peculiarly Japanese.
The whole problem Of Japanese civil
lization is contained in the question OF
their physical stamina. They have not
yet raised themselves above the level
Cf a rice eating nation. Defective de-
velopment and growth is the regular
type of the physical formation of the
Japanese race.
Bosquet deplored that in spite Of
strenuous endeayors the japanese gov
I To
anese farmer that there were besides
rice other products which might be of
use to the people. Rice remains. then,
the chief putriment Of the whole race.
Their nutrimeut being insufficient we
cannot consider them as strong ami
| energetic enough to lastiDgly meet i'll
creased claims on their physical pow
ers The old inveterate Chinese moth
oil of learning by rote and not by Intel
Iigeucc, the inability for abstract rea-
soniny and combining, tie total want
of healthy skcptiCisln, make us doubt
their ability to cope with eXigencies OF
q new situation or one not marked out
on the map by some superior race for
them. A Teutonic O" AHgl0-SaXOn
brain viii be fp0uu at work behind eV-
cry action OF the Japanese today, aS
the Chinese brain was behind every
Improvement III Japan for the past
centuries.
! We must also take into account some
| physical imperfeCtions. All Japanese
/ patients are bad hceders; they With
! stand even moderate loss OF blood bad
/ ly; they quickly succumb to surgical
shock following even slight injuries.
| The growing man in Japan of seven
| teen to twenty-five years old, which is
! the age of superabouEding energies
with us, is weakly-a cautiously 5rop-
ing, tame, old looking person. lie has
| a decided disposition to nervous dis
eases, especially muscular mysteries,
! due to his CnreaSoning Sensuality. Old
age appears early in Japan. A Japa-
nese quickly collapses in any crisis;
his nerve quickly deserts him.
The rice eaters dilated stomach and
intestine interfere with enduring Ia
| Dor. Watch n japanese labOrer or me-
| ,chanic At his work. He cannot persist
at it. but every half hour ne must stop,
| sit down to rest or to smoke his pipe
or drink his miserable tea, with which
! his abused stomach is kept filed
| When meal time comes round the Jap
+ anese gorges himself with tubful of
! clutinous rice, crowding it into his
! wide open mouth from the side of his
! bowl, examining it down with chop
sticks, a whole peck Of it, which he
swallows unmasticated. It is the eX-
cessive tea drinking and oberburden of
rice that produce the palpitating heart
so constant with every class of Japa-
! nese.