Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-01
The Unwritten Code Of Honor
in the Military Service.
SURVIVAL OF BUSHIDO
FOR THE ARMY AND
THE NAVY.
Academy Copied From Ours at Annap-
olis-Social Rank Of the Officers
Age Of the Generals.
BY WILLIAM L. CURTIS.

Chicago Record Herald.
AT SEA August 1, 1904.
1t is agreed by all observers that such
heroism. GOODNESS and determination as the
Japanese have shown in Observation-Disclosures
ly and collectively-has never been surpass-
ed in modern times. The charge OF the
Light Brigade and Pickett's assaults upon
Cemetery Hill at Gettysburg have stood In
litera ture as ideals of military heroism ana
determination. but. from the brief matter
of fact reports received from commanding
officers it is evident that both have been
repeated and surpassed several times by
the japanese army, and in deeds that will
remain forever unrecorded and unSung. AT
the battle of Kinchou. for example. the
Japanese drove the Russians back after a
desperate hand-to-hand encounter and the
last cartridge had been taken from their
ammunition belts. At the battle Of Nam
shan the Japanese charged the fortified po-
sition of the Russians nine successive times
in the face of a torrent of lead. and in
their last assault carried the forts and
trenches with the bayonet. leaving $500
dead and wounded on the field.
The death rolls in the present war have
been greater than in any other previous
war in proportion to the number of troops
engaged. The killed on the Japanese side
during the first six months exceeded 5000.
Up to the LIST of July .3J5 officers and
sailors of the japanese navy had been kill
ed or drowned which is unprecedented. If
l remember correctly only two men were
killed in the United States navy during the
Spanish war.
Oscar X. Davis and other correspondents
in the Japanese army have eulogZed the
GOODNESS, valor and determination of the
Japanese and the military attaches have
expressed their admiration in cold but
viucing terms. Yet full justice will never
O n tory
perts who have been fortunate enough to
see some of the fighting. says: 1.-The Japan
csc will never know when they are whipped.
They will all be dead first
What "Bushido" Required.
The same spirit that inspired the sailors
of the blockading squadron at Port Arthur
pervades the entire army, and when we in
quire as to the origin of this remarkable
national characteristic which refuses to-
turn it's back upon the foe and looks death
coolly and calmly in the face. we are told
that it is due to ''bushido,'' solid founda-
ton of moral and physical training which
has been going on from generation to gen.
Grafton for hundreds Of years.
"Bushido" is an unwritten code of knight
ly honor that governed the bushi. samu-
raj. the military class of JAPAN which prac-
ucaly ruled the country until thirty-seven
years ago. "Bushido'' required the Japan
to train his body into physical perfec-
spirit, to despise cowardice, to face humil-
iation bravely, and to give his life to his
emperor whenever it was required of him
Whatever may have been the defects and
vices of the ancient clans of Japan. they
certainly developed to a remarka BILE degree
such eminent virtues as courage coolness
fortitude, endurance and loyalty. To the
samurai or military class. "bushido" was a
religion Their boys began training at five
years of age. Their days were devoted to
physical exercise and literary studies and
q 1fv,er To-,
of the heroes of their nation. Every in
ducement offered them to initiate the
national ideals, to develop their physical
strength and their moral stamina and to
practice self-control Dsloyalty and cow
ardice were sins objectionable
Various methods were adopted to encour-
age the young men in the development of
manly qualities. Examinations contests
and tournaments were frequent; valuable
rewards were offered, and the moral tone of
the organization was maintained and cuIti-
waited as much skill in wrestling archery
and fencing. Every year prizes were Of
Tered for the composition of essays deScrib-
Ing acts of heroism and the brave deeds of
famous warriors and similar subjects were
discussed at every gathering. This train
Ing began almost with the founda ton of the
empire and was carried on for nearly TWEEN
ty-fve hundred years. Loyalty to the mas
ter, GOODNESS in danger, fair play in fighting
hdelity to every obligation hospitality,
truthfulness. courage. patience uncomplain-
Ing endurance and frugality were the fun
damental principles of the ethics of the
chlVdlry of Japan, and the effect upon the
character and life of the nation must al
ways be felt