Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-26

lie sentiment. and they are permitted by
their own army and navy. but they are al
liberty to print anything they choose about
tire enemy. AS result. Japan 10 being
wonderfully educated as to Russia, while
Il remains woefully ignorant Of itself ex-
cept when q victory Is announced. Pictures
of Russian battle ships I'LL all the papers.
encyclopedia information about the Slav IS
given by the column. and facts are ingenu-
ously and amazingly distorted. one paper
gravely declaring that the Russians were
never known to win battle.
Like Baron De Rosen. 49,
The only good Russian in the minds Of
the Jap editors Is Baron de Rosen. the Rus
sian minister formerly at the mikado's
court. His conduct during the negotiations
preceding the war has won him a warm
spot In the hearts Of the Japanese. II Rus
STA is ever compelled to sue for peace. she
would do well to arrange terms through
Baron de Rosen. He would undoubtedly
be able to secure more concessions from the
Jap statesmen than any other Russian.
lien Island Is sivins the Japs much delight.
1t Is to the effect that the Russian exiies
on the island are secretly working to rise
at the first opportunity. and together with
the jap fishermen there, who number sew
eral thousand. endeayor to win the island
for Japan. The conspirat0rs are trusting
for reduction OF the guard. owing to the
necessity of soldiery at the front.
Japan has never forgiven Russia for
practically robbing her of this island max
ing her exchange It. In the days OF her
weakness. for the Insignificant Kurile is
lands to the eastward. Hence the rejoic-
ing that this bit Of news Is causing among
the populace, which Is already clamoring
for Saghalien Island as q part OF the spells
OF war when Russia comes hufnbly to sue
for the best possible terms.
They Fear Disgrace.
The government Is not experiencing the
slightest difficulty in raising fits war loan.
Its only trouble Is going to be to place It
among the Jealous subscribers SO that as
few people as possible will feel they are
disgraced because they have not been al
lowed to subscribe. The Japanese are con-
hnually feeling themselves disgraced over
such matters. A case in point Is that Of a
soldier of the third division OF the impe-
rial body guard. who was ordered home by
the surgeons because Of a serious physical
defect.
II don't want to go back" he protested.
81 have had a big farewell feast. viii
be disgraced II go back. II can't be of
any use in the army. behead me on the
spot. Death is sweeter than disgrace"
Voluntary contributions to the war will.
however. provide way for the ''disgraced'
their shoulders. Thousands Of yen have
been poured into the governments war
chest in this way in the last few days. The
Buddhist temples even are receiving con-
tributions-an unusual proceeding for them.
and which they did not do during the
Japan-China war. Mass meetings are also
being held In tho temples. and the priests
are tanning the war spirit with all the re-
sources In their power.
The Heigf Kwai, Tokyo's leading native
club IL also raising war fund. It has
secured promises from hundreds Of mer-
chants to give ten sen a day during the
Of he ND re 0nh for
getting five sen a day from children under
ten years OF age is also materially swelling
the fund. Arrangements are also being
perfected to take care OF the families OF
soldiers who may need assistance while
their heads are away, or in the event Of
death. From the country districts great
quantities Of rice are being sent in as the
contributions of the farming class.