The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-13
copyright, 1904. by Golfers weekly.l

Copyright, 1904, by Golfers Weekly.l
KOBE, Japan, April 3.-Never was
parting guest more happy to get away;
never was parting guest more heartily
and sincerely sped. With the correspond
ents Of the first contingent actually going,
the hopes OF the second and the third rose
to the dignity OF expectations. They gath
cred at Shimbashi station with tin horns
and gave the chosen few an Anglo-Saxon
cheer. For over two months some of us
have waited for official passes to join the
Japanese army in the field Now that we
have the treasure it is not much to look at
only a slip of paper which would go into
the average size envelope. BY rights, it
should be on vellum. with marginal deco
rations of storks standing on one leg and
an inscription of summa cum laude for pa
thence in fourishes. Our thoughts, how
ever, are not on such trivialities. They are
entirely on how much each little pass will
permit to see.
THE Japanese were absolutely prepared
for this war and all possible contingencies
save ONE said a secretary of legation In
Toxic. They overlooked the coming of
small army of correspondents represent
ing the public opinion Of two great friendly
nations. whose good will it is to Japan's
interest to court"
Nearly a hundred foreigners, used to en-
tirely different food and conditions of life
from the natives, turned hotel into bar
racks, and with persistent address asked
for privileges from the Foreign Office. In
time such a force can wear even the Jap
anese smile of politeness down to a studied
grimace. We had and have the conviction
that the army would like to follow the
navy's suit and permit no correspondents
at all with its force Had much been
said at first, then we could have gone home
feeling that If Japan had broken away
Wae her OF ag age OF ve
millions of dollars, the national aims at
stake were hers, and we came only by
courtesy as foreigners. What was wear
ing on our nerves was the week by week
You may go very soon." We were told,
so near was our experimentation six
weeks ago or last week-that ii would be
we waited and waited until candor took the
place of our suavity, and the japanese
smile. suddenly broadening into its old sun
nineSS, said that il was really very early
for us to start, but there was something to
see already, and If We wished We might go.
So the rampant curiosity of the spoiled
children of the press, grateful for small ia.
vors, may al last feed itself on the sight of
a Japanese soldier really marching toward
an enemy In disputed land. A pitched
battle is not expected for fully another
month yet, If not for two months.
For two weeks Mr.. Yokoyamas ship has
been in readiness at Kobe. 1t was to have
sailed on the 21st of March When this date
was announced we were temporarily quite
| pacified. A week passed, and while Yoko-
| yama's ship waited only the very SOON
| came from the general staff The smile met
| the increasing impatience-for each out
| burst was worse than the one before-with
| the polite, the deferential query whether
| we would not prefer to go on transport
| rather than on our chartered vessel. Pos
| sbly the smile foresaw division and dis
| cussion. But were the chosen few, who had