The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-19
F. A. Mckenzie in London Mail.

Tokio.-Japanese music is Won
derful thing, and the airs of Japanese
songs sometimes remind one OF the
old, droning psalm tunes still sung
in those remote villages of the Scottish
Highlands, where "man-made hymns
are regarded as profane and worldly.
But apart from music-Which, after
all, is a matter Of personal and ma
tional taste-the Japanese song IS TO
be taken seriously as the great vehicle
for proclaiming popular sentiment.
The Japanese government makes
the expression of public opinion by
the means favored in England diff
cult. Freedom of speech is severely S
limited. There are many daily papers,
Toxic alone boasting, believe, OF over
twenty; but they are now under the
strictest censorship. A few days since
even the correspondents of the for
eign press were summoned to the po-
lice headquarters at Yokohama and
warned In the most solemn fashion
of the penalties they would incur
should they disseminate information
which the authorities wished sup
pressed One Toxic editor has just
been brought before the courts for a
supposed transgression. The rights
Of English newspapers are as much
limited as those Of the native press.
In clden times the Anglo-Japanese pa
with the abolition of extraterrltorla!-
ity it has had to come into line with
the native press.
The Street Rhymesters.
But while the government can
watch the press, it cannot so easily
control popular songs. Not an event
happens here of any importance but
the street rhymesters lay hold of it,
versify it and give it tune. The
prospects of war have produced great
crop of songs. Some of these are so
outspoken that the government mas
! forbidden their further publication.
The rule has been now established that
while the two countries are in state
of peace, no songs directly denounclng
| the empire of the car are to go 1ortn.
But songs attacking no one in par
ticular can still be chanted, and the
| individual is allowed to imagine whom
| they are aimed at.
Here is nice, simple old song, now
sung by children, and enjoying much
| popularity. Please imagine party OF
! in those bright clothes which in Japan
are largely confined to children, sing
ing it:
| 4 KILL!
| Kill! Kill! Kill!
| Kill until the sword breaks.
| Kill! Kill! Kill!
| -s KILL!
| Here is another, in similar strain:
Revenge! Revenge!
How cheerful and happy are we.
We have conquered the enemy.
We have killed them all. ..
How joyous! How cheerful!
Well kill all our mikados enemies a;
! we'll.
Our emperor, our nation, our parents,
They are all waiting for our triumph
Bravo, flag of the Rising Sun. as yol
shake your folds in the air.
The Desperate Japs.
Another song, on an "Old Battle
field" touches pathetic strain, the
sword with the frost glistening on it
the silence Of the dead, the lonely
grasses waving over the graves like
the old flag. ''These die" it con-
cludes, .'but the names of the heroes
who persisted on the field will survive
thru eternity"
/ Most of the songs make reference tc
the Japanese flag, and the emblem Of
the nation. the Rising Sun, is used by
the poets in hundred ways to typlfy
how Japan is rising over and conquer.
ing the world.
/ Death is commonly spoken Of as g
desirable thing, when it comes in the
performance Of duty. Don't mine
whether it is death or life; obey the