New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-05
JAPANESE CHARACTERISTICS.


And again Ignotus says: She Gapan) did not
Nhiten her face. She civilized her heart" How
does he know? He begs the whole question. Has
the Japanese changed his heart? No man who
knows Japan believes it, Japan is still the same
1nscrutable Asiatic. A man who has lived there
twenty years says:
They are an intensely secretve. astute and self
contained race very difficult understand because
OF the ineradicable difference between them and
ourselves. Between minds and the Japauese
there is always a curtain which they take care is
never lifted.
For myself may say that have not changed
my views one iota since 1 wrote my previous
aftcle. Not all the declarations by all the Jap
anese ministers in the world would make me
forget that the japanese is an Oriental proud
OF his race, ambitious and vain. and anxious
above all 10 place himself at the head of the
their chief.
l confess had expected TO see long before
thls japanese teachers scattered all over China
drilling and organizing the people so as rapidIv
10 bring real army of the undisciplined
mob. But so far nothing of this has appeared
ana II is probable that the Chinese statesmen
offered more resistance than I had expected TO
the temptations which assailed them either be-
cause they had not sufficient faith that the prof.
ect would succeed or because they feared Japan
might succeed too well and assume control OF
China. Perhaps Japan felt confident in her own
SKIN and courage, and determined to undertake
the nrst part Of the task alone when If sue
cessful against Russia she would be all the
more powerful against China. and be able TO do
with her what she chose.
had expected that the first demonstration OF
hostility to the West would take some such form
as the recent outbreak against Russia, for that
would put 10 rout any suspicious that might be
felt as TO the ultimate object. but I had not
thought Japan daring enough to attempt II
alone. l have maintained for the last wear or
TWO that war between Japan and Russia was a
necessity. and / have charged japanese states
men with blindness for not seeing that II was
matter Of life and death with them. and ac-
cused them Of foolishness for not taking steps
20 begin the struggle months ago. japan might
fail and be absolutely ruined by the war but
IL was certainly better 10 go down fighting than
be quietly strangled 10 death without having a
chance TO breathe, as would be the case If She
waited till Russia had completed her prepara-
tons- For II was evident 10 any one who had
eyes to see that Russia intended, after absorb
ing Corea. TO turn her attention to Japan whose
Industrious. frugal and at the same time war
like people would form an agreeable and useful
addition to her estate.
What is to be the end Of II now? We are
told never TO prophesy unless we know and
We certainly do not know. but it may be per-
mitted 10 express an opinion even IL Of not
much value beyond its theoretical basis
The handling Of their navy has shown great
skin and dash, astonishing the world, and It is
quite possible that their army may hold equal
surprises in reserve. writer Of note said be-
fore the Development OF the present issue.
Judged by any standard known TO US that army
must rank high. The campaigns Of 1ss4-'s5 might
serve as models IN a foreign. unknown and diffi-
field; the comInissarat and the medical DEPART
ments proved effective: the transportation of so
face OF a feet of eoual power; the men showed
endurance patience and courage: the officers ekll
GOODNESS and impetuosity in attack.
II IS true that there is small reference here
to lighting ability, but the soldierly qualities
brought out by the circumstances arc worth
OF note. and the Chinese though not to be con-
sioered as equal 10 the Russians, are not wholly
contemplate. They Will fight well If led and
IN 1900. when their troops were very inferior
10 what they had been, they turned back a Brit
Ssh admiral with foreign troops and held Tien-
Tsin against the allies.
One OF the most brilliant feats of the Chino
japanese War was the taking OF Ping-Yang
populous walled city on the Tadoag Ptver
1t had garrison OF Is 600 men, nearly eoual
IN number 20 the assailants armed with maya
zine Mauser rifles. and 81 was well fortified with
field and mountain guns The assault was most
picturesque; TO attempt 10 recount IL here v-ouId
carry us too far, but may mention The tat,
Ing Of the Gennu gate TO show the qualities M
courage and dash which We have attributed 10
the army. We quote from the narrative OF nm
Enzlishman:
The Gemnu gate the one nearest IN paor,
Mountain Colonel Sato tried st. after the
EEL. but the Chinese held the wall so well fhat ~
column recoiled before the AS troan'
fell back Lieutenant Mimura burning with sbs,nar
81 the repulse. shouted his men Who Will Co.,
with me 20 open that gateT' and at once T,lsLeg
toward the Gemnu gate. HaFada one of the sol
diers OF Mimura, then called out who yin ~ 81
80 quickly that only eleven other soldiers were al
TO Join them under the wall after "a ssjn- tro.I
ram or lead. Ai:nura and his small hand n
heroes found the gate too strong TO be forced 5,
Ihs Chinese we've busy airing IA front, keeping th