The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-10-23

vX Is IT. that he who Knows how
IYYSEN5I to fight and does night like a
0gASD lion In battle Is capable Of ex-
pressing the tendcrest OF sentiments?
What Is tho moral code OF Japan7 why
ls 1t that tho Japanese soldiers do not
seem TO caro- for their lives at all, but
attack ,!,eir enemy with reckless daring
which surrasses that OF any other SOL
dler? Is II his religion which teaches him
contempt OF denth7
These are questions which nm asked
to answer every day, anu | shall In thesc
lines try to lay clear TO my readers the
main traits OF the chnra cter OF tho Jap.
anese.
First az all owe II 10 my countrymen,
who are fighting 80 bravcly against the
armies Of the Gear, 10 state en,rhntically
that 1t Is not contempt OF death taught
BY Buddhism which makes them ready to
lay down their lives for their country al
any time.
The principal OF Japanese eth,c. are
nowhere better expressed than in m Int
pcrial decree, which Il, 1890 was sent 10
nll Japanese school teachers. The MI
kado on this calls the attention 81 the
teachers to the fac. TIM the rules which
he gives in the Official decree nre the
very same which hls ancestors for CEN
turtles tried to implart IN their subjects,
which have been recognized MS the fundn-
mental principles OF ethics In Japan for.
many generations. Tho most important
paragraph OF this Imperial decree reads:
ut Is or wish that you, our loyal sub.
iects, Mt all times honor and obey your
parents and love your brothers and Sis
ters. Man and wife should live together
IN peace and love. Be faithful to your
friend. Practice self-sacrlnce and self
possession.
& BE Just and honest in all your deal.
inEs. BE mercful DO what you can to
help science and cducation. Be peace
loving
3"Elucate your minds and try to reach
perfection in everything.
Always think Of the commonweal and
spread light onong your ne!ghbors by
good deeds Watch over the constitution
OF The country and obey its laws.
S''Be ready to sacrifice all. your life YOUR
property. when danger threatens your,
country Always rem ember tha YOU e. owe
your country everything. and that you
should exert all your influence to further.
It's interests"
In giving these rules the Mikado SOL,
cmniy promised to keep them himself
and made the snme promise for his sue
cessor
This decree OF the Aflkndo Ia read to the
children in all the schools OF japan on the
three great national HOLIDAYS. January l.,
February ii and the l1ikado's birthday.
Religion is not taught in the japanese
public schools as the instruction OF It
has ALWAYS been left to the parents. but
every child must attend the public schools
regularly and IS only excused in cases
when It is absolutely necessary, md how
strictly this Is adhared TO is proved by the
statistics from 1901 to 1902. which show
that during that year 57eo,a2s children
(3,117,4se boys. and 2,543.4O g!rls) attended
the public schools regularly, while the
total number Of children who for some
reason or other did not attend was only
81. &c.
It is thetsypung men who have been
educated in these schools who are now
nghting in Mnnchur!n, and tits absolutely
unjust to Gneak Of them, as has often
been done in both the European and
American press. rs fenatical barbarians.
1t Is also a. great mistake to- think that
they do not value their lives It all.
The japanese soldier values his slife as
highly as The soldier of my other nation,
hut he would never think Of hesitating
when asked to sacrifice 1t for his country
or Emperor, because he has always been
taught that duty and honor demands that
liz be ready to sacrifice 1t when his coun-
try Is, in danger. 8&
Special rules are laid down for the edi-
cation Of soldiers and sailors in an I'm
per!al decree issued in 1882, which reads
{ In part: s95 EN- s}l3 M
know. therefore. soldiers, that we are
your supreme war lord You are our
arms and legs. and you must guard your
sovereign as you guard your heads and
necks. Only In this manner can the right
understanding between us exist. Whether
we shall be able to protect and guard our
empire and prove ourselves worthy OF the
blessings of Heaven and tho glorious
deeds of our ancestors depends upon
whether you fulfill your duties as soldiers.
II our glorious empire should crumble
into dust the disgrace will be yours. But