New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-09-11
JAPANESE PATRIOTISM.

Japans brilliant success in her war with
Russia is one of the greatest surprises Of the
century, and it is no wonder that Europe and
America are now beginning TO ask seriously,
What is the secret Of that success?
The story of the awakening Of Japan by
Commodore Perry's visit and her rapid ABSORB
ton of the best results of Western civilization
is without parallel in history. Japan herself
has been unstinted in her acknowledgment of
her debt TO Western civilization. America and
Europe have heretofore looked upon this prog
ress complacently, much a teacher looks
upon the rapid progress of a bright pupil Re-
Gently, however. there has been a change in
this attitude. and now Western nations are be-
ginning TO ask themselves whether after all,
il is not possible for them also to learn some
thing of Japan, and whether the debt Of the
latter to the Occident is really as great as has
hitherto been supposed. On the latter point
Professor Perry, president of the American In
stitute of Electrical Engineers in Great Britain.
in recent interview in The New-YOrk Times"
expresses some startling views Instead OF
Japan being as we have been accustomed to
consider the intellectual child of Europe and
America, Professor Perry says: Nothing can
'be further from the truth. Japan is about a
thousand years in advance of England, and,
Il fear, OF America, too. 1t Is a question
whether we shall ever catch up
Professor Perry cOmbats the prevalent idee
that the japanese are merely clever imitators.
and gives examples from his OWN experience In
university teaching in proof Of his statement
that they originators, strikingly prone 10
original investigation" and that common sense
and subtlety and seriousness are characteristics
of the japanese mind. Coming from an edu-
Gator whose facilities for knowing whereof
he speaks have been exceptional this view of
the japanese is certainly one worthy of at
tention.
Perhaps in no other respect are the Japanese
more widely different from Western peoples
than in their patriotism which has been so
strikingly shown in the present war A writer
in THE London Times" recently placed this
difference in n striking light. Commenting
upon the differences between British and jap
anese patriotism, he asked:
What would he thought in Great Britain II
one were to meet the father OF a young man
just killed in action, and were to congratulate
him on his sons death for his country, they
do in Japan, and have. no doubt done in Eng
landE / am afraid it would not be prudent.
The spirit is not there. and until we go through
the fre and learn 70 give death its proper value
we shall remain so clogged with prudence as TO
be apparently afraid. Let us teach our chill
dren, in school and out. that it is a glorious
thing TO die for England. and perhaps i'm time
we may return to our old IDEAS the tempera-
ment of the Japanese in this war, who mark a
position for capture, reckon up and allow for
the loss, then carry the work at the bayonet
point; who work in silence. as was once our
won't. and who take pride in the death OF their
sons who have been fortunate enough to die for
Japan.
How has Japan acquired this spirit which
reminds the student of history of the antique
world-of the spirit OF the noblest Spartans
and Romans, but without their consuming
passion for glory and conquest? The answer
may be, when fully given and understood
point for departure in civic and ma
tional Ideals In Europe and America A writer
In The Nineteenth Century and After" re-
Gently undertook TO explain how patriotism
has become a religion In Japan and how jap