The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-10
BY OSCAR K. DAVIS.

copyright, 1904, New York Herald0
TOKYO, Japan, March 20.-If you
really care to understand the character
of the japanese people, to know some
thing about their mainsprings of ac-
ton, you must possess an infinite pa
thence and a very Jealous persistence.
They are far from being an open book.
1t is not merely that they hide them
selves behind the we'll known mask of
Orientalism, which Occidentals rarely
penetrate, but there is something more.
The mask they wear is meant to de-
fend them against the prying curiosity
of their own people as we'll as against
foreigners. Not even to friends do they
freely reveal themselves. 1t is only
when the wells of the spirit are sound
ed and the deepest waters are troubled
that emotion finds relief in outward
show-that is, emotion whose mani
festation might affect others unpleas-
antly-SadneSS, trouble or deep grief.
Bushido would have repressed it even
under the most trying circumstances,
but not even "bushido" can wholly
turn a warm hearted human being into
a horse, and, after all, the japanese are
human. with blood that is red and
hearts that leap just the same as some
more demonstrative people we know.
1t would not be strange If the average
man who had observed them in Tokyo
during the last two months should be-
gin to doubt that. There has been so
much repression Of the natural feelings,
such a putting down Of the safety
valves of joy and sorrow, as at times to
have been uncanny.
"BUSHIDO," THE SAMURAI CODE.
One must have studied "bushido"
well to grasp the full significance of
these last few weeks. 'Bushido'-it
means literally military knight ways
was the teachings of the Samurai the
precepts of the chivaIry that lost it's
commanding grip on Japan hardly a
generation ago. "Bushido" was the in
carnation Of loyalty and the soul of
honor. The 100000 Samurai who fol-
lowed its instructions impressed their
ways upon the whole people. 1t was
force that continued after the institu-
ton 1t ruled was dead. 'Bushido" to
day is a vital factor in Japanese life,
and although It's once mastering in
fluence may have begun to waver, it is
still sufficient explanation of the as
tonishing emotional repressions Of the
last two months; for politeness was
and is a "sine qua non" Of gentleness,
and to show grief or pain or any I'M
pleasant emotion might awaken similar
unhappy feelings in the breast of the
observer and then would be not only
unfortunate, but most impolite. 1t was
that conception Of politeness which
made a man announce the death of his
dearest relative or friend with bright
eyes and a smile on his face.
1t is that power and habit of conceal
ing the real feelings said a japanese
to me yesterday, (which has made 9TH
er peoples fail to understand US. Even
their diplomatists have failed to I'M
derstand us. think if it had not been
so we should not now be at war with
Russia
My friend had taken me to a theater
to see the new war play and it was a
remark of mine about the acting which
provoked his comment. The play itself
was a curious hOdge-podge, without
plot. all beginning and apparently no
end. 1t may be going yet, for all ]
know. | sat through five hours of it
and there was not even the beginning
of development of plot and no sign of
approaching termination. But there
were some things of extraordinary in
terest about it and many worth see
Ing. 1t was the frank revelation OF