The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-01-13
AFTER THE sURREHDRR.


AFTER THE SURRENDER.
The Louisville Courier journal calls
attention TO the following in. eresting
historical facts:
1T the programme aDpounced fol- the
formal ceremonies marking the Occu-
patton OF Port Arthur by the triumph
ant v1ctors he Carried out, il will add
another distinction to the 6th OF Jan
uaIy, made 80 glorious in American
annals by Gen. Jackson's victory at
New Orleans. On that day. II has
bean announced. the prisoners having
meanwhile been removed 10 Dalny. the
commercial port near by. for disposal
in accordance with the terms OF the
surrender. the japanese forces viii
make triumphant entry and celebIste,
with Appropriate ceremonies. the great
victory achieved by them. From all
the accounts giving the details of the
surrender, from the receipt of Ger.
StoesssI's first flag of truce to the pres
emit, the conduct of the japanese has
been marked not only by courtesy and
magnanimity. but by the observance
Of all the technicalities observed under
similar conditions by the most civilized
n ItIons.
Whenever in modern history there
have occurred capitulasions, no matter
how bloody the antagonism preceding
them, there have been similar exhibition
with desire to spare the csptives un-
necessary humiliation, treating them
with all courtesy, ministering to their
sufferings or necessities, and for the
time restoring former friendly relations
between the combatants. 1t was thus
at the surrender Of Corn wallis to Wash
ington at Yorktown, of Lee to Grant at
Appomattox, and OF Lewis Napoleon to
King William Of Germany at Sedan
The preliminaries OF sach were sin
gularly alike. The surrendering forces
had exhausted all effort and were re-
duced to extremities.
"a comparison OF the terms and de-
tails of the surrender at Port Arthur
with those at Appomattox, saving the
different relations Of the combatants
will show accord in the essential feat
ures of the consideration given the
prisoners. The officers were permitted
TO retain their side arms and private
property. At Appomattox both officers
and priyates were paroled, not to take
up arms again unless exchanged, the
war being evidently near its close. Al
| Port Arthur the officers were permitted
to elect whether they would take pa
role, with permission to return to Rus
, sia, not again to serve in the war. or Il
become prisoners. There being nt
cartel Of exchange. the privates are tt
remain prisoners of war and to be sen
to Japan, where they will fare bettei
doubtless than il sent home. 1t is stat
ed that OF nearly one thousand officers
; captured only about eighty have elect
ed 10 avail themselves OF the privilege o.
returning home This may excit'
surprise and be ascribed to valorou'
! sentiment But there are other mor'
practical grounds tor their election
A trip to Russia at this season eithe
by sea or overland would entail mucl
1 hardship, and after the long priyatiol
Q endured at Port Arthur, sojourn IL
: the more temperate climate of Japai
. under the humane treatment whIcl
s they know awaits them, would b
preferable. Besides, with the an
i nouncement that Gen. Stoessel is to be
court martialed on his return to st
Petersburg, it is natural that the
should feel less disposition to return
y It is probable also that those VIII
:, have elected to 60 are officers of hlghe
rank and more closely associated witt
the commanding General in the siege
> whose testimony will tend to sustal
his Official acts AS to the court-mal
tial, 1t is not to be taken too seriously
In our land and naval forces. upon tn
occurrence of disaster, the commandln
officer, generally at his ow1 request
Is subjected to q coari OF inquiry fol
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