The Irish standard., 1905-03-18
War CORRESPONDENTS VIEWS.

IL WOulu De wen tAllleilCiuS Ill Sell-
eral could appreciate the situation in
the far East as it really exists. 1t is
doubtful whether there would then be
so much japanese sympathy as there
is at the present time. Unconsciously
and without any apparent reason the
American people as whole have talk
en- the side Of Japan in the present con-
test This partisanship was for the
most part created by the public press,
which in turn was influenced by the
considerat lions of trade relationship. In
recent years Americans have brought
themselves to believe that they were to
become immensely rich from Oriental
trade. Never was an idea of CONNER
cial wealth more potent than this one.
There exists in this country today the
same opinion toward Japan and China
that actuated Europe at the time of
the Crusadcs. We are to become
wealthy by teaching China and Japan
to use the articles that we manufacture
and by compelling them to trade with
us. Our preferences as Il nation for
Japan today arise almost without eX-
ception from the idea that we are to
derive benefits in the future through
trade relations with that country. And
thus we. Il Christian nation, applaud
and urge ON a conflict which is destroy
ing hundreds of thousands of lives. We
countenance Il struggle that is directly
contrary to the principle in which we
profess to believe. They tell us that
Russia is Il monster, unspeakable and
intOlerable; and yet, this same Russia
States during the Civil war at time
when England was aiding the Confed
eracy. The prevalent opinion in this
country on the issues in the Far East
are different from those Of the peo-
pie who are upon the ground. In n
recent issue of the Tribune Stanley
WaShburn. Il war correspondent to the
Chicago News, gave a notable inter-
view. He has been with one of the
Japanese armies and consequently has
had an opportunity to form views more
correct than those created by hostile
and prejudiced press. He says among
other things:
II am not the most cnthus-
iastic admirer of the Japanese
character eXtant. think l know the
Jap as well as anyone could on short
acquaintance, and my knowledge Of
him has been gained from countless
talks with others as well as by per-
sonal contact. You cannot know a
Japanese very well, and too often you
find him insincere, deceitful and Il
postmaster at prevarication." This
is the opinion of an American who
has been with the Japanese in the
field and is hardly in keeping with the
exalted opinions that most Americans
have Of the little brown man. Mr..
Washburn says that as fighter the
japanese soldier has no superior. His
physique is fitted for the greatest en-
durance upon the minimum ration. He
can subsist and fight for long time
upon a handful Of rice and little
dried fish. He is small and compact
! thus differing from the bulky Russian
AS fighting man he is Of the highest
| type for he has no fear and his charac
| ter is permeated by stoicism which
enables him to fight without any
thoughts of the things of this world
or the next. Mr.. Washburn is of the
opinion that those Americans who
have been dreaming of vast Orienta
trade are likely to be rudely surprised
He is of the opinion that Japan vii
herself furnish to China all the manu-
features and food products that tho
Americans now hope to furnish. The
lap will furnish the brains and John
Nhinaman the raw material and cheal
abor, and against this combination
here is no chance for the American
n the Orient. 1t would be just retri
,ution to England and America, who
have been more or less responsible IL