Los Angeles herald., 1905-06-18
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by birth, but his wife is of one Of the
old noble families.
Admiral Togo's Stoicism
An incident, incredible as 1t may
seem to the American reader who
knows nothing of "Bushido," that
strange Oriental philosophy of chival-
ry, stocism, sacrifice and fanatical de-
votion to duty, illustrates well the COM
posite character of this many-sided
man. On receiving his appointment to
the supreme command of the Japanese
fleet, Admiral Togo on his way from
the naval depot at Maizuru to his new
post visited his home, but remained
there only three days. Then, despite
his suffering from severe cold, he
hastened on to do the mikado's bid
ding, remarking naively 81 always get
well at sea- On board his flagship,
the MilSasa, then lying at Sasebo, he
was visited by his daughter some days
later.
Still pale from his recent illness, he
appeared contented and calm. No evil
dent emotion marked his parting with
the girl, though he is a most affection
ate father and devoted husband.
When she asked him if he had any
message to send to his home, this was
his reply:
Nothing in particular. Tell them
that l am we'll and happy, and that
they must not distract my mind by
sending letters from home while I am
away
Then this man of seeming contradic-
tions pointed to swarthy officer who
was busily drilling his men on the deck
and told Arimura that he was Prince
Higashi Fushimi
He wanted no letters from home and
he had parted from wife and sons to
embark upon an errand that carried
the menace of sudden death in every
breath of the ocean breeze!
One might think this evidence of a
callous soul devoid of emotion or af-
fection, were it not that this same Togo
loves flowers and was moved to tears
by the singing of patriotic song. 1t
was only the natural outcropping of
| that Samurai trait which holds duty
1
to country paramount to every other
obligation. The man intrusted with a
nations fate in its hour of awful tra-
vail merely sought to put behind him
all those gentler memories which might
unman him for the grim task ahead.
The japanese who goes to war invaria-
bly, goes prepared for immolation on his
country's altar and it is part of his
cult that in going he display no un-
seemly emotion.
No Letters From Home
During all his thrashing sea cam
paigns Admiral Togo has received no
letters from home and he has written
none. His wife and family are living
quietly, prepared always for the worst.
but ever hoping for the best. After
the fall of Port Arthur and while the
war worn ships were reftting at Sase-
bo for their new death grapple with
Rojestvensky the Japanese admiral fled
from the plaudits Of grateful emper-
or and populace and rejoined his dear
ones for a time. When duty called
again the second parting was like the
first.
His family have dismissed all the
household servants and do the drudg-
cry of housekeeping themselves. This
is, of course. not because of poverty.
but "Bushido," or the so-called "Soul
of Japan" teaches that while dear
ones are enduring uncommon stress or
hardship luxury and ease are unseem-
ly to those who stay at home. In ex-
emplification OF this doctrine the en-
peror himself last winter is said to
have denied himself fire during much
of the time that his devoted troops were
facing the icy blasts Of ManchurIa.