The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1905-06-07
Bureaucracy
BY Baron KENTARO KANEKO. japanese
to the United States

~1APAN at the beginning Of the twentieth century is in the
same position that England was at the beginning of the nine.
teenth century. England fought the military despotsm Of
Napoleon Bonaparte; JAPAN IS FIGHTING THE
DESPOTISM OF THE MUSCOVITE BUREAU
CRACY It was through the kindly advice of President Fillmore
of the United States that Japan opened her marts Of trade to the out
side world, through the kind messages of friendship brought to her
by Admiral Perry:
We have always stood for peace and humanity. We have
NEVER violated a single point in peaceful intercourse with any ma
ton of the world.
Why, then, did we fght9 At the end Of the war between China
and Japan, in 1s94-95, we acquired as spols of victory the Iiautong
peninsula-Damy and Port Arthur. Russia, then conniving with
Germany and France, and conniving with cannon and bayonet, pointed
at us, said: "The japanese occupation is a menace to the peace Of
Asia. YOU'LL have to clear out"
We had fought eleven months with China. 1t was not an easy
war; it was bitter and bloody. We lost many soldiers killed and
wounded, and our spois of victory were hard earned. But we did
clear out. We could not fight those three nations. And, besides, the
peace Of Asia was more valuable to us, a peace loving nation, than
the spois Of war.
But three years later Russia by means Of a secret treaty got a lease
Of Port Arthur for a naval base and for a terminus to a branch Of
her extending railways. They were not satisfied even then. The oc-
cupation Of Manclrria a not enough for them, SO THEY TRIED
TO PUT THEIR PAW on KOREA.
The real intention was a far deeper one. They wanted to have
Port Arthur a a naval base on the west, Vladivostok as another naval
base on the east and establish A THIRD on the southern extremity
Of Korea.
They wanted to complete a triangle of force, which pointed a dag
ger at our very heart. How could we remain calm? We were alarm
ed, terrified. Yet we were a peace loving people, and we opened a
peaceable correspondence with Russia, but every peaceful overture
we made was INSOLENTLY BLOCKED.
$50 @'5~T
Russia occupies onesixth of the territory of the whole world. She
has 14oo0o,Ooo people. Japan is only three times the size of the
state of New York. But we fought for II national honor and our
rights, for our very existence as a nation. We never expected such
a successful campaign. The most we expected was to leave behind
us a record that should read thus:
"oNcE IN THE FAR EAST THERE WAS A NATION CALLED
JAPAN WHICH HAD THE BRAVERY AND SPIRIT TO STAND UP
AGAINST RUSSIA AND WHICH FELL AND DIED AS AN INDIE.
PENDENT NATION RATHER THAN SUBMIT TO THE YOKE OF
RUSSIAN TYRANNY"
We have not violated the stnctest law of Chrstendom. One of
the meanest arguments that has been made against Japan in this war
is that it is a war of Christian against pagan, WITH RUSSIA THE
CHRISTIAN and Japan the pagan.
$3.50
We have fought with all the spirit of Christianity and humanity.
I am willing to let the world judge, and am surc the verdict will be
that WE FOUGHT AS CHRISTIANS and the Russians fought as
PAGANs.
1t has been said that the reason our soldiers are 50 courageous is
that they are fatalits; that they do not fear death. That is not 50.
They fear death IS much as you do But, most of all-and this may
explain the fatalstc belcf-TllEY FEAR COWARDIY OR
DISGRACEFUL DEATH.
\ death on the battlefield for the honor o. the nation and for the
emperor is the nohet death of all.
Our soldiers are not trained to be a yellow peril. They are civil
lied. The nation wants to be civilized and to live for humanity and
peace. There al seven articles of instruction, issued by the emperor
and kept always with the soldier in camp or o the field, which will
prove this and tell you his whole character. They are these:
BE sincere and loyal and guard against untruth.
Respect superiors, keep true to comrades and guard against law
lessness and insoltnce.
Obey commands Of superors irrespective of what their nature
may be. Never resist or disregard them.
Prize bravery and courage. BE dligont in the performance of
duty. Guard against cowardice and timiity.
BOAST NOT OF BRUTAL COURAGE, AND NEITHER QUARREL
NOR INSULT OTHERS, NOR ,Ncl1E TO GENERAL HATRED.
Cultivate virtue and frugalty. Guard against extravaganza and
efeminacv.
PRIZE REPUTATION AND HONOR, GUARD AGAINST VULGAR.
The American, Gx1storn