Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-13

including clothing, special food for the
soldiers, cotton balls and bandages, even
to the manufacture of cartridges, have
been the work of woman. While she mem
tally formed letters of encouragement to
brother, father, husband or sweetheart on
the battlefield, her hands were busily en-
ployed in making the appurtenances of
war which would spell their country's sue
cess. Every home throughout the empire,
humble or grand, representing princess to
maid, was a beehive Of womans indus
try. Those not engaged in this work were
administering to the wounded and dying
friend and foe alike-in the hospitals.
Now that the Japanese woman has
played so conspicuous a part In the war,
which has brought her into international
limelight, she has avenged the critics Of
her ancestors and her sisters of today.
1.-THE stranger in Japan becomes mo-
mentarily impressed with the smiling faces
Of the Japanese women he meets on the
streets or in the country places He
hastily concludes from her almost childlike
smile an infant intellect or an undeveloped
character. She is intensely gentle and
modest. There are no striking mannerisms
70 proclaim to the stranger what she
really is. Not knowing her, they fail to
read behind the pretty smile the strength
OF character ana the beduNy VI oOuls
1.-THE stern realities of war have brought
out in strong relief the real qualities Of our
japanese women.
while her education has expressly fitted
her for a true and helpful wife and an
affectionate mother, the war has proved
that this education, limited as 1t would
seem to the minds OF many, has not united
her for the broader and nobler duties i'm
posed upon her by war.
The war will necessarily work a social
and industrial revolution for our women.
Different from many countries, the
women left dependent as consequence
Of war will be amply provided for. Be
sides, they will be paid the profoundest
respect by the people and by their COM
munity, and the government will always
consider itself their debtor,
1.-THE keynote of a Japanese woman s
ambition is to become the wife of a great
man and the mother OF an illustrious son.
For this she will sacrifice everything, even
her own life. The effect Of the war will
not be to lose a particle Of this, but II
will tend to strengthen It. The widow s
interest will be centered In her sons-to
educate them to take their fathers place
both in the nome and in service TO their
country, thus to keep up the family name
and honor.
But It is only natural that a large num-
Der OF young women left without parent
brother or sister, will seek a new interest
in life through the many avenues Of in
dustrial occupation.
1T is not because Of her inability TO sue
coed that the japanese women has not thus
far followed her western sisters example
10 enter the industrial felds-a firmly rooted
tradition in Japan has not so far en-
eouraged H. But II will be but natura
that many OF these young women will turn
70 the occupations yet hardly touched b!
women, such as teaching, nursing and ever
of professions
Heretofore woman in Japan was looked
upon as a meek and mild creature will
little moral stamina. Now that her mora
fiber has been strengthened by her recen
experiences, she will naturally turn L
those avenues Of activities where her new
sense Of independence and dependence vii
doubtless assert itself
while the thousands Of widows, mother
. and sisters will be cared for as those de
, pendent for a livelihood always have beel
, by the community, friends or relatives
, with the additional small pension afforde,
by the government that inherent prd
OF the japanese woman will repel tn
, thought OF accepting this form OF assist
} ance Rather she will wish 70 use he
newly developed powers for gaining a