Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-13

0sASE dler in the field pretty well. kWNA We have marveled at the \}kQ02i remarkable achievements of M GA the Japanese sailors as they
 fought on the seas We have
 studied the nation from her external relations to the outside world. We have watched the remarkable war which she has been waging for nearly year now so successfully and marvel cd at the strength and resources which the nation displayed. We have studied the hard problems confronting her and have learned many valuable lessons as a nation and as individuals. but per haps we have not been permitted to look behind the scenes and study the influence and effects of the war upon the inner life of the nation.
 The newspaper dispatches keep us in formed as to the progress of the war and give us slimpses of the combatants and the battlefields. but one whose reading does not have a wider range than this never sees into the interior of the little island nation. and does not understand the condition of affairs there. Never was nation so united There are no classes when it comes to the war. Ali are brought into the closest sympathy and fellowship by the one purpose that rules the hearts of all. which is to make the war sue cess All are willing to suffer in the cause. All are wilnng 10 make sacri- fees. and are making them. from Gen. Nogi, the hero of Port Arthur. who has lost two sons in the war. down to the most humble inhabitant.
 The supreme ambition of every sol dier who leaves home and friends fer the battle front is to die in the thick of the fight. and find grave in Man- churia: and mothers and fathers. ana brothers and sisters count ii mark of distinction and honor 10 have lost their loved ones on the battlefield. This feeling exists even into the high CT circles. The story is told Of The wife of Gen. Yamamoio that when he fell in the engagement al LiaoyanS and the news reached his widow. she said with eyes undimmed by tears and with a smile upon her face that she counted it ar honor that her husband had fallen in battle. And this is not because the Japanese heart lacks al fectionate impulses or feels not the loss of dear ones. but becanse the heart cf Japan is all wrapped up in the terrible war.
 And to how many. many thousands has come such eratificaiion. The world does not yet know. but the numbers are fast mounting up towards the l"n.- 000 mark. The dead thus far have Uri- numbered the wounded. There have been some cases of suicide rather than fall into the hands of the enemy. mo- table instance being that of Lieut.. Col. Suchi. commander of the transport Hi tachi Maru.' which was sunk by The yIadivostok fleet. Rather than sur sender he burned the flag and then sui sided and many others or the ship fol- lowed his example. and as a result all the troops perished.
 But the sentiment against this an cient practice is growing. and in some cases it mer.s with frank eondemna- tion. Tine neral idea that fife is sa- cred and that suicide is belated meth cd of proving courage or innocence has gotten hold of the public mind and Japan can never gsr back to the old idea and tho old practices of self-de- structicn-
 The care of the wounded who are sent back to Japan is admirable. and the most conspicuous feature at Sen iai. Osaka. and other large cities are inc temporary hospitals which nave been erected- Tn some eases they are 90 numerous as to appear like whole villages by themseiyes- They are roomy and airy and clean The usual size of the buildings is abou: i0x15s feet. which provides accommodations for e men comfortably. These shed. are connected with esch other by eoE- cred Dassaces The largest group ci these hospital b-ildinss E at Osaka where the ois exposition ground: have bsen cleared 'o make room foi them
 It is . splendid tribute to the medi