The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-11
Are the Japanese the "scourge Of
Cod?

Are the Japanese the "ScourEe ~
Cod?
The other day Emperor WILLIAM, In
sensational speech, while recognizing
the martial prowess Of the japanese, de-
clared that inasmuch as their military
efficiency was directed against Chris
tan people, they deserve TO be regarded
as the sSoourge Of GOD This was, OF
course, and was meant to be, an appeal
TO religious and racial antipathy.
It is scarcely worthy Of the enlightened
and tolerant spirit Of the twentieth CEN
tury TO compare the highly civilized and
humanized Japanese with the barbarians
who at various periods have invaded
Europe: with ATTIIA's Huns, with the
Avars whom CHARLEMAGSE eItirpated
like so many vermin, with the Magyars
who next seized the vacant valley Of the
Middle Danube, with the nomad hordes
obedient TO the descendants of GENGHIz
Khan, or with the fanatical followers OF
the Ottoman Sultan. The permanent
success Of ATTILA would perhaps have
prevented the transmission Of Roman
law and Greek thought TO modern times,
while the immediate and complete tri-
umph Of the Avars, the Magyars, the
Tltars or the Turks might have proved
fatal TO Christianity.
There is not an atom Of foundation for
similar apprehension in the case Of the
japanese. II they have any counter
parts in history, they recall those leu
tonic peoples which, quartered for CEN
turtles on the confines Of the Roman
Empire, had gradually borrowed from
their neighbors some appreciation OF the
arts, together with respect for law and
social organization, and for the most
part had become converts 10 Chris
tianity. so that, when they conquered
much OF the Mediterranean world, the
Christian religion and TO a considerable
extent the treasures Of civilization were
safe in their hands. When we keep IN
view the remarkable facility with which
the Mikado's subjects have absorbed
Western culture, and their existing
alliance with Great Britain, we must
own that it is not with the Huns that the
japanese should be compared, but rather
with the Visigoths who, on the decisive
field of Cha!ons. helped the last Of the
Romans 20 Withstand successfully the
/ "Scourge Of COP
The comparison does but imperfect
Justice to the subjects Of the Mikado
In reasoning power, in capacity for
scientific research and for the practical
application Of scientific knowledge to
sanitary, surgical and medical purposes
in mastery Of the fine arts, in adapta-
blity 70 a constitutional as we'll as to an
autocratic rule in the exhibition of a
gentle and humane disposition in times
Of peace and Of desperate valor in war
they have shown themselves more than
equal TO their Russian antagonists. They
have given proof OF possessing the es-
thetic, the stole and the chivalrio virtues
In all that makes a man and makes q
nation the japanese could give lessons
to the Slav.
On what ground, then, does Emperor
WILLIAM attempt TO enlist the SYM
pathy OF Germany and Of Europe upon
Russias side; On the ground that the
Japanese are ethnically Of a different
stock from ours, and that they have not
as a people, adopted the Christian re-
ligion. OF these two bases for preju-
dice, one may be at once eliminated; at
least an appeal TO it does not become
the sovereign who has been for years
at the utmost pains to gain the good will
Of the Ottoman Sultan, even though in
order to attain his purpose he might
have TO leave the Christians Of Mace
donna 70 the mercy OF the Turks. In
view Of his cynical attitude toward the
Macedonian question, we marvel at the
audacity of his reference 10 the Japanese
as heather" nation. IN a candid mood,
the Emperor WILLIAM would doubtless
be the first to recognize as peculiarly
applicable TO Buddhism, which has 80
largely tinctured the ethics Of Japan,
the apothegm respecting the differences
Of the Israelite, the Christian and the
, Islamic religions, which LEssTNG has
, put into the mouth Of Nathan der
: Weise': There Is truth in all Of them.
Let us Judge their followers by their
: lives, and not their creeds.'
As regards racial prejudice, il would
be futile 10 deny that the roots Of il
} strike deep, and perhaps at this stage
, Of human advancement are ineradioa-
BILE Between the white race on the one
hand and the black race, the red race,
and even the yellow race on the other,
; there still exists, il must be owned, an
b instructive lack Of sympathy. In the
, eyes, however, Of thoughtful, large
! hearted and conscientious men, IL il an
b instinct 10 be fostered, or il Il one 10 be
regretted as the survival Of a primitive
age happily destined 20 be weakened
, with the progrec5 Of enlightenment, and