New-York tribune., 1906-10-07


correspondents
HASH asked us if we wished TO proceed eight
miles to the headquarters of the general staff or
would remain there for the night Being out
we naturally chose to remain But General HASH
did not seem to be pleased with this. He and the
interpreter Jabbered awhile together and then the
interpreter said, His eXceency General HASH saw
he glad you wish to stay herewith the night. only
please say yes you wish to go to honorable staff
of General Oku."
But" we objected I'VE do not wish to 60 and
to say different would be lie
All, said the interpreter, his eXcellency the
General Hash say please tell lie
We declared that did not wish to 90 TO the
honorable staff and voiced our protest about feel
ngly could be done; but the interpreter broke
his excellency the General HASH say YOU need
longer beg for the permission to go to honorable
general staff Your request, hOnored sirs granted
Your horses at the door. The General say
very good by and good journey
We snOrted and sat down. The door opened and
five SIX Japanese cavalrymen filed in and stood
around us. Before L knew what was happening two
of them raised me gently but firmly to my feet
1t is because of your very tired, said the in
terpreter bowling and smiling. The soldiers will
assist to carry you because since then of free
will do insist to go.
Then gave up and, surrounded by escort
rode away, of our free will
Over at the general staff two Japanese staff Off
piled with questions
We were SO sleepy that we could hardly talk and
10 shut up interloCutors began making all sorts
of absurd answers. Finally when l was asked
=" Where did YOU last General kuropatkin9 =
| answered, Oh, between half-paSt two and the
railroad station" Then fell over and went to sleep.
The Solution at Last
THE next morning we We're routed out before
daybreak and put on our horses and,
rounded by half troop of cavalry, started out. We
were curious to know whether they going to
take direct to Yentai, where General Oyama had
his headquarters or whether they would take us
back through Mukden and let get some property
we had abandoned there in the retreat. j asked the
interpreter to ask the Colonel who had examined
us the night before TO please inform us as to what
place being taken.
The Colonel COughed out answer and the inter
prefer with face solemn a graveyard said,
To place half way between two o'clock and the
railroad station y
The Baron General kadama was with General
Oyama in the field, and quartered at Yentai
when he again gaze me material for tins story.
The Baron General asked me why did not like
the Japanese. Protesting that he misunderstood my
position, l said. " However, General, | will admit
that there many Japanese traits OF character
that ] do not admire. For one thing YOU Japanese
are, well, somewhat deCcitful.
All replied the General, deceit IS one OF the
secrets of success IN war.
L do mean that, Your eXcellenCy,' | inter
posed To a plain blunt Ango-SaNon word,
the japanese as people are great liars
All, is II so:" said the General calmly and
retleCtlVelV Well, hOnOred Sr, your honorable
people the Americans have very modestly claimed
the credit for Japan in this and her
rapid advancement along all lines The honorable
Americans claim and quite properly so. to have
trade. government, engineering religion, manu-
featuring. civilization, everything that we the
Japanese have only initiated. 1t is much true Also
have YOU the Americans taught the ancient and
honorable art of lying. All, how sad. that III tins
art as we'll as in the others the japanese
merely clumsy mitatOrs: for in this everything
else our honorable teachers have set such high
standard of excellence that II Will be many gener
ations before can hope 10 become 50 accomplished
as the gifted Americans.
When l left the Baron kadama that night, | took
out my note book and wrote Original research to