The sun., 1907-03-31

Coexist N Japanese TO an eEteut Europ1
has not witnessed Sincg tbs French
and the English had q bowinR match
at, .EonteuOY Is to who should have the
pleasure OF discharginR the first volley
1 Gen. Hamilton feels himself on safe ground
when he declares that Ghe world has not
yet seen, and Rsver viii see again. q race
more devoted than the Japanese TO all
cererDonioHs observAnoes.. @To say that
a Japanese gentleman would die sooner
than be impOlite is inadequate. He would
rather die, thousand deaths" More
over, Japanese 'pokteness is not merely
a social lubricant, as is that Of many Con-
tiuental Europeans. Japanese suavity
and good manners are solid, and will stand
I any amount OF rough usage, whereas the
Iirbane siniiee and bows Of Continental
Europe are a mere veneer, good for draw
ing rooms and clubs, but hardly to be de-
pended on to stand shower OF rain OF a
journey in an ordinary railway train"
IL must at the same time be understoo
that although Japanese pOliteness is more
genuine and deep rooted than the European
variety it differs from the latter in some
respects. For instance, il there liz a con-
ict between an engagement TO an absent
the Bushido code requires that the former
should give way.
As for the courage Of the japanese, that.
Of course, was attested in every battle dur
ing the late war Gen. Hamilton points
out, however, that il is not precisely coun-
terpart Of Western valor. There is some
philosophy and passivity about il; there is
more conscious self-saCrifce, but there is less
Berserker Joy of battle and longing to do
some glorious act. AN Japanese soldiers
go into battle expecting and prepared to
conquer and die; brave British soldiers
go into battle hopeful, and prepared to
conquer or die" In our authors opinion
there is a signal difference between the
two states OF mind. Japanese officers
have constantly TO explain to their men
that they must not consider that the main
object Of a battle is to get killed. British
officers have no occasion thus to admonish
their men, who, although they are aware
that in all probability many will bite the
dust, are each individually of the opinion
that he will manage to pull through"
We are cautioned against confounding the
willingness Of the japanese soldiers to die
with the fanaticism OF the "ghazi," or Mos
lem fanatic, who hopes by death in battle
to gain access to a material ipaTadise where
he may irt with hosts Of houris. The
motives Of the Japanese, on the contrary,
are as purely impersonal "a 1t is possible
for those of a human being to be. Though
troubling himself little about a future life,
he has a dim idea that if killed in action his
spirit will be aware Of the gratitude the
Emperor and the nation will bear him for
having sacrificed himself in their behalf.
He longs to die for has country, not in order
that he himself may reap some glorious
reward, but in the hope that he may be
worthy Of those that have preceded him
and that his example may usefully guide
the generations who are to follow him."
IL now we turn TO the Bushido disdain Of
money which ia as marked feature of the |
code az its contempt for death, we learn |
with interest that few OF even the military |
coolies attending the Second Division OF !
the First Army-this was the division of |
which the author saw most-would con-
sent to accept a tip, either small or great, |
for service rendered, and a full private |
would be infinitely insulted by the offer Of |
present -"Scorn for money Is a piece OF |
pure Bushido OF Samurai tradition. It has |
transplanted itself, apparently without |
too much difficulty from feudalism into the |
army" On the other hand the merchants, |
canteen men. photographers and other |
civilian camp followers are ready to turn |
a dishonest penny.
Under the circumstances the author |
cannot help inquiring how long the soldiers |
will be able to maintain far loftier standard /
than that Of their brethren in civil life. |
II. indeed, the transition from the status |
l. a.. L.. n 4
dustrialsm had been more gentle and |
gradual, it might then have been easier
for a Samurai permanently to transfer |
some OF his cbivalTic ideas Of honor into |
the service of Mammon. But the plunge |
has been violent, and the Japanese knight, |
shorn Of his two swords, has had his heart |
swept and garnished in preparation for an |
entirely fresh ideal of life. Only a few |
most valued pieces Of the old |
knightly aTmory have been conserved tenn
and it is these which have rem |
dered the descendants Of the Samurai in |
vincible in the field" Will the spiritual |
attributes of Biishido long survive9 Touch |
ing this point the author seems to be a
pessimist He tells us that even in the |
camp among troops flushed With success |
and burning with patriotism there were |
indications that the military caste would |
have TO hasten the process Of modernizing |
its spirit unless II is to lose touch with the |
mass Of the people.
Our authors ultimate conclusion on the |
subject is expressed in a few paragraphs of |
the ninetsenth chapter, under the heading |
. Reflections by the Way He is convinced |
that the precepts of Bushido have been TO
some extent transplanted successfully from
the old Samurai code into the army, but |
have failed to strike root in the domain Of
commerce. The obvious inference is that /
these precepts, accepted in the army, must
be adapted 10 the new order Of things or
perish. Gen. Hamilton repeats that al
ready BlIshido stirs the antagonism of some |
Of the men educated in the West who mean |
TO try to rule the new Japan. These men |
regard military officers with greater dis
like, it seems, than a German Professor
toward a Prussian iunker. They |
pine for the emancipation of women; they |
burn 10 humble the caste pride of the mill
tary and naval officers; and, at all costs,
they are bent on democratizing Japanese |
institutions in every direction. The author
assures us that he is not imagining these
things. II am vOicing the feelings of |
Japanese civilians, who have expressed |