The Washington herald., 1908-01-19

Much praise has been given the patriot
ism Of the japanese as people, but not
so much has been said on the other side
OF the question-that is. on the constant
and consistent efforts Of the government
to show the soldier that his interests lie
deep in the heart of the nation-ani cer-
tainly we should not fan behind JaTag.
ncr any other country, in this particular.
Everywhere the relation OF the soldier
to his government deman1s that he civ5
his life, if necessary for patriotic mc-
tives, but at the same time good faith
imposes on the government certain Obilga-
tions to the soldiers. Briefly, the most
important Of these are measures to en-
force respect for the uniform, provision
OF food, shelter clothing. &c. and pro-
lection Of health and treatment in illness
and injury. with at least partial provision
for maintenance in case Of disablemeHr
or death in service.
While something might be said not TO
the disadvantage Of the japanese on tho
other subjects. as it is In the protection
Of the health Of soldiers and their care in
illness and injury that their good faith is
most conspicuous and We are most want
ing, these only viii receive attention.
Indeed, it may Dee stated that in these
particulars our soldiers are worse OF
than are those Of any other great nation.
Even the Chinese in their reorganized
army have made adequate provision for
the care OF their sick and wounded sol
diers. All the nations Of Europe recog-
nize the obligations of their governments
in the matter to the full
In the past Great Britain has perhaps
been more niggardly in providing for her
army in this respect than has any other
nation except our own. but her experience
iG the South African war was such a dis
astrous one that since then she has in
stituted many reforms. Japan, though no
country has been more willing than she
10 give the cOuntTys best 10 her soldiers,
has perhaps also emphasized more than
any other country the value Of a healthy
army.
Obviously. paper strength does not win
battles; on the contrary, victory depends
mainly on the actual number OF mea IN
line. and Japan. unwilling 10 overlook
anything which makes for success In
arms. regards the good health Of her men
as paramount and Of her soldiers as
valuable military asset Japan. too. quite
realizes that not only would her people
as a whole be hurt by allowing sturdy
young men to die or 10 become disabled
from lack Of proper sanitation and alb
senCe of medical care. but that each man
who so dies or becomes disabled Cousti-
tUtes a burden on the treasury and the
sum OF such burdens would ultimately
cost far more than wise expenditures 10
prevent them
II goes without saying that good health
and good care Of the III and injured in
any army depend primarily on its medi-
cal department. Japan has a very large
medical department in peace. much more
than sufficient IN numbers for the saHi-
tary and medical duties with even her
large peace army. This department can
be greatly expanded in war with little
loss in efficiency, and adequate induce
ments are offered doctors 10 join the
army. and We have a medical department
so inadequate in numbers that even in
peace many civilian physicians are re-
quiTed, and one 10 which the inducements
10 join do not attract the better class Of
physicians.
In any nation a long period of peace,
however desirable from nearly every
standpoint, is likely 10 result in giving
no thought TO possible war. and nowhere
are economies more likely 20 be Effected
in an army than in its medical depart
ment. but We are probably the first na-
ton to underman this department even
for peace.
Our medical department at present con-
sists Of two classes OF doctors. First.
the regularly commissioned medical Off
Ger. and. second. the contract surgeon,
the former is given an examination,
which. while searching. is no more 50
than is sufficient 90 insure that the ply
Sicians commissioned are qualified for the
intelligent practice of their profession
certainly no harder an examination than
is required of applicants for positions III
our larger and better hospitals. and mem
bers of the latter are required TO show
little more than that they have slight
knowledge of medicine.
This is manifestly unfair to the soldier,
must often be dependent both as regards
sanitation and medical attendance on an
incompetent man These statements are
not intended to belittle the services of all
contract surgeons. Undoubtedly some Of
them are competent men, who, aCtuated
by love Of the service, remain in II aL
pecuniary loss 10 themselves.
Criticism is. Of course, merely cap
tlous unless remedy for existing de-
fects can be suggested, but fortunately
such a remedy for the medical depart
ment Of our army is ready at hand.
1t does not lie in one department, how
ever, but in the people themselves
through their representatives in Con-
gress.
A bill. carrying but a very small increase
Of appropriation, to correct the evils
which have been described. has been pre-
pared, has had the emphatic approval
Of the President and OF two Secretaries
of War, was passed by the Senate. and
favOrably reported by the Military Com
mittee of the House. On the fat Of this
bin the future efficiency of our medical
department largely depends, as many
army surgeons, men of excellent Capa-
city and long training. are about TO re-
sign from the service if it does not pass,
and years viii be required TO build up
what has been torn down.
This, entirely aside from the fact that
under present conditions efficient physi-
clans cannot be secured for the army
The question now is, then. does the pub
lie, which can easily force the passage
of this bill, If it desires 10 do so, take
sufficient interest TO exert its sovereign
power TO that end?
With its passage we will not be COM
pelied to bow our heads in shame when
ever the sanitary and medical care Of
our soldiers is discussed, and without t.
both in peace and war. an unWarTanted