The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-14
NATIVE SOLDIERS NOW USED
ASiahcS and Africans No Longer Barred from Civilized War
fare-Preiudice Against Them Obsolete.

tate from thencefOrth TO employ in Eu-
rope or elsewhere her Indian and Afri-
can troops. both he and the members OF
his government absolutely refused 10 ac-
cept the pressing offers Of assistance
which they received from the Basutos
and other warlike South African tribes
friendly 20 the English in the latter's
conflict with the Beers.
In fact. Great Britain even went TO tho
length OF risking the good will OF her
duslCy friends IN South Africa, by re-
fusing their Offers OF cooperation
against the Beers. rather than to
admit the tribes In question into
tho arena Of the struggle. realizing fun
well that she could not accept the re-
I sponsibility for the acts Of savagery
which the natives might perpetrate.
But Of course this objection applied TO
| the Basutos because they were not
drilled or disciplined or properly con-
/ trolled, aud were almost certain TO get
/ out or hand on the first occasion. The
/ objection would not apply 10 the African
1 leytes by means Of which France pro-
| poses to strengthen her regular army ia
| Europe.
It IS to Japan in a very large measure
/ that must be attributed the decline OF
! this prejudice against the employment OF
! Oriental troops in warfare among Chris
4 tian nations. For during the campaign
/ OF 800 IN China, the japanese distin-
/ guished themselves among all the other
allied powers. by their humane methods
/ OF warfare, and by their indignant re-
\ fusal TO participate IN any Of the rapins
and cruelty, and the altogether mex
! cUsable barbarity which disgraced some
/ of the European contingents engaged in
the military operations in the Celestial
/ Empire.
Indeed, the soldiers Of the Nlikado
showed themselves from first 70 last a
! great deal more civilized and strict in
their adherence TO the accepted rules OF
! warfare, than their white comrades
There was no looting by the japanese,
no indlscriminate slaughter OF inoffensivs
old men. women. and children: no per-
petration Of those nameless outrages
which. being unprintable. have only been
limited at IN the press
/ The behavior OF the Japs was the
theme Of universal admiration among al
the foreign commanders, notably 0f
Gen. Chaifee. Of the United States army.
who likewise accorded warm commeuda-
ton 10 the British Indian troops. deciar-
Ing that they never got out OF hand.
/ were models OF discipline and good con-
duct. and possessed OF sufficient strength
Of character TO refrain from following
the example set by so many OF their
white comrades.
The reputation Won by the japanese
during this campaign was further
/ strengthened and developed during their
war. four years later. with Russia IN
MRnchuris; and the great military pow
4 ers OF Europe have come to the con-
clusion that il japanese and British
Indian soldiers-Asiatics 10 the core-re-
main. even when excited by the lust o.
battle. so mindful OF the laws Of hu-
manity and civilization and so aruensble
| 70 discipline. there IS no reason am
longer for adhering 10 the old-tims
objection 70 the employment OF Orientais
and Africans In war among civilized ma
tons.
may point out in conclusion that az
. both Of the last peace conferences at
tempts were made TO bring before tho
meetings proposals for a specific agree
ment by treaty 10 refrain from the en-
ployment OF Asiatic and African troops
In civilized warfare. England. France.
Germany. Russia, and I understand. the
United States were averse 10 any such
] project and successfully united in pre-
, venting its being brought before ths
, congress. being unwilling 10 bind them
! selves 20 abstain from availing them
I selves OF their dusky troops. and of their
/ almost Inexhaustible supplies Of sOmber-
hued soldiers. in the event OF Q war n
D which might be involved their very ma
tiOnal existence