The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-11-20

The statement left by the general
concerning the reason for his suicide
is too Insignificant. There is evidence
not mentioned publicly, that the act
may have resulted from i'll feeling over
the recent eXaltation of his long time
enemy, Prince Katsura, to be the pres.
ent emperor's chamberlain; and in a
sense the power behind the throne.
1t is not unknown heer that a man
should emphasize his views by suicide.
This is quite as rational as for some
of our folks to swear about it." But
the mysterious mixture of high and
questionable ideals is so apparent in
Japan that no last analysis can yet
be made of the double tragedy. Doubt.
less it was thoroughly planned, but if
the great warrior essayed noble act
Of devotion, he certainly chose an un-
toward hour, for he was on very i'm
pOrtant committee to receive distin-
guished foreign representatives to the
imperial funeral. This was the first
time other nations had thus recog-
nized Japan and the occasion was SUI
preme.
In our land we feel that the way
to serve a fallen leader is to live for
the achievement OF his purposes. If
one may die, and rid himself of the
combat, then all have the same right
they would call it here.
Without question Gen. Nogi was sim
cerely devoted to his countrys cause.
He recently felt the tremendous loss
OF his soldiers at Port Arthur. On
returning he said: 81 had never eX-
pected such an honor and welcome. l
have caused so many youths to perish
that l was prepared to receive the
wrath of many fathers, and to be
stoned to death on my arrival in ia
pan. Instead of that, this remark
able welcome. Surely my two sons
who persisted for their country have
done their poor father most filial serv-
ice for their deaths have, it seems,
the wrath of the people
against me-" The large monetary gift
he received from the late emperor,
he distributed among his officers, re-
tanning only the paper envelope which
enclosed the money. On one occasion
the emperor gave the general pair
of handsome silver vases. He said
they were too beautiful for his home,
and contributed them to the mobiles
school, of which he was president.
Such instances of his generosity and
purity of soul are very numerous.
A strange mingling of ideals is fur
her shown in the following:
There was an aged mother who
earned that her soldier son was de-
aimed at home on her account. Stay
ng herself in patriotic sacrifice, she
withdrew the bloody dagger in time
% hand it to her son with the Spar
an injunction that he should plunge
t into the hearts of the enemy.
A humble jinricksha man, because
le could find no care taker for his
children, slew them and !
,uried them in the family temple
that they might go off to
heaven. The blanket wherein he
wrapped their dead bodies as he took
hem to their burial was afterwards
ut into shreds for sacred souvenirs !
" the heather priest, who came to !!
10 honor at the sacrificial grave.
But, in the midst of various forms |
# patriotic expression, Japan is so
acking in some of the elementary
thical ideals, that the word Gle"
las no unpleasant association what
yer. 1t is only jocular compliment.
he Ananias club comprises no "se-
ect few" here. A Japanese journalist |
ecently confessed that "our country
nen have earned an unenviable repu
alton for being the most untrust-
worthy people on earth"-and admit
ed they had earned it justly. This is
veil nigh the unchanging testimony
f foreign business men who have had
commercial experience here.
Many kinds of European goods are
made by Japanese and marketed with
he foreign names and trade marks.
'ou can go to soap factory where
he product is stamped "Colgate's'
nd sold as such. Several brands of
drinks are delivered in bot
les blown with foreign titles and de-
igns. We cannot give personal testi-
lony as to the comparative quality
n one place the Japanese, who are