The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-03

Japan Ia now at war with GERMANY"
/ Mr.. 1chiki's dispatch proceeded. there
should be no hostile feelings between
individuals, and II would be as UNI
/ becoming as 1t would be undignified
that students or religionists should
| indulge In improper acts or utter.
ances as regards Germany or Ger
mans" Even before these various in
structions were issued. Governor Hat
/ tori had informed DR.. Ohrt, the Ger
man Consul at Kobe, that the
japanese authorities were fully pre-
pared to undertake the protection of
the German community in any emer-
gency that might arise, and further
! more assured DIR. Ohrt that Japanese
Individually entertained no Ill feel
ing towards Germans.
The Japanese authorities and ia |
panese people have lived up to the |
assurances given by the Ministers in
Tokyo. We believe we are correct !
in saying that there has not been a |
single unpleasant incident or regret
table episode between Japanese and |
Germans arising out of the relations |
existing between their respective coun- |
tries. In the celebrations over the |
capture OF Tsingtau the greatest care
was exercised both by the authorities |
and the organizers of the lantern pro- |
cessions to avoid any demonstration |
In the neighborhood OF German offices
or residences. In Kobe certain streets |
were altogether avoided for this rea-
son. with the result that the demon
stration passed off without any Ill feel /
ing being aroused Moreover the
japanese Government has carried the
same spirit into the field BY the
wish of His Majesty the Emperor ar
engagements were made before the fl
nal assault upon Tsingtau permitting
the besieged garrison to send all wo-
children hat a ,%St
out of the danger zone--a considera-
ton towards the foe that is very sell l.
dom given in wartime, the militarist 1
argument being that women and /
children, as well as uoncombatants
must be fed, and that to permit them
Safe-conduct allows the garrison to Il
hold out longer. In this case no such 4
tactical reason was allowed to check
the humane impulse which prompted l
the offer and which was accepted Il
by the besieEed. Then, again, by the
evidence of the German defenders,
Whe nthe hospital at Tsiagtau was
struck by shell fire. a wireless message
stating this fact was sent to the ia
panese admiral, and rrrlng stopped in
stantly. Stil further. as showing the
chivalry of the japanese conduct OF II
the operations, a number OF German
prisoners who were found to be es-
posed to the firing from the forts
WI" removed 10 a SAFER
place We might also refer to tho
courteous and kindly treatment ex-
tended to the German prisoners
brought to Japan, where their friends
nave been allowed to visit them. and |
even to engage in conversation with
out any officer being present as an in
ternediary or even as matter of pre-.
caution.
Heather Japs' Splendid Example.
IL war were always made In this
chivalrous fashion, less bitterness and l.
rancor would be left behind. and y
nations would come together again
more quickly when the struggle was /
over "Heathen" Japan has set q
tine example to the Christian world /
now In arms. But. after giving ALI
credit for the spirit IN which the ac-
tual operations have been undertaken. !,
1t Is In the treatmbent of oncom- Il
baiants that Japan's policy marks a
stride forward in international law.
I For the first time in history the sub
Jects of state at war have been
permitted TO pursue their trade or
occupation without let or hindrance. Il
In the country of a belligerent Banks
have continued their transactions:
/ merchants have carried on their bus
mess; the relations between the pri-f
Fate individuals of the belligcrent i
have been unchanged. Moreover, Ger
mans in Government employ. ns pro
lessons in the colleges and schools,
haVs continued to perform their du-
ties unaffected by the breach in dip
lomattc relations or the state OF war
prevailing. and they have been every
where treated with respect and con- Il
sideration by their japanese scholars
and students. Perhaps it will be said /
thAt Japan has adopted the principles
OUT or winch these results flow be- +
cause OF some obscure reason con-
neeted with the enemy she has been 1
lBhting---an uneasy appreciation OF [
-fe!fnaaSs military capacity. for ex-
ample, though in what way Germany /
can be menace to Japan now or In 7
the future II would be very difficult
To say But, as a matter of fact. while
we have described Japan's action as 1
unprecedented among the nations it il
not entlreiv precedent SO far as |
Japan herself Is concerned. During
the chiuo-Japanese War Of l8a4-5 no
expulsion order was Issued agatns,
Chinese residents in Japan. or anv AT 4
tempt made to restrict their liberty I
Many Chinese merchants fled from m. 4
country at the outbreak OF war. know II
ing what would happen If the cases
were reversed. But their fears were
gloundless. Those who remained were Il
able to pursue their avocations with
out rear or molestation and in the
enjoyment OF the fullest protection
True. there were some isolated cases Il
OF stone-throwing at Chinese build
lngs, and some mobbing OF individual 4
chinese. But the majority who CON
Quoted themselves with discretion had Il
nothing to fear, and thousands az II
Chinese remained in Japan and con- Il
! tinued their business undisturbed Il
Thus the liberal treatment OF allen /
enemies is not entirely a precedent Il
so far as Japan is concerned. But 4
II Is precedent IN the great field L
OF world politics. ana Japan is en- i
Titled to full credit for this great and II
peneiicent innovation in international II
law, we say this with the less hes
ltalon because we have not failed n
10 crlticise japanese policy when II
mas seemed TO US unjust or unwise. II
Like all innovations. Japan's policy \
IN this matter will be exposed to COM Il
ment and detraction. We believe that
tine Will NOT only Justify it. but will
see IT embodied in that group OF pre-
cedents known as International law
which marks the advance of the world II
from bafbarism to civilization, and /,
in the firm eeta hlishmeDf of xybfoh