Evening star., 1924-12-02
VITAL THEMES
Committing Hara-kiri for
Japan.
By Former Ambassador
CYRUS E. woods.

The press dispatches state that the
body of the unknown soldier, who
committed hara-kiri in Toxic imme-
diately after the passage of the ex-
clusion legislation, is to be placed in
the national cemetery with those of
other national heroes. It is always
difficult for a race to comprehend the
psychology of some other race and in
order that we may understand this
action on the part of the 0Japanese
we should consider the facts preced-
ing it.
Before the passage of the exclusion
legislation no country could have
had more respect and admiration for
another country than Japan had for
the United States. America, philan-
thropic, democratic, Christian, stood
before Japan as a nation to be emu
lated and followed. The Washington
conference had paved the way. This
was followed by the efficient and un-
selfish service rendered by the Amer
lean colony in Toxic and by the won
oerful response given by the Amer
lean people to their sister nation at
the time when the greatest disaster
in the worlds history visited Japan.
At the same time. our American
churches had been teaching not only
the Christian religion, but also had
and the American viewpoint to Japan.
The result of all this was to make
| the Japanese feel that their truest
friend among all the nations was the
United States and the history of the
past justified them in that belief
Then came the exclusion legisla tton
and to the surprise of the Japanese
they were denounced, in course of the
argument on that Legislation. as be
trnrN <A-
race was irreparably injured They
felt that they, first-class power, had
been humiliated before the nations of
the world and that they had been be-
trayed by a friend.
It was then that this unknown sol
dier, according to the ancient rites,
| committed hara-kiri A letter was
found on his person, addressed to the
American Ambassador, in which he
says:
II am one of the Japanese who now
are humiliated by the United states
before the eyes of the whole world,
and that without cause. 1 prefer
death. ] shall seek to invoke
the Judgment of Jesus Christ and
shall implore Him to cause the Amer
lean people to reflect"
This was, therefore, not suicide in
the ordinary sense of that word
People XIII themselves in Japan as
they do in every other country, and
no more attention Is paid to suicides
there than elsewhere. But this un-
, known soldier sacrificed his life for
a principle. His life was just as dear
to him as life to any one is dear, but
he was willing to give it up in order
that, as he thought, by this startling
act, he might bring home to the
American people the unnecessary hu-
initiation which had been imposed
upon his country. He believed that
with that knowledge brought home
to the American people remedy
would be found.
Loyalty to a principle is a part of
the moral code of the Japanese. 1t
was because of this loyalty that this
unknown soldier gave up his life.
No nation can produce higher exam
pies of devotion to honor and loyalty
than characterize the whole history
of Japan. 1t is that loyalty which
the Japanese people are recognizing
in doing honor. to the humble remains
of this young man, who so cheerfully
gave up his life for principle which
to him, as well as to them. was dear.
May his sacrifice not have been In
vain.
Copyrighted by Cosmos Newspaper Syndicate
William Allen White, Chairman EdHoriaN