THE TRUE LESSON OF THE WAR

Evening Star, Issue 12523, 6 June 1905, Page 6

THE TRUE LESSON OF THE WAR

[By Oklookeb.] I has oftn been put forward, and appa. reiitly with good reason, that the principal lessons to bs learnt from the war now being waged between Russia and Japan are that a high patriotism is a national asset of the utmost value, and that in order to succeed in modern warfare careful and accuiaU preparation and honesty in the supply ol materials, are absolute necessities. It is true that these are necessary points, but iu seeking for causes we must go further back than this. Just as the victory itself flows from such causes as those already indicated, so also those traits—i.e., patriotism, thoroughness, and a 'high standard ci' physical, excellence—have likewise theii cause. In fact., to come to the point, it comes'back to the old saying that "the ultimate wealth of any nation is the quality of the men and women of that nation." This is the truth that is often lost sight of, and while our legislators struggle with many of the surface problems the one grand problem as to how best to improve the manhood and womanhood of the nation is largely left to solve itself. There are, it is true, certain persons who continually proclaim that the value of a man is far above that of many sheep or cattle, but judging by the number of inspectors we have whoso duty it is to see that sheep and cattle are preserved from any disease or carelessness on the part of their owners, and the few there are' who are equally solicitous aa to the welfare of human beings, the general idea would seem to be that sheep are more valuable than men and women. Let us imagine,, for instance, if we can, what .would happen if for every drunkard who staggered down our streets and who, after a few l such bouts, was manifestly deteriorated, 360 sheep became similarly affected and as quickly deteriorated. Yet Air Seddon himself bas declared that a man,is worth £360,, and we all know that a sheep is only worth about £l. I warrant, however, that if 360 eheep were victims of an incurable and deleterious habit for every mau that takes drink to excess, our Parliament would devote itself much more eagerly to a solution of the difficulty than they are doing at present, an dthe only common-senee solution would quickly be agreed upon. Tlu's bringa us to the point. What are the causes that have led up to Japan's acknowledged superiority in men—meaning, of course, their physique and reliability as fighting machines. .First, I think we ihust put the fact that the Japanese are a frugal and temperate race, and that with them physical culture is for tho mass, not for the occasional individual, as among the British, while Ihe mass in this case look on and applaud or gamble on the result. My reading of the history of the Japanese teems to show that the traditions of the Samurai class have gradually permeated the nation, and hence it is a matter of pride with each and every soldier to bring his body to high excellence in order that he may* serve his country well. The Government of the country, too, ass-Tft in this endeavor, and anything* which threatens the stamina of the race is speedily stamped out. Opium was at one time as great a danger to Japan as it is to China to-day, and as alcohol is at the present moment to the British Empire; but the danger was averted by a timely and wellenforced prohibitory law. The Chinese also are anxious to save themselves - in similar fashion from this de-grading-vice, but the British nation, to its everlasting shame be it said, insists on their not prohibiting either the importation or sale of opium, and thus the Chinese are at present quickly sliding down that hill the descent of which is so easy. Japan and the United States, however, have already shown signs of an intention to bring pressure to bear upon the British nation to release China from this odioue opium treaty, and we may soon expect to see our nation, which prides itself on its Christian dealings, being forced to do that which is right by the new start in the Far ESast—a heathen nation. Just as Japan has dealt with opium so they have dealt-with iuvenilo smoking, which had become in then- case, as now among the Britieh-speaking peoples, a__ grave danger to the national stamina. No one under twenty may smoke in Japan, and no scholar may smoke at any time during his college career, even though above that age. This is interference with the liberty of the .subject for the good of all •with a vengeance. It is evident that the Japanese Government do not think thai those perstme who are addicted to a vice or hurtful habit are the best ones to judj;e as to the continuance of that habit, and in that conclusion all persons of common sense must agree. In the wonderful work they fne now doing in Formosa, the Japanese have adopted a method of dealing with the opinm evil that has a deep lesson for us here in New Zealand. Instead of paltering with the decrepit victims and thinking to cure the by tinkering only with tho extreme result", as is done in New Zealand, the Japanese, with a common sense that does them credit, hove licensed confirmed 'opium smokers, and only they can smoke. That is, thes have prohibited the use of tho article to the great bulk of the people, and only those proved to be confirmed smokers can obtain the drug. Thus, i.o fresh victims arc manufactured. It would show far more common setife on the part of the New Zealand Government if, es 'regards our principal vice—i.e., alcoholdrinking—the same rule were applied. This would frankly recognise the drunkards as hopeless, and pin' their faith to preventing any new persons acquiring the alcoholic habit. It is plain to me that to such common-sense methods as this, applied right through their affairs, the Japanese owe their splendid physique and national pride, and hence their patriotism and magnificent and sweeping victory. Whenever, hi Japan, private pleasure «r vicious habits clashed with the welfare of the State, those private habits have swiftly gone by the board by Imperial decree. Our substitute for the "imperial decree is the "voice of the majority." If the British nation is to keep pace with the upward rush of this new aspirant for world honors this majority must be clean-minded, unselfish, and act with one guiding principle alone, and that mu?t be "the welfare of the nation." The standard of the nation is best raised by elevating the aspirations and plane of thought of fee units that compose / that nation. In too many cases the youth of the British nation learn to smoke, drink, and gamble while yet iu their teens, and thus healthy ambition and patriotism) "are killed. The degenerate seekew.after the pleasures of the liquor bar and the two-up and racing schools will' never sa evor uplift the British race. That task needs sterner stuff than is manufactured in such surroundings. Let us take heed to ourselves, and set an example for the Empire to follow. None is so well able to do it as New Zealand. '