THE MIKADO'S PRECEPTS

Evening Star, Issue 12606, 11 September 1905, Page 5

THE MIKADO'S PRECEPTS

On the walls of the barracks, on tie sides of the tents, at the foot of every Japanese soldier's cot, hangs a printed copy of eeven moral precepts, says the New York 'World' The Emperor of Japan is supposed to be the author. At any rate he, as General-in-Chief, issued them to his army. The last thing the soldier sees on retiring, the first thing to greet his eyes when he awakes, are these precepts. Every morning after roll-call an officer of each company reads the precepts to his men. Then he makes the men recite them in concert, and afterwards calls upon individual soldiers to repeat them. In barracks the officers drill tie men in tho knowledge of the precepts, and explain them in detail, illustrating their explanations with examples drawn from history. Deeds of Washington, Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon, Grant, and other famous commanders are related, that the soldiers may know the precepte in practical application as well as hi theory. Baron Kaneko, a > Japanese statesman who recently visited this country on a confidential mission, asserts that the personal valor of the Japanese soldiers is due to the practice of the «even precepts. Hete they axe, as translated by Baron Kaneko from the Mikado's edict:— "To be sincere ami loyal, and guard against untruthfulness. w "To respect superior*, keep true to comrades, and guard against lawlessness and iiifiolencc. "To obey the command of superiors, irrespective of it* nature, and never to resist or disregard it. "' To prize bravery and courage, and be diligent in the performance of duties, and guard against cowardice and timidity. "To boast not of brutal courage, and neither quarrel with nor insult others, which will incite general hatred. "To cultivate virtue and practise frugality, and guard against extravagance and effeminacy.

"To prise reputation and honor, and guard against vulgarity and greed."