Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 April 1895 — JAPANESE WAR SONGS. [ARTICLE]

JAPANESE WAR SONGS.

To Incite the Mikado’s Troops to Deeds of Valor. The following war songs were composed, says the Japan .Mail, by Mr. Yokoi Tadanao, a compiler in the staff office, in accordance with the command of H. I. H. Prince Arisugawa, for the Japanese troops in 1 Corea. They are called “ToseiGunka War Songs, for the Chinese Expedition.” “Strike and chastise the Chinese troops, for they are cowards —they suoDort the government of China

which spurns the honorable friendship of the empire and offers resistance to the empire. However great their armies in number, they are in reality an undisciplined rabble, and however fine their arms look, they are useless like fine ladies in pictures. In the naval battle of Hoto, China’s war-ships were destroyed, and in the battle of Seikwan its troops were routed. The ships so frail, the troops so weak, how can they withstand us, even though their number be counted by millions? Strike and chastise China, strike and chastise China.” “China is a country where in bygone days teachings of sages prevailed; but as time rolled on the country has become retrogressive. It boasts of itself as the Celestial kingdom, but its heart is barbarous and is the very reverse of celestial. Till its ignorance is dispelled, the sky of the Orient must ever be dark. Now is the time to plant the flag of the Rising Sun on the walls of Pekin and to illuminate its darkness. This is the duty of our glorious empire, the land of the Rising Sun. Go forth, go forth, imperial army, march in emulation till Pekin is taken.” “If warriors go to war by land the turf shall receive the bodies of the slain. From time immemorial our gallant warriors have gone forth in swarms. Human life lasts but fifty years; who would wish to purchase a few miserable years of life at the cost of dishonor ? March and fire as long as breath remains, for our lives are at the disposal of the sovereign, our bodies are to be sacrificed to the glory of the country; let soldiers die with all their wounds in front. The souls of those that thus defy death shall be through the ages to come the guardian angels of Oriental tranquility. So go forth, go forth, ye warriors, warriors go forth.”

“War is not waged tor the sake of Corea alone, but it is the emperor’s will to promote the future welfare of the Orient. Respecting the dread will of the emperor, strive unceasingly against the enemies of peace until the emperor’s will is attained. Wherever a standard is unfurled we fight in the presence of our sovereign; strive then to fulfill the royal commands and to deserve the royal commendation ; your superior’s eommand expresses to you the will of the emperor; fight heedless of all but duty, though rifle bullets fly round you thick as hailstones. If you fight with this unflinching spirit, nothing will be impossible to the arm of Japan. Then tho ‘Golden Eagles’ will be ready to reward your glorious deserts. Then having firmly and permanently established peace, completed your duty, and relieved the emperor’s anxiety, you may return chanting triumphant songs.”