Japan.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 10, 12 May 1915, Page 6

Japan.

PRISONERS TOO HAPPY. JAPANESE WAY WITH GERMANS. An interesting statement respecting the treatment of German prisoners by the Japanese at Kiau-chau is contained in an English newspaper, which says:— “The Japanese Government, which has throughout shown the greatest consideration for ‘alien enemy’ residents, and allowed the German prisoners of war captured at Kiao-chau to roam about freely on pleasure excursions, has now withdrawn the latter privilege for a characteristic reason. The Government considered that the. visible happiness of these soldiers, who had laid down their arms in order to save their lives, might ‘undermine the national character.’ To a Japanese soldier, it is taught) as a point of holier, that he should die rather than surrender. The Japanese are shocked by the fact that this war has produced already a million prisoners. The sight of men who have so far departed from their duty as soldiers,- as to surrender to the enemy, going* about cheerfully, and showing no signs! of being; in any '' way ashamed of themselves, is calculated, it is felt, to confuse the simple morality of the Japanese people. This is the sole reason, so the officer in charge of the prisoners declares, why they are no longer allowed to wander freely about the country,”