out on the right side, just by the armpit.  Another is then thrust through in a similar manner from the right to the left side.  The executioner endeavors to avoid the heart in this operation.  The spears are thrust through in this manner until the criminal expires, but his sufferings are prolonged as much as possible.  Shinano told me that a few years ago a very strong man lived until the eleventh spear had been thrust through him.”

From these considerations, which might be supported by a multitude of illustrations, we conclude that in the past there has certainly been a great amount of cruelty exhibited in Japan, and that even to this day there is in this country far less sympathy for suffering, whether animal or human, than is felt in the West.

But we must not be too quick to jump to the conclusion that in this regard we have discovered an essential characteristic of the Japanese nature.  With reference to the reported savagery displayed by Japanese troops at Port Arthur, it has been said and repeated that you have only to scratch the Japanese skin to find the Tartar, as if the recent development of human feelings were superficial, and his real character were exhibited in his most cruel moments.  To get a true view of the case let us look for a few moments at some other parts of the world, and ask ourselves a few questions.

How long is it since the Inquisition was enforced in Europe?  Who can read of the tortures there inflicted without shuddering with horror?  It is not necessary to go back to the times of the Romans with their amphitheaters and gladiators, and with their throwing of Christians to wild animals, or to Nero using Christians as torches in his garden.  How long is it since witches were burned, not only in Europe by the thousand, but in enlightened and Christian New England? although it is true that the numbers there burned were relatively few and the reign of terror brief.  How long is it since slaves were feeling the lash throughout the Southern States of our “land of freedom”?  How long is it since fiendish mobs have burned or lynched the objects of their rage?  How long is it since societies for preventing cruelty to animals and to children were established in England and America?  Is it not a suggestive fact that it was needful to establish them and that it is still needful to maintain them?  The fact is that the highly developed humane sense which is now felt so strongly by the great majority of people in the West is a late development, and is not yet universal.  It is not for us to boast, or even to feel superior to the Japanese, whose opportunities for developing this sentiment have been limited.