KŌBE, May, 1895.
DEAR PAGE,--It was _almost_ unkind, after all to have sent the very dear
picture, because it brought back too vividly hours of pleasant talk and
kind words and great projects and all sorts of things which have forever
passed away. But there was a pleasure in the pain too,--for it is quite
a help in life to feel that ever so far away there is somebody who loves
you, and whom Time will not quickly change. You look just the same. I--I
should scare you were I to send you a picture--you would think Time was
much faster than he is. For I am very ancient to behold.
Well, love to you for the picture....
Of news little to tell you that you do not get from other sources.
Japan has yielded the Liao-tung Peninsula; but the nation is full of
sullen anger against Russia and the interference-powers. The press is
officially muzzled; but there is no mistaking the popular feeling. Even
an overthrow of the existing Government is not impossible, and a return
to that military autocracy which is really the natural government of an
essentially military race. If the Japanese house of representatives had
not interfered seriously and idiotically with naval expansion, Russian
interference would have been almost impossible.
I was on the Matsushima yesterday, the flag-ship. She has few scars
outside; but she must have been half torn to pieces inside. Her decks
were covered only a few months back with blood and brains. She is only
4280 tons; and she had to fight with two 7400 ton battle-ships and
European gunners. She lost half her crew, but won gloriously. (The
Japanese really never lost one ship--only a torpedo-boat that got
run aground.) The people are proud of her with good reason; and the
officers let them come with their babies to look at the decks where
stains still tell of the sacrifices for Japan's sake.
Ever faithfully and affectionately,