What explains the attitude of the General in the matter of the enemy soldier? Was it human consideration, lack of national loyalty, dereliction of duty or simply self absorption?
Dr Sadao knew that the General needed his medical assistance as he was undergoing medical treatment. So Sadao thought of taking advantage of the situation. He told the General what had happened and how he saved the enemy. He tried to make the General understand that the General is not dependent on him as a doctor if he needed services for his treatment. But the General trusted no one but Sadao to treat him. Thinking about his personal well-being the General now assured Sadao that no one will know of the incident about the enemy and he will arrange for the enemy to be killed in a way no one will know. But, the General didn’t seem to send his men to Sadao’s house, so Sadao helped in the enemy’s escape.
Sadao now narrated everything that happened to the General, who apologised for having failed to keep up his promise. He explained to Sadao that he had taken ill so badly that he could not think of anything else. But the General now assured Sadao that in case the authorities question him in connection with the enemy, he would stand in support of him, and his action would not be considered as lack of national loyalty or dereliction of duty but as human consideration.