Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1894-11-29
The japanese as They Are.


Rear Admiral Belknap, retired, in
his recent letter to The Ne,O York Sun
concerning the Japanese, pays their
martial spirit splendid tribute.
He says that the annals of Japan for
the past 1000 years show as much
personal valor, strategic ability. and
heroic incident as can be found in the
history of Great Britain or of any 9TH
er European power during that period.
Niutaku, the emperor who ruled some
time in the fourth century, was as wise
a prince as the great Alfred. and did
as much for his people. The reign OF
the Empress Sukio, two centuries later,
was as good for her subjects as was
that of Queen Elilizabeth for English
men nearly 1000 years after. Will
liam the Conqueror was more than
eaualed as soldier and as a statesman
by Yoritomo, while others whose
names are easily recalled, were the
equals of the Black Prince. Richard
Occur de Lion, Marlborough, Give and
Wellington.
As hand to hand fighters no Europ-
can race ever passed the japanese, and
if Give had invaded their country he
would have been driven into the sea.
Since Commodore Perry visited ia
pan in 1858. her progress has been
more rapid than that of any other
country in the world. After 1868 feu-
dalism was apolished and the Japanese
soon leaped into the front rank OF Ma
tions. Their army is now the equal OF
the British army in organization anc
equipment, and superior to it in hom-
ogeneity, mobility and discipline
Their navy is patterned after British
and American lines, and is one that
any nation might envy
The japanese statesmen have watch
ed the d-grabbing policy of England
and they are determined that she shall
not play any tricks with Japan. 1t i;
their avowed intention to make theil
country the England of the Pacific, ane
that is her status to-day.
Admiral Belknap calls attention te
the speedy collapse of China in the
war now being waged, and pronoun
ces Ping Yang and Yalu among The
most momentous land and sea fights o
modern times. The instant mobiliza
ton of the Japanese army, with 1t
complete preparation for every detail
of foreign service, contrasts favora
bly with the delay and laundering o
the British during the Crimean war
and the readiness of the japanese ma
w makes superior showing over th'
British navy in the same war.
When the present conflict ends ia
pan will take her place as one OF tn
conquering nations of the century, ant
she will not stand any nonsense from
any power. With her army and navy
Krupp guns, strong forts and heav.
batteries, she will be prepared to drive
off or destroy any hostile fleet. ADM
raj Belknap concludes as follows:
have seen in recent years the OIL
GERS and crews of English and Japan
ese ships of war under various circun
stances. / have seen an English &C
miral handle force of ten ships i
japanese waters and japanese adm
raj maneuver a fleet of TWENTY-FIVE
ships, aid do not hesitate to expires
the opinion that were English an
Japanese fleets of about equal strengt
to meet in battle the chances would b
as favorable to the Japanese as to tn
English. The Japanese will fight; lie
there be no mistake about that. Th
sun does not shine on more deter
mined or more intrepid race than thi
of Japan. Che martial spirit of Japa
antedates that of Britain; and herea
ter, whether on land or sea, the arc
robber of the universe will find all sh
cares to meet if she comes into hosti
contact Win tDe lOFCeS VI bdl NipPo'
The growing strength of the BIRTHS
navy is menace to the rest of til
world; it is intended to be. and as sue
it ought to be crushed. The sun fla
of Japan may yet humble the prou
flag of Britain. Such may be the di
tinction reserved to that newcOm'
among the nations.
IF ho
the east will surprise some of our rea
ers, but it is the deliberate opinion
one of our ablest naval officers WI
has made special study of the subJec
atlanta Constitution.