St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-07-28
THE WAR IN THE oKIENT.

War has broken out between Japan
and China--a war that will probably de-
termine for all time the question OF the
supremacy of the two races in the north
OF Asia. The contest may be short.
sharp aud decisive, or it may be long
and exhausting. Much will depend
upon the result of the first engagements
and upon whether or not European
powers will interfere in the interests of
peace or for purposes Of sef-advantage.
Left to themselves, the two races
would be about evenly matched. China
is the most popnlOus. and territoriaiiJ
oyerpowering. But the japanese
are the more Intelligent, the more
fertile In resources, and the best
prepared for the encounter. The
army of China consists of $4,000
priyates and 5, 460 officers. divided among
the several branches OF the service in
substantially the same proportion as
European armies are divided. The
navy is considerable, and many Of the
ships are of modern and powerful con-
struction. 1t consists Of one first-eiass
battle ship. one second-claSs and three
third-class; nine port defense vessels.
nine second-class and twelve third
class cruisers rated A, and thirt y-fiye
rated b, and forty-three torped boats.
all in good condition. Ali male citizens
capable of bearing arms are subject to
military duty, and the army may be i'll
creased in tue course of few months
to two OR three million men if arms and
equipments for such number can be
obtained.
The army of Japan is smaller than
that of her antagonist. as there has been
no necessity in that country for the
maintena. 90 of large force. 1t is or
ganiZed Oil q uniform system on the
basis of CONSUMPTION. All males of
twenty years are liable to serve i'll the
standing army seven years, Of which
time three years must be spent in active
service and four years in the army of
reserve. After quitting the army OF re-
serve they have to form part of the
landwehr for another five years; and
every male from seventeen up to forty
who is not either in the Ene. the reserve
or the landWehr must belong to the
landsturm, and is liable to be called to
service in times of national emeT-r
gency. La 1892, on peace footing, the
army consisted of six divisions COM
posed OF twelve brigades or twenty-four
regiments Of infantry (37,9 25 officers and ;
mem, six squadrons of cavalry (l.302
officers and men, 1.146 horsesy, eight +
regiments of artillery (5,42S officers and
men, 240 field and 100 mountain guns Z
and |, 655 herses), six battallors of en-
gineers t2,i75 officers and mem, six
train squadrons e. los officers and men
and 1,746 horseS). Including miscel-
laneous service. the total strength on
the peace footing is 1862 officers, 62, AL
noli-cOin miSsioned officers and men. SD
field guns, 156 mountain guns and S.79l
horses. There are besides six battaiions
of gendarmes n.u5S officers and men
and IS herses), and four battalions of
yeomanry e, 800 officers and men, The
reserve has strength of 1854. and the
landwehr. of 90, l76. The rifle used in
the army is the Murata. invented in
Japan few years ago.
The navy Is small. consisting of five
armered cruisers, nine second class
cruisers, one first-class and forty
Second-class torpedo boats. All are in
good condition and thoroughly manned
and armed. The discipline of both the
army and navy is excellent, and the
mode Of warfare is patterned after Eu-
ropean methods. the tactics being
combination of the best features of the
French and German systems.
The Japanese enjoy the reputation of
being better fighters than their neigh
bors. Their patriotism and devotion to
their rulers are exceptionally intense.
For these reasons there is greater doubt
of the outcome than would seem pessi-
BILE from the disparity in numerical
strength between the two nations.
The dispute involves the question of
supremacy upon the island of Corea.
The natives of that kingdom are law
less, piratical set, whose depredationS
have long been menace to the COM
merce of the Orient. 1t has been mani
fest for years that they must be subju-
gated, and Japan undertook the task,
not in the interest of seif-aggrandiZe-
ment or for the purpose of extending
her domain. but simply TO rid commerce
of all enemy that was destroying it.
China, whose power to suppress the
affection had long been acknowledged,
questioned the right OF Japan to take
the step, and hence the present com PHI
cations. The right is all on the side of
Japan; 1t may transpire that the might
resides with China.