The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-08-22
NATION OF SOLDIERS.
Japan Has Long Been Prepar-
ing to Fight China.
CHILDREN TAUGHT TO SHOOT.
Mr.. Carr others. Who Resided Twenty
Years In Japan, Tells of the Young
Empires Progress.

Lopez island has among its residents
rancher named c. Carrothers. a native
born American who is thoroughly con-
versant with the japanese language, the
result of twenty years spent in Tokyo.
Osaka and Yokohama as teacher of the
English language in the Japanese govern
ment schools and colleges. Mr.. Carrothers
has been back from Japan for two years,
living on his ranch on Lopez island with a
Japanese family. The extensive travelling
Mr.. Carrothers did through Japan has
made him familiar with the affairs of that
country, and his views on the present con-
fict between China and Japan as given 10
a reporter of the Posr- lNTELLTGEScER last
evening are interesting and instructive:
THE Japanese government has not al
lowed itself to be drawn into this conflict
without counting the cost The Japanese
people are the most patriotic in the world.
and they are now thoroughly ready for
war for which they have been quietly pre-
pairing for many years. This preparation
has not been confined to the military de-
partmeut alone. bat in all the primary
schools as we'll martial spirit is
Inoculated IN the mind of every
boy, the younger classes being
drilled in military tactics with wooden
real guns are taught to use them as part of
their regular studies. This makes SOL
der OF every man Ia Japan. and as this
has been carried on very quietly for
many years, you can see that when
the emperor calls on his people
to light, they come not as recruits
but as disciplined soldiers with plenty of
genuine patriotism 10 sustain their efforts
This military teaching is strictly carried
ont in all the schools, pupils have to
salute their teachers and general milf
tary discipline underlies every step of
students career in the government
schools. even to a uniform. which every
pupil has to wear.
="China is jealous of Japan on account
OF its rapid growth in civilization and
strength, and is beginning TO fear it. while
Japan, on the contrary, feels very much
like a young athlete after finishing his
course of training. strong. healthy. trained
down 10 a tine point aud eager 10 do battle.
aud with my knowledge of the country
aud its people | ann inclined 10 the belief
that Japan will via, for the numerical
strength of China ia this instance Won't
serve her, for the reason that China IS
honeycomhed with piratical bands that
threaten every part OF her dominion.
JapAn, on the other hand. since the aboli-
ton of Daimios or petty kingdoms. IS one
united kingdom, very much on the En-
glish system. aud equally effective.
The perfect system OF railroads In
Japan will permit of the rapid movement
OF troops, while for marching they have
the great national highway called the
Tokaido. a splendidly Inacadam zed road
some hfiv feet vide, 500 miles long, run-
ming through the main japanese
island. This grand thoroughiRre is lined
on botn sides with pines whose tops Join
aud form a shady passage on the hottest
a act inf -
munitions OF var. even guns. AZ osaka,
which Is the largest manufacturing center
In the empire and - near the old capital
OF X toto, west Of Yokohama
Yes the emperor - progressive thor
ogghly Earouean ia Eis tastes aud habits,
dresses as a European and opcus his pal
ace 10 visitors. When passing along the
street IN his Carriage every oae takes OF
his hat Ia quiet Difference, anu no other
demonstration - made.
The English language is now taught
throughout the empire IA al! the schools.
They use the American readers; that Is
they reprint the American readers on
their own cheap paper and sel Them at a
small cost The Japanese are great read
eTs, snd especially Of newspapers. Every
town has its newspaper, not weekly
bat daily. Yokohama has three English
newspapers AMI any number OF monthly
magazines In the japanese language
stfcHAtNG AAA ohHer wise Tor bAe ! AfAnss s
sre great students. Cheap novels also
tad = ready sale there. which are mostly
tranSlstions 81 all Of our American CHEAP
literature. but they sell vel ana an ina
mense business Is carried on IN them.
BY the way. understand that the
artlhcisi hArbOr thaf has been IN course Of
construction az Yokohama fer three rear.
= about haf finished. Yokohama. wIth
lts population Of l5o.oD. 10 growing
rapidly. au4 is shipping has a.
ways been endangered foT waat
Of 5 ore&kwater. THIS new harbor will ~
ford safe anchorage in deep water and
obssats the necessity Of R.ing lighters, az
Al present, IN dlschsrging cargo, besides
protecting ships from typAooas and save
taeEn from being driven ashore. The
money used for this artificial harbor
includes tAs s7ao 90 retained 10
The japanese government 81 the American
government being = ire imposed bv q
number u foreign governments for the
sapAasse airing On vessels pAsslag aetSssa
tao u tAsir main tslauds.
lea, lie climate q yspaa IA much lxs