The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-01-19
CHINA AND JAPAN.
A Naval Lieutenant Contrasts tho
Two Oriental Nations.
JApAN'S MARVELLOUS PROGRESS
Is Compared With tho Disorgnnizcd,
lnadhosivo Chinese Nations Back.
wardnoss--h Prediction That Was
Hoalized-An Instance OF tho Blind
Superstition OF tho Powers That DO
IN China.

Lieutenant W. q. p. Muir, OF tho
United States navy, now on shoro duty
as instructor at tho Linsly Institute In
this city, takos quito an interest In tho
contest now being wagod, with tho two
oriental nations, Japan and China, as
tho participants. Several years ago tho
lioutonant was attached to one OF tho
vessels OF tho Asiastic squadron, tho
Enterprise, aud whilo in tho far east
had numerous opportunities TO observe
tho characteristics OF tho two peoples.
both OF the Same extraction, ono repre.
sonting tho spirit OF progress and tho
other still clinping to tho old habits and
customs, md totally lacking in tho up
to date, progressive qualities Of the
Japanese. Last evening no gavo some
OF his viows 10 a coterio OF friends at
the McLuro and very interesting they
are.
When tho Oriental war broke out last
year Lieutenant Muir was visiting his
father In Kentucky. Tho latter took
this view Of the situation; that Japan
would speedily DO overwhelmed by
mere force OF numbers. justa the south
was beaten in its struggle with tho
north third OF century ago. The
lieutenant then said that this would not
be tho outcome OF tho struggle; that
Japan was equipped better for tho war,
and that oven were she not the pro-
gressive. united, patriotic Japs would be
moro than a lnu,ch for the enormous,
but disunited and inadhesivc mass that
constitutes the Chinese nation. The
result has justified tho lieutenant's pre-
diction and proven the disloyalty OF the
Chinese to their Tartar rulers.
Tho lieutenant says that the Japa.
nese navy, so far as it goes, is a well or.
ganized and Differed organization.
Many OF the officers received instruc.
ton in our own naval academy at An
, napolis and in ability rank with the
officers OF any oil the modern day navies.
One feature that seems strange to the
American naval officer. whose advance
up the ladder OF promotion is exceed.
ingly slow. is the rapidity OF advance
in the navy OF the Pacifc's tight little
isle" Young men who wore at Annap-
oils when Lieutenant Muir was a cadet
now hold commands OF fleets, many OF
them being admirals before they reach
their thirtieth year. Merit is the path
| to honor there and the consequence is
highly efficient force made so entirely
through Japanese government and or
ganization-for foreign ers one not ON
ployed in Japan'a naval or military SER
vice.
On thu other hand tho Chinese navy,
though provided with some very fine
ships, all OF them built in European
shipyards, ia an ill commanded and ill
manned force. The Chinese naval Off.
Ger is subject to the same blind, super.
stitious directing power that hangs like
n pail over the nation and prevents the
navy from becoming the effective
power it might otherwise be.
Tho intelligent students educated in
this and European countries are not
given responsible positions on their re-
turn to China, but arc more or less
sneered at and kept in the background.
The following gives an instance OF the
lengths to which tho governing power
will 90: A Chinese vessel was in rough
winter and the captain Of the vessel was
unable to make comfortable a man.
DARN OF high rank who was on board.
This representative OF the government.
desired to escape the agonies OF seasick.
ness. A, common seaman volunteered
his assistance. his services were accept
ed by the high official. he got the vessel
in calm water by steaming around to
lcewaId OF an island near by, and the
gratitude OF the mandarin took the
form OF a promotion OF the seaman to