The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-15
ARMY OF JAPAN.
Historical Society Listens to n Dis
cusSiOm of 1T.

The state historical society met at
the state capitol last evening and those
present listened to two very interest
ing addresses. d. l.. Kingsbury, of
the Eighth Minnesota, gave a very
thrilling and profitable description of
the Sully campaign against the In
dams in 1884. Mr.. Kingsbury took an
active part in the memorable campaign.
He detailed the hardships of the
journey and several battles with the
redskins.
Lieut. John H. Beacon, Third United
States infantry, of Fort Smelling, who
was attached to the Japanese army
during the recent Japan-China war at
the request of the American govern
ment, gave a vivid description of both
armies and their achievements. Lieut..
Beacon said he was attached to the
japanese army through the courtesy
of the latter government, and that
military etiquette would prevent him
from giving any detailed history of
the movements of the Jap forces. He,
however, narrated the events leading
UP to the great war and Illustrated on
a map the country over which the
great contest of arms ranged. Great
interest was manifested in the lieuten-
ants analysis of the armies of the two
nations. The Chinese army was COM
posed of the riff-raff of the empire
IO wear the uHllOGln OF the C011GSe
army was considered a sign of dis
grace. The soldiers had no interest
in their own cause. They were poorly
equipped, a greater portion of the regi-
mentS being armed with bows and
arrows, instead of guns.
Speaking of the military standing of
Japan, the lieutenant said the develop
ment of modern army commenced
about thirty years ago, and the army Of
today strictly tn q
speaker witnessed the battle of Port
Arthur, and saw more great modern
guns in action than We're possessed at
that time by the United States. Thirty
years ago Japan was controlled by a
military feudahsm. Individual dukes
kept standing armies ranging from
5000 to $4,000 men in their own name
The powers of the Western hemisphere
interested the Japanese government in
a reform, and these feuda1 systems
were broken up, and with the nucleus
taken from the feudal armies the pres
ent army of Japan was started. By
birth, intelligence and training, the
be found on the globe. The patriotism
of the people is astonishing. 1t per-
vades all classes and all ages. The
people look upon the flag Of the coun-
try as a sacred object and expect to
see it carry influence and power into
all parts of the world. The country
was called Nippon, meaning the Land
CT the Rising Sun. The new flag Of
Japan was composed of white field
and a great rising sun. Lieut.. Beacon
said the people of all civilized countries
should look seriously upon Japan as
one of the great nations.
Briefly referring to- the war, Lieut..
Beacon said the terms of surrender
dictated by Japan. were as humane as
those Of any civilized nation Chinese
prisoners were discharged and provid-
ed with two days rations. The bodies
of Admiral Ting, the greatest Chinese
admiral and six Of his fellow officers,
who committed suicide on suffering de-
feat, were sent home on one of his own
ships which the Japs returned after
it's capture.
Judge Charles E. Flandrau, who was
in Japan in 1884, gave an interesting
talk upon the military development of
the Japanese and recited several per-
sonal incidents which came under his
observation while in the Orient
Home money to loan at lowest rates
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out gold clause and with the con or
before" privilege at our State Savings
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MINI. SITS.