The San Francisco call., 1897-07-04
MILITARY POWER OF JAPAN.

The successful termination of the war with
China together with the marked disproportion
in territory and numbers of the combatants.
drew public attention forcibly to the new
military power in the fer East
For some time opinoas were freely ex-
pressed that Japan would prove serious
menace 10 the European powers and projects
in the East Although such views have now
been proven to be premature, from present in
dications the england of the East" is quite
prepared TO take her place as one of the mill
tary powers. Side by side with the most re-
markable development of industries and mer-
chant marine that the present century has
witnessed we now behold q corresponding de-
velopment of Japans military ana naval
strength.
Briefly, the results of the war were TO ex-
pose the weakness end corruption of the
Chinese empire, to exhibit Japan civil
lied power and military factor of first-ra te
Importance in the far East, ana to give her a
commanding position and interest in the af-
fairs OF Korea. The acquisition of Formosa
also offers an outlet for the supeIfiu popu-
latlon. The war has also DEVELOPED an an
tagon1sm between japan and Russia which
may be considered as a permanent and most
important factor in Eastern politics. With
Russia stretching out for deep-water termi-
nus for her traus-Siberian railway, and the
prestige of England distinctly threatened, the
political horizon is yet far from clear
China, with her millions of population, is
no longer regarded as a military factor of any
importance in the problem, but rather as
country to be divided in the struggle for en-
Dire. The parallel 10 India be lore the con-
quest is in most respects striking.
To sustain her new position Japan has
standing army of $4,000 officers and men.
According to the adopted programme these
numbers are to be gradually increased during
the next ten years so that in 1906 she will
have an army of 144,070 composed of 6570
officers, IA SS7 non-commissioned officers and
122 ,313 rank and file. If to these be added
the reserves and lahdwehr the army i'll 1906
will number over a half million men. This
force will be maintained at cost which to US
appears ridiculous, but when the lower scale
OF wages and SUI pies OF all kinds IN Japan is
considered the relative cost is more nearly
that incurred by Western nations.
In any estimate of Japan's militar5 strength
not only numbers merely but the qualities of
the nations soldiers must be taken fully into
account. In m alters OF organization ber army
has little TO learn, but whether it could stand
up before the well-disciplined and ably led
troops of Europe remains to be seen. On this
point but little can be learned from the results
of the Chinese-Japanese war. The Japanese
soldier has been proven to possess discipline,
perseverance and great endurance, but his
fighting qualities and the capacity of the Jap
anese officers for command have not, i must be
admitted, been put to very severe test.
Thus, in the campaign of Port Arthur re-
sui ting in the annihilation Of the Chinese
army and the capture OF one OF the strongest
fortresses in the world, the Japanese lost only
about As killed and $50 wounded. Com
pared TO the losses Of even a single battle in
our Civil War, these figures appear ridicu-
lous that they can be explained only by the
well-known fact that the resistance offered by
the Chinese was of the most contemplate
nature.
At present Japan can easily put into the
fed seven thoroughly effective divisions of
Ia 900 each, SO that she can mobilize we'll
equipped, modern army of 100000 men, ex-
elusive of the reserves and others kept be-
hind for garrison duty
In most respects, 1t will be noticed, Japan's
military position is similar to that OF England
N o matter how efficient may be Japan's army
it will be of little use outside the Mkado's
dominions unless she has command of the
sea- This fact was illustrated in the recent
war by the timid strategy on the part of the
Japanese previous to the destruction OF the
Chinese feet. These facts are SO we'll under
stood in japan that, side by side with the up
building of her army, she is putting forth
Kreat eHorts 10 become great naval power.
Evidently this Is the key OF the situation in
the East While it is extremely doubtful
whether Japan can control the sea unaided,
certain it is that she could If she could sue
Deed in forming an alliance with some naval
power like Great Britain.
While apparently Great Britain's interests
will suffer by the growth of Japan. still an
Englisn-Japanese alliance is not beyond the
bounds of possibility, and if for nothing but
to check Russias ambitions