The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-06-20
JAPAN IN TRAINING.
The Doughty Ocean Empire Prepar-
inc For the Fray With Russia.

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"Japan has increased her fighting ca
pacity both in land and naval forces. with
q secrecy battling the astuteness OF even
Russia's diplomats. Notice this fact,
which appears to have escaped the OBJ
servation Of cur special correspondent.
The records Of the diet since its opening
in 1890 prove that the existence OF
cabinet in Japan was exceedingly brief,
unless, indeed, a crisis threatened the
nation. Under such circumstances there
is no more unanimous body of men than
Japan's legislature, although, in order to
stitle suspicion. discussions are IN order,
addressed 30 the gallery. If cabinet is
forced to resign. the premiership has IN
Yariably passed into the hands OF dlt-
ierent clan.
"Observe now that when Ito stepped
out his place was taken by Field Marshal
Yamagata, who, with Ito, belongs to the
Choshiu clan There was no need 1or
the services of that old willy diplomat
MARQUIS Ito, to check Russia. The man
for the hour was Yamagata, the expe-
rienced organizer Of armies, whose EN-
cheney had been tested. Nor did the diet
indulge in it's usual trades against Count
Matsukata, personally an unpopular man
with the hierarchy, but the foremost
fnancier, and whose services as such
were imperatively demanded. Japan
needed we'll drilled, we'll equipped ar
mics without the world being any tue
wiser. and Yamagata undertook to fur
nish them. Matsukata vas to provide
the necessary money and no doubt has
comnleted his work AS soon as lama-
gata resigns and is succeeded by Mar
ouis Ito it will be token that hostlllties
are imminent Under no other clrcum-
stances will Ito be called upon to take the
helm.
Japan has recently placed several
loans in England. Her minister to Lon
don. Mr.. kato Takeaki, is on Visit
home and recently delivered an address
upon England Of so complimentary q
tenor as to suggest that further favors IN
pecuniarv direction will be highly ac-
ceptable. The terms Of the address caus-
ed unqualified surprise, because, without
any tangible reason. strong anll-Ene-
lish sentiment prevails.
another fact, which has been passed
over without attracting comment, is the
recent promotion of Mr.. homura from
the Japanese legation at Washington to
that at St. Petersburg. The only Rus
sian diplomat who inspires feelings akin
to fear in Tokyo is Count Casslnl. who,
when representing the czar at Peklng.
with the great suavity deprived Japan OF
1he fruits of all her victories and appro-
priated them to his own country. It will
not cause any surprise if this most astute
of diplomats were called. at any time 10
the foreign Office at st. Petersburg, where
his intimate knowledge of Japan. Korea
and China will soon be Of the greatest
service
"It IS scarcely necessary to mention
that the Tsikishima, the largest and
deadliest of sea monsters, is hurrylng to
ioin Japan's by no means despicable fleet
The Full and the Yashima. two huge bat
tleships, have been ready for some time
Almost every doclyard in England. Ger
many and France has been pressed INTO
service to help increase Japan, navy lhe
United States contributed two cruisers,
the Kasagi and the Chitose. Nor were
the dockyards of Japan idle All these
ships are manned by crews to whom no
command ~ - more cheering than that
Of Gle action Every man Of
then, h: been taught and knows that
Japan's discontinue in tkt retrocesslon
of Port Arthur and the Lao Tong pen
insula was the work Of this foe. and such
knowledge will nerve the muscle and steel
the heart.'-R van Bergen in Alnslee,s
Magazine.