Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-16
Col wantanabs Discusses the Japan
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TALK With New MILITARY ATfACHE
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Best European Systems Carefully
Copied.
THOROUGHLY UP TO DATE

Lieut.. Col. Wantanabe, the first repre-
sentative of the Japanese army to be ac-
credited to Washington as military attache.
arrived today AMI reported to the japanese
legation He is a type Of the Japanese Of
ncer, OF stocky build, wiry and alert. AL
tnough not serving in the recent military
operations In China. he was there during
the Japan-Ch1na war, and witnessed the
heavy hghting around Port Arthur and
Wei-hai-wei. When seen at the Japanese
legation today he gave an interesting out
line OF the development of the modern jap
anese army and its fighting organization.
Best Systems Copied.
Inc present military system OF Japan is
thoroughly MODERN" said he. land is SIM
mar to the best European systems, those of
Germany being followed to a considerable
extent The present system was adopted
some twenty-five years ago, and has grad
ually been perfected, until there is not a
TSlnhant OF the old native fighting forces
Inc peace footing Is from 10000 to 80, 600
men, with war footing about double that
NUMBER, and reserves which can be called
upon 10 an almost unlimited number. The
army is divided into thirteen divisions. with
a seheIai IN command Of each. We have
Inree held Embellishments. Prince
homatsu and Oyama-whose duties are
cnieny OF an advisory character, and are
th no s a,lsctiy connected with the service in
the neld Besides these we have three gen.
eraIs OF high rank-Nodzu. Sakuma and
huIo kl|Who take part in military affairs
anu are superior to the generals of division.
ouI iniitary administration is much like
snat IN european and American armies.
Inc headquarters staff has general charge
VI mntary information and concerns itself
WIN the larger questions Of warfare, STRAIT
esy ana plans of campaign. The war de-
partment carries on the administration of
the commissary and other branches, there
Deihs no distinction in our service between
the commlssary and Quartermaster depart
ments.
Most Modern Equipment.
Inc Japanese troops are armed and
equipped with the most modern devices of
warfare, the latest rapid-fire inventions be-
Ing added about three years ago. The prtn-
cipal neidpiece Is a five-inch gun, and with
this are mountain guns and rapid fire
pieces Our rifle is distinctively japanese
weapon. made in our own arsenals and
combining the best features Of the other
most effective WEAPONS. It Is breech-load-
ing, the opening of the breech expelling the
exploded shell. Not shly are our rifles and
other small arms made at home but all
the heavy gunstare tsaow being manufac-
tured in Japanese arsanals. The arsenal at
TOKYO furnisheS4he rifles and ammunition
ana the other at-Osaka turns out the field
guns. mountain s,unss and seacoast batter
les We have adopted smokeless nowder
ordnance. To- 81 "
well-Drilled soldiery.
Our soldiers are ,well-drilled, and ex-
per1ence mas shown them to be capable Of
great mobility. The regular uniform Ia a
dark blue. with various colored stripes to
designate the infantry, artillery, cavalry.
engineers and colmmissary. The troops re-
Gently sent to China were furnished with
white linen uniform in order to with
stand the heat. but this has developed that
white made our menia conspicuous mark,
and the color will probably give way to a
neutral gray. The mem serving in China
are also furnished with a head -coverine. to
Keep OFF the rays of the sun.
Il have not had the good fortune to see
any OF the American troops serving in the
east, but We hear much Of them, and the
reports are always favorable as to their
splendid appearance courage and fighting
ability. l am glad. TO say. too, that there
Is the most friendly feeling between the
Japanese and American soldiers. and this
has frequently been shown during the re-
cent cooperation Of the allies in 3,hina