Evening star., 1902-09-15
JAPANESE STAFF COLLEGE.
Where officers Are Trained for the
Imperial Army.
From the Chicago Inter ocean.

From the Chicago Inter Ocean.
The United States Staff College is now
an established part of our military educa-
tional system. and in the opinion OF the
army it IS one of the greatest of all the
great improvements effected by the prcscn:
Secretary Of War
In this come ction it is Interesting to note
that Japan. IN spite Of the fact that she
entered the international arena IN competf-
tiOn with the worlds great nations only
within decade or two, has pOss ssel q
staH college since 1882
II was modelled originally after the Prus-
sian staff college and has had some promi-
merit German officers IN duty as Instructors.
Three years after it's organization the great
German authority OF tactics Major (n0W
Major GeneraD Mackel came in that ca
pactty and remained for four years, during
which time he placed the Institution on a
hrm foundation and introduced Krie gsspiel
and general staff rides of instruction. be
sides reOrganiZing the entire JaDancsa
army. He was followed by the two Ger
man officers who, afterward rose 10 the
rank Of major general.
It's directors have also been prominent
men In the Japanese army: among them
the present minister Of war and governor
general OF Formosa. the late chief of the
general STAN kawdkami, the present com
manders of the Sth and 9Th divisions, and
the present assistant chief Of the general
STAN The course is three years and or!gf-
naily only fifteen lieutenants were admitted
in a class. but this number has been gradu-
ally increased, until today fifty admit
ted annually
One Of the important features is the re-
turn Of stan officers and students to line
duty. The course of each year begins on
December i, and ends early in June but
from August till the end of October the
students are sent To the various arms of the
service to learn the duties Of branches
other than their own and TO take part in
a IntlI hos n ItYFN-
foruhcat!ons and artillery target pra ctice
and on battle ships. At the end Of the
three years course all the students take
part in the general stafr rides OF instruc-
ton. and are then ordered back to III i
OWN arm OF the service.
The graduates receive a medal worn like
an order. on the uniform. and the first five
Or six are preSe nted by the emperor with a
sword of honor. Even the military in
structors are ordered to serve ro~ time
with the various arms OF the service After
years service with troops the best of the
graduates are ordered TO duty in the Gen
eral stan, and after one or two years are
permanently assigned TO the general staff
Of the corps.
naval tactics). military history general
STAN duty Organization. maneuvers mobiIi-
zat!on. supply of armies, TRANSPORTATION of
troops. etc.). military geography, artillery
and small arms, fOrtifications, attack and
defense OF Qualifications admins rat tion
military hygiene, law. riding, languages
general history. general topography and
sketching. The general stan rides cover
forty or fifty miles
The interest taken in this schOSl Is evil
denced by the fact that. although only Off
GERS of at least two years service with
their regiments are eligible and then only
upon the recommendation Of their imme-
diate superfors, at least 100 come up an
nually for the entrance examinations, al
though only fifteen can enter. The success
Of this institution Is of particular interest
20 us just now, as our own stan college is
being organized. and the good elements
oould b adopted Tor our own school.