Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-19
American Gunner's View of
the Japanese.
EVEN CHILDREN DRILL
TRAVELLER BELIEVES THE VEL
LOW MEN ARE FATALISTS.
Says They Go Into Battle With SmiI-
ing Faces-Are Either Fear
less or Bullheaded."

A good description OF the characteristics
Of the japanese soldiers who are bathing
with the armed masses of the car was
given by Max Hanson, a gunner's mate
late of the United States battle ship Ken
tucky just before he re-entered the naval
service at the Washington navy yard yes
terday. Mr.. Hanson worked on one OF the
big guns of the cruiser Raleigh Of Deweys
squadron which destroyed Montojos war
vessels in Manila bay May 1. 1893. He
travelled extensively through Japan, and
made quite a study of the dashing little
Jap as a soldier and sailor He also cor
rectcd several popular mistakes in connec-
tion with the battle of Manila bay.
THE Japanese he said. 'are the most
kindly and polite people 1 have ever met
abroad They are better in morals and
progressveness than the people of several
of the so-called civilized countries / have
visited. They are constantly getting new
ideas from western civilization. especially
the United States. The average Jap has
the notion that he can do anything that
any one else can do. They never see I'M
possibilities.
THAT is the secret of their successes so
far In their war with Russia. One year
before the present war while / was maxi
ing a trip through Japan, the populace was
and fully confident that once the
armies of the mikado met those of the
car victory would perch on the banner of
Japan. AS Japanese sailor explained it
to me: We wait until there is much ice
and snow. Russias ships get frozen in.
When snow and ice come fight them
and win.
Either Peerless or Bullheaded."
Il don't know whether to characterize
the Japanese soldiers and sailors as fear
less or bullheaded. They are fatalists.
and 60 upon the firing line or into a naval
engagement with smiling happy faces. In
a charge the" have a dash which Is par
ticularly and peculiarly Japanese. The Japs
are the most mobile soldiers in the world,
1 believe aud their sweeping charges and
rapid flank movements are resistless. The
sturdy Russians cannot withstand them,
even in frontal attacks against intrenched
positions. as has been shown in recent
gagements. The japanese soldiers also re-
Quire but little food while on the march,
and are therefore not hampered by long.
numbering commissary trains like the Rus
SLAMS.
THE japanese are born soldiers The
martial spirit is 50 strong in that country
that on the streets of the principal cities
1t Is common sight to see companies of
boys. from almost infancy to young man.
hood. and even girls, marching about in
military fashion and drilling with sticks
or toy guns. and always bearing in mnia-
ture the white. red-centered flag of their
native land. Military tactics and evolu-
tons are taught In their schools. and they
are taught patriotism from the cradle until
they reach their majority.
How Men Are Selected.
I'm selecting men for the artillery service
in Japan those are picked out who are
heavy and have the greatest muscular de-
velopment: the gunners are therefore
weighty, brawny fellows The highest
men are selected for the cavalry, and tho
mediums for the infantry. The Japs make
good seamen and gunners. They follow the
lines of English seamanship and wear the
English style of sailors uniform
Mr.. Hansen said that when Admiral
Dewey's warship dashed into Manila bay
early on the morning OF May 1 they passed
directly over mines The Spaniards In the
shore defenses tried to set them off but
failed TO explode them for some reason.
probably defective competitions
Why Dewey Withdrew.
You have read. no doubt" said Hanson
that Admiral Dewey's ships, after c,rcling
in front Of Montojo's vessels several times
and pouring into the latter terrific rain
OF shot and shell each time they passed
them. retired out into the bay and out OF
range of the Spanish guns to allow the sea-
men to get breakfast as they had only had
bootleg Of coffee before going into ac-
uon. Now as a matter of fact the retire.
ment into the outer bay was not particu-
larry TO provide the men with breakfast
Uut 10 take an inventory of the ammuni-
tion supply of the fleet report had been
made to Admiral Dewey that there re-
manned but sixty projectiles to each shin
AFTER about two and a half hours' circIin1
ana nring After the inventory was taken
II was found that there were about sixty !
PtoJecIies Tor each gun in the squadron.
instead or each ship. as had been erroneous
~ isporleo Inc gunners were told to take
good aim. and the American war.h;,,
steamed back into action and quickly nut
the Spanish fleet out of business DN@
hanson described the result of a small
ST., rom one OF the Spanish ships which
STRUCK small provision box on the crnisar
baltimore and exploded It's contents FIv-
ing splinters and fragments slightly wound
Gu SIX or seven American sailors