Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-04
The Deciding Factor in the
War in the East.
Mr.. EXT HIOKI'S VIEWS
ARRIVAL OF FIRST SECRETARY
OF THE JAPANESE LEGATION.
Believes That the Russian Army Can
Be Starved Out-EHect Of
Recent Successes.

eff Japan can maintain her supremacy
upon the sea there is, in my mind no doubt
that she will be victorious in the present
conflict AS long as Japan can con-
troll the seaccast frcm Vladivostok to
Port Arthur, she will be the master of
her own destiny" This significant state
ment, made this morning by Mr.. Eki
Hioki, the new first secretary of the jap
anese legation. who arrived in Washing
ton late last night, is but one of many
which that interesting diplomat made this
morning to representative of The Star.
Mr.. Hioki is one of the foremost of the
younger Japanese statesmen.
For years he has labored for the open
door policy in China. and with Minister
Conger and Consul General Goodnow, has
accomplished a great deal toward the COM
mercial emancipation of the Chinese. He
was one of the secretaries of the Japanese
legation in Washington in 1891 and 1892.
and was consul general at New York for
long while. Briefly, he is Japanese dip
lomat of the modern school. broadminded,
conservative and thoroughly patriotic.
Master Stroke of the War.
''The victory of the Japanese fleet at
Port Arthur and Chemulpo," continued Mr..
Hioki. will prove to have been the mas
ter stroke of the war. We realized that
Korea and southern Manchuria were
long way off from ST. Petersburg and Mos
cow. and that Russia would be unable to
maintain an army of any great size in
either of these two countries, unless she
could keep them supplied with ammunition,
equipment and provisions from one of the
Siberian or Manchurian ports. 1t is claim
ed now that Russia has 2OO,O 600 men at the
front. Think then how much provision is
necessary, particularly in winter weather.
TO protect such an army from cold and
hunger and disease. If Russia can main
tain this army she must exert every energy
and every facility.
IF she attempts to increase this army she
Will decrease her chances of victory be-
cause more than 200, 900 men cannot be sup
piled by the transcontinental railroad
The Chinese in Manchuria.
Then. too, the Chinese natives in Man
churia are restless. and have openly avowed
their friendship for Japan 1t would not
take such great force to attack that rail-
road guard at some favorable point and
destroy more track in an hour than Russia
could repair in a week. With 100000 Rus
SLAMS in the peninsula, their food supply
cut off on the north, and the Japanese navy
in control of the sea, the result is obvious.
That is why l say Japan need have no fear
so long as she is in control of the sea. At
the same time We can increase our army
and keep it well prOvisioned.
How large an army can Japan put into
the field thoroughly equipped?' was asked.
THAT is hard to say" replied Mr.. Hioki,
las We have never been put to the test, but
I believe that without difficulty we can
outnumber the Russians two to one, If
necessary.
What is the sentiment among the
masses in Japan
Patriotism of the Japanese.
'"They are seriously happy. I mean by
that that while they are joyful they are
not overjoyed. They have not lost their
heads, but look upon the progress of the
war with real serious and conservative
satisfaction AS an example of the pa
ariotism that has been aroused even in the
| hearts of the women and children. l Will
| tell you of something that happened just
| before / left Japan, less than month ago
| A friend of mine in Tokyo, who has
! handsome home, and a wife and five chill
| dren, was informed by the authorities that
| his house would be requisitioned for the
purpose of quartering soldiers. He was
| asked how many he could accommodate.
| After considering the matter carefully, he
| told the authorities he would take fifteen.
His five children had been considering the
| matter, too, and when they heard him
say fifteen, they said in chorus, Fifteen,
| why father you can take thirty. We
| don't mind being crowded, and II necessary.
| we will give up our own rooms. That is
| the spirit which prevails throughout the
| empire.