The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1904-08-30
THE JAPANESE ARMY
THE SORT CONSCRIPTS UNDERGO BEFORE
THEY MADE A MIKADOS MILITARY FORCES
AN EDUCATION THAT MAKES PRIVATE ARMY
INTELLIGENT

Therefore. when the conscript finishes
his three wears of training, he is not
only an almost perfect fighting machine
but he is an intelligent, educated pat
riot
And beyond all that, and even more
important, is the material of which the
army is made We boast that the effici-
ency of our volunteer forces is due to
their intelligence and individuality
and the feeling of responsibility that
governs every man who carries mus
ket. That is true, even to a greater
degree, in Japan. This war is an in
dividual matter with every soldier.
Every boy in the ranks knows what ne
is fighting for and feels a personal res
possibility. He is not in the army as
a profession, nor by choice, nor the pay
but because his emperor requires his
services, and he takes his patriotism on
the field of battle as well as his brains
and muscle. Each private feels that
the result of the struggle with Russia
depends upon his personal conduct
Never was an army educated by such
a high sense of duty and patriotism
If he falls upon the field of battle II
is the highest privilege of a citizen 10
die for his country, and his religion
teaches him that eternal happiness and
honor will be his reward.
Absolute Indifference to death has
been witnessed upon every battlefield.
The death list on the Japanese side mas
been appalling. The official report OF
the storming of Nanshan, for example
gives the Japanese loss as $500 Those
are eloquent figures. Regiment AFTER
regiment charged the Russian fortihca-
tions at double quick, in the face OF ter
rife cannonading, to the very muzzles
of the uuick-firing Russian rifles. When
the front rank went down the second
leaned over the dead and wounded, and
then the third. and thus regiment fol-
lowed regiment without the slightest
hesitation, until the trenches were
finally reached and the guns were taken
This was not a reckless disregard OF
danger. It was not an eXhlpltlon oL
contempt of life, but IL was cool anu
deliberate performance OF what the
Japanese soldiers consider their duty,
and their courage is based upon soilu
foundation of moral and mental lraln-
ing and is a characteristic that has peeh
developed under patriotic influences
Wherever volunteers nave beeh caiieu
for duty Of extreme peril every man
present has offered himself, and COM
manders no longer ask for volunteers
ut is useless. They deliberately make
details.
The continuous victories Of Japan are
thus explained, and the reasons can be
appreciated more fully by those who
are acquainted with the personnel OF
the Russian army, which is composed
OF Ignorant peasants, not per cent oil
whom are able TO read or write or know
what they are lighting for. They are
faithful, loyal and obedient, but have
no individuality. Hundreds OF years
OF oppression have eXtingulshed IT, The
Russian soldiers are the sons or the
sarfs who We're theoretically enamel
pated by Alexander II, but In moal
eases are stlu az much slaves as then
fathers were, They go into battle al
the command OF their officers they
night as they are ordered 10 do, and
they retreat when they hear the word
of command stold, stupid, faithful
like an OK or "a dog Rut when thell
0illoers fan them or they are frightened