The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1904-08-30

KYOTO, JULY 10-There are many
good reasons to account for the super
iority of the Japanese soldier, as de-
veloped in Manchuria, and it would
have been very strange had he not
shown the character, courage. endur-
ance and determination that have SIS
tinguished him in this war. Military
experts who have had an opportunity Of
observation and experience in the field
say that he is the best soldier in the
world. He had very little chance to
show what he was good for in the war
of 1895 with China, because he met with
so little resistance, but among the al
lied forces that marched to the relief
of Picking in 1900 the Japanese detach-
ment. by their unanimous verdict, mar
ched the fastest, fought the best, show
ed the highest degree of efficiency and
the most perfect discipline. by common
consent they We're given the first place,
and thus far in the war with Russia
they have justified the expectations of
their admirers.
More than in any other nation is the
army a part of the people of Japan, and
the people part of the army. 1t is
truly an army of citiz7ns, because, when
every abIe-bodied young man becomes
a practical soldier, and has three years
of actual and nine years of semi-annual
service before him. In other nations
armies are enlisted and paid. In Japan
there are no enlistments; everybody
must serve except invalids, employees
of the government and Few other
persons. and YOU never heard of ia
panese immigrating to avoid service
Students in colleges and academies re-
cognized by the government are exempt
while they are pursuing their STUDIES
but the moment thy graduate or leave
college for any other reason they are
subject to military service. Nor is there
any reward for this service except pat
Iiotism.
The part of the ordi orr enlisted man
in the Japanese army amounts TO =,
cents a month. The sergeant major oi
a regime mt, the highest non-commission'
ed officer gets 81 a month. Nor are tht
officers paid Ly better A sub-lieuenanl
receives about $40 a year-not quite 81.
| a month in American gold; SECOND
lieutenant receives $165 a year and q
full general receives S2966, which Is
about the same as a captain of cavalry
| in the United States army. Between 'll'
two the pay is graded according tC
rank. OF course n ney goes great oea
farther in Japan than in America oil
that has been the case until recently
but II is rapidly becoming quite as eX
pensive to live here as in Europe. AT
army officer, however, must live very
simply, according to the regulations
and many-perhaps most Of them
manage to get along upon their pay
without other means of support.
The Japanese soldier lives a very
strenuous life during the three year.
of service as a conscript. lie rises al
& o'clock In the morning and Is KEEP
busy until o'clock at night when ~
is required 20 be IN hl7 little bunk IL
not only has much drlll and parad'
work, but spends several hours a day II
gymnastics, rife practice, fencing bay
onet Ashung and wrestling. lie als'
sTiends four hours day al his book
because the Japanese have a theor
that the cultivation of the mind WI
add 10 the efficiency Of soldier aa wei
AZ the development Of tho muscles