The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-09-30
The Won MOLTKE OF
The NEW JAPAN
Marshal Oyama Not the Sort Of
Man to Make an Ideal
Soldier.
FATE AND TRAINING DO 1T
Taken From Mother When 4 Years
Old and Trained for Army-Com-
pellsd to Co Barefoot in Win
ter TO Tougher Him.

lessons of hardihood He was never al
lowed to Vince for pain or complain OF
hunger. He was compelled to go bare
foot in the snow in the winter to tough
en- him. In wintry winds he wore but
the thinnest clothes to keep his skin
from being tender. His days We're
spent in the practice of arms and
physical exercise; his nights in study
ing the bushido, or old Japanese code
OF honor, which taught the Samurai
mat life was nothing as compared with
the glory of his daimio or leader. Lit
tie Oyama was of sturdy stuff and
could stand the training which killed
many who are devoted to it.
At the age of 10 he had killed bear
unaided, and the same year he took
part In his first battle with the retain
erS or rival daimic. Young Oyama at
this time was passionately devoted to
ms cousin, the great Saigo, the head of
the Satsuma clan
After period OF the civil war in the
Sos, when the new regime was firmly
established, the young Oyana was sent
TO France as military attache to study
the organization of modern armies, and
had the opportunity of observing mod
ern warfare during the Franco-Ger-
man conflict of 1870
He remained abroad three years. and
on his return home was appointed u
general in the imperial army.
- 'ile oulDied Oh the SalSuGla re-
bellioN, headed by his cousin Saigo
and in which his own brother took a
leading part Oyama found himself in
painful dilemma: his loyalty 10 the
central government and to the person
or the emperor triumphed, however,
ana he took the field against his clans
men, and as commander Of the flying
brigade" fought bravey and success
fully until Saigo's fall
During the ensuing ten years OF re-
construction, which Marquis Yamagata
devoted TO establishing and pe"fecting
the standing army and to fortifying
the whole country, General Oyama was
his right hand man. Without him the
TASK could hardly have been accom-
pllsed, for, after Saigo's death, Oyama
mad come to be regarded as the repre-
sentative of the SatSu.:la clan and de-
fender of their interests, and he used
all MS influence to secure the co-opera-
ton Of the still powerful Salsuml ele-
ment.
To his credit it must be said that he
never took advantage OF his position
10 obtain political power. In the army
he has been steadily promoted, and he
has alternately with Yamagata, occu-
pied all the important posts. Twice
from lSS5-9O and from 1891 -92-he
mas been minister or war During the
war with China he was ordered to
Manchurla as commander in chief OF
the second army. In 1895. at the end
of the war, the title OF marquir was
conferred on him. and in 1898 lie was
made marshal and the following year
succeeded the late Prince Konatsu as
chief OF the general staff.
Marshal Oyama is almost the only
one left Of the older generals, as Mar
shal HamaSata's health has not per-
united OF his taking an active part
IN the present campaign.
There is more terrible story told
OF Oyana. When he went to fight with
the imperial forces against his cousin.
Saigo, the rebel, he left behind him a
beautiful young bride. 1t was the GUS
tom in those days-a custom now mod
ined-for L Japanese woman, ana es-
necially Japanese noble woman. to
keep herself in seclusioD. This duty
husbands absence. She must not then,
except for the gravest reasons, 20
abroad.
Many stories came to Oyan,a on the
battle field that his wife was di2re-
careful OF the custom of her caste She
was bringing disgrace not only upon
herself but upon his name. She
sTirched the bushido. Oyama heard
the stories but did nothing. He was
considered q sluggard. Samurai, thus
TO let his er-ing wife so unpublished,
At one time chance of war brought
him near thei. home. L seemed a good
opportunity for him TO pay it a Visit.
Ae could leave camp and be back again
Within twenty-four hours. But MOTH
Ing could move him from his duty TO
the emperor-uot even his own dis
grace. He stayed in camp
Finally the war was over. the rebels
were crushed, the imperial authority
was estabiished-and then Oyama went
home. His wife met him at the door
In the way which from time irl.memor-
!al faithful Japanese wives have met
their husbands on their return She
Frustrated herself before him on the
Intel. The victorious soldier bade her
rise. ToSsther they entered the house;
and from that day TO this nobody has
ever seen or heard of her who wa.
oyanla'S first wife.
That was old Japan.
But QSanla now is OF the new Ian
sn--not only IN public but in private
life. He has married again. His wife
/ s dressed always in European clothes.
and possessed 10 the fulles. extent the
liberties which are enjoyed by the
women in most of the European conn
tries The present MarchioneSs Oyama
vas born StenaZ Yamakama. She.
too, was a noble, the daughter of a
5aiwio. She was born in 1859.
When she was IL years old the gov
ernment suddenly decided to send
twenty young girls to the west to study,
Stenaz was one OF those selected. She
Was Visiting her brother. q short dis
lance nom her home. when the edict
reached her. She was given no choic,
In the matter. She was not even per-
rlitted to go back TO her own home
but WAS taken from her brothers house
ard sent to America. She reached
New England. where she was given n
place IN the home OF the Rev. DR.. Leon
ara Bacon OF the First Congregational
church OF New Haven. Here she STAYED
for eight years, and mastered The Eng
lish tongue In 1879 she entered Vas
sar college, from which she graduated
in 1852 Her commencement oratio,
Policy Toward Japan
She returned 10 her native land ans,
shortly afterwards married Lieutenant
General OyaE,,a- From this marriage
and one girl. The boys. as is natural
are 70 follow military career.
Far from being . hard-sSsd. shaScy-
browsd general, as one might smacins
the nero Of 50 many difficult campaigns
Is Gas SsnSsst- most amiahle OLD sentie-
sissn II would be Possible TO meet. He
1traSsG declares that he has no liking
whatever for war. and this ii IS irony 81
nate, not personal Inclination. which
has made him the soldier he is today,
l-asss most OF 1asanS great men, he is
not rich IN this worlds gods He is
Tar sco liberal 10 arnass fortune. /, is
sald OF him during the Chinese VS. ha
bought provisions for his men anss
5orsss cus Of his aWR POCKET rssthsr
than psiEass the wrsfcAsd homes alona.
the route
In tact charity got 10 be saeh
nlaasa with HIM that his wife. an eS-
SE7szsasS ecoNozaaSca3 Nrolsln. had 10 set
as 1geasGssg and Ssols olss 10 him
ss.aS1ll allowance daily.
E isasszEss Ms residences IN Paris ne was
o5sssn grsafsS upset hy the way dumb
SEesEs,sisS Esaytacniarsy sa-Ses. were
as'slssa osaea Re sot into 3 dreadful