The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-09

By Frederick Palmer in Golfers Weekly.
 Copyright 1 so4. by Golfers Weekly.
 The first of the letters from Mir. Palmer printed in this issue, and dated February 6, was written just before the outbreak of war. It tells of the silent, quick prepara- tons making two days before Admiral Togo torpedoed the Russian ships at Port Arthur. The second letter written after war was assured, describes an interview with Field Marshal Yamagata; while the other letter Cthird in order here. but the first written) throws an interesting light on the conditions preceding the final breaking of diplomatic relations.
 Tokio Japan, February 6.-Rumors in- stead of hours have marked the passage of the days of waiting. You frightened the handspring for a new lot when you wound your watch at night This afternoon came a rumor unlike the others. definite in shape, electric In transmission from lip to lip. having the magnetic force of truth: "Komura has sent for De Rosen. It has come" Though the words came from your servant. you believed them as readily as you believe an earthquake shock that you feel. Tonight the whole nation knows that negotiations are at an end and bloodshed is about to begin. The years of expectancy have eliminated in the decisive step. The patient government has at last given the word. Where are the crowds? Why is there no cheering? :? doubtless more people are watching the bulletins in London and New York than boa II on such a night" says the foreigner In Japan there is little to sec little to hear. There is everything to feel. Two theories which you at home may have from this description you woulG never have here. There is no apathy; there is no doubt or fear. Instead of going abroad to gather in public places and shout. the Japanese go to houses of their friends and sit over their hibachis Charcoal burners) and talk little-very little. They know that there is to be war and that is enough. It is the war that they have prayed for-almost holy war.
 day shower of pink tickets has fallen Each one called a man out of kimono into tunic out of getas into military shoes. It said. according to Japanese log ic: The Mikado has given you life; now he calls upon you to give it back" There is no weeping at the farewell. I saw a re- servist parting with his family at the railroad station tonight He came in with his little boy, olive-skinned. round-faced smiling-a live Japanese doll of three years-thrown over h1s shoulders The women folk formed the inner circle. the men the outer circle In the center of such group. the soldier in his occidental uniform seemed to belong to world apart. There was no weeping; for years they had expected him to go, and now he was going. He smiled, and they smiled at the parting-a variation of that Japan csc smile that says: We are sad and try to show that we are not by being merry"
 Signs of Preparation.
 Yesterday There were no sings of prep aration; today there have been signs ev- anywhere for those who would see them On the parade ground and in other public places officers with little note-b books, hun dreds of cooles, and loads of timber sud- denly appeared. They settled down to their tasks as if it were the routine of every day. There was little shouting. no seeming hurry no oaths snatching order out of confusion. The order was in the officers notebooks, in lines of ideographs running up and down the pages. With the rapidHy of circus tents rose long lines of sheds for the cavalry which is to be mobilzed here There was not even the hammering which is the bass of the hack neyed "din of preparation The girders and the supports were bound together by the delft wrapping of straw ropes Every board and every stick seemed to have Its place. and the officers to know just where