The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-10
WHY JAPAN MAY WIN
IN RUSSIAN FIGHT
Observers Near at Hand See
Many Reasons for Her
Success.
\ WONDERFUL PEOPLE
Japanese Make Good Sailors and
Their Navy is First
Class.

Correspondence Of the Indianapolis Journal.
HONG-KONG, Dec. 1O-Probably to
those who are calculating chances at a dis
lance on the outcome Of a possible war be-
tween Russian and Japan there seems no
hope for the little Jap. Here where the at
mosphere. has been impregnated with belli-
cose talk so long the opinion seems to rule
that Japan will come out a winner. With
the English, of course the wish may be
father to the thought but there are
many others than English here, and many
who do not share their opinion.
What one may be sure of is that
naval power, and the navy is going to cut a
big figure in this fight when it comes off.
Japan has the best of reasons for feeling
confident A visit to any of the Japanese
ships will lead an Observant person to this
conclusion, and at the same time will prove
a revelation. The idea at first is that one
is aboard an English or an American man
of-war. That idea, however, is speedily
dispelled by the ultra neatness displayed
everywhere.
The complex character of the japanese is
shown in nothing so strongly as on these
ships. Every Jap is a born craftsman. He
can do anything with his hands from firing
a twelve-inch gun to making u paper nose
gay. He turns from one to the other with
a nOnchalance that is the envy of all who
see him. He exhibits this same nonchal-
ance or GOODNESS in battle. He Is a perfect
automatOn, gifted with high order of in
telligence The idea of the Jap is to do
Whatever he does well. and he loves to
combine the ornamental with the useful. 1t
is astonishing what outlets he finds for his
fancy in the adornment of his ships. The
ofncers quarters are marvel in them
selves. The ceilings are elaborate; the gun
ports are, perhaps, too ornate, and are ar
ranged like Oriol windows, the fittings being
rich and beautiful. All this elaborate or
namental detail is a part of the Japanese
idea of combining beauty with strength.
You may be sure that every gun and every
bit or armoTplate are just as sound as the
fittings of the officers mess are handsome.
MASTER OF NAVAL CRAFT
The same idea is carried out in the per-
sonnet of the warships. The japanese Off
Ger has nothing of the gruff old seadog
about him. He is much master of nav
al tactics as any of his European rivals.
There is nothing new pertaining to his pro-
fessiOn that he has not heard of, exam
ined and passed his opinion upon. All that
knowledge is at his finger tips when he
needs TO use it. But in the meantime he is
simply urbane, courteous gentleman,
with delightful affability and graceful man
neTs, who makes you forget while he is
playing the role of host that he has any du-
ties TO perform as an officer. PolitenesS
with him, were 1t not so evidently natural,
would seem cynical. One can almost imag-
inc him saying Beg pardon" when order
ing o broadside delivered at the enemy. The
relations existing among themselves and
their relations with the men are of a pc
culiarly happy character. The jackie will
speak to mis- officer in free and easy way
that would never be assumed by an Amer
lean seaman, and yet discipline and ODE
dience to orders are as good here as in any
navy in the world. There is a mystery in
to the uninitiateG. The explanation lies
entirely in the one word ''Samurai." Both
jackie and his officer belong to this
SamuTai or fighting class, which regards
itself superior to all other classes, as the
Spanish grandee to the Spanish beggar.
Therein lies their community Of pride and
community of interest. Back of this both
jackie and officer know their places.
The jackie is as gentle as he is brave.
When off duty he is always busy. Not a
moment is dawdled away. Whatever may
ceeds to 1t, with vigor and untiring devo-
ton that would drive an American simply
crazy. He may be making artificial flowers
or carving odd figures out of almost any
kind Of material. He may be engrOssed in
the making of artificial trees or fruit.
Whatever kind Of work it may be he is
constantly striving to perfect himself at il,
because he makes 1t his hobby. II war
breaks out L shall expect to see the wound
ed soldiers and sailors pulling out their IA
VOrite bit OF work amid the carnage of shot
and shell, after being moved down on the
battlefield, and quickly filling in time be-
fore the arrival of the ambulance by finish
ing few more leaves.
WELL CARED FOR.
No sailor in the world is better treated or
more comfortably quartered than the Jap
| anese. He is as clean as his neat little
quarters. and as lively as a cricket when
ever he is not asleep. To see a small Jap
anese gunner at one of the pieces of heavy
artillery during target practice he appears
almost ludicrous. He looks like a marion
cite, but he shoots like an American. 1t is
just there that he will probably get the
best of the Russian. If he does not sink
half of Admiral Alexieffs ships in the first
encounter his friends estimates will not be
realized. One knows how much in naval
warfare Quickness. accuracy and dizziness
count. The Japanese imbibe these traits
with their mothers milk.
There is no doubt wha tever that sea DOW
er will count for great deal in the coming
struggle. On paper there is little differ
ence between the fleets of Russia and Japan
in these waters, but the Japanese have
more really f1rst-clasS ships than have the
Russians. Then in aptitude for sea service,
organization. discipline and training the
superiority Is altogether with the Japanese.
Again, the japanese of the coast are nat
ural sailors, and know the Corea straits
and Yellow sea better than the Russians,
who are poor sailors and indifferent fight
ers at sea Presenting, therefore. that Rus
STA cannot get the best of Japan on the
water, how shall she accomplish IL on land
II is altogether doubtful If the landing of
troops on the eastern coast of Korea by
Japan could be prevented by Russia. The
transports already wait declaration OF
war 10 commence the invasion, and the
straits are only a little over a hundred
miles wide. With $1,000 men in Korea and
Seoul in her hands Japan could give Rus
STA at least as long and costly a fight as
| the Beers gave Britain. The interior of
Korea is inaccessible, besides being an enig-
| ma TO Russia, although the Japs know
| every inch of II. For Russia to feed and
| maintain an army In such a country would
| be an enormous task, and clearly one be-
yond the possibilities OF the Russian purse
| Altogether the advantages closely consid-
| cred lie with Japan IL she strikes now, for
| she ought not only TO be able TO take, but
% hold Korea with a comparatiVelY small