The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-03-27
ARMY OF The MIKADO
Not All Tactics U ed Are
European.
MANY VERY ANCIENT ONES
Some of the Laws Governing
Movement of Troops

It is true that the japanese arm.
which is preparing for a supreme trial O
strength with the Russian forces il
northern Corea or southern Manchuris
is largely inspired by the military science
Of modern Germany, yet it is a mistake
to suppose that the Japanese generals ig
more the battle tactics Of their own an
cent heroes. There are recognized rules
of warfare which have been in use in
Japan for more than eleven centuries
ideas taken originally from Chinese gen.
erals who wrote in the third century after
Christ.
4 The astonishing tactical and strategetic
intelligence displayed by the japanese
I generals who are pitted against the vet
4 eran commanders, of Russia is supposed
TO be wholly due to the influence of Eu-
ropean schools. But a glance at the tao
teal rules observed by japanese warriors
| in Japan ever since the eighth century
reveals principles, offensive and defens-
! i've, which, with some notifications, are
| applied successfully today. Here are
! some of the ideas set forth in the accept-
ed code of the fighting samurai. copied
from the Chinese in the eighth century.
IAN army undertaking on offensive
campaign must be twice as numerous IS
the enemy
The invention of smokeleis powder and
long range small calibre arms of course
alters that proposition.
"A force investing a fortress should be
numerically ten times the garrison.
Troops for escalade Can attack ilvolv-
ing the scaling OF wallis should must .r
five for every one Of their foes.
when the adversary holds high ground
turn his flank; do not deliver frontal at
tack
when he has a mountain or a river
behind him, cut his lines of communica-
ton.
If he deliberately assumes a position
from which victory is his only escape
hold him there but do not modest him.
IF you can surround him, leave one
route open for his escape"
This rule was applied by the Japanese
ten years ago when they allowed the Chi
nese garrisons to escape at Pingyang.
Tallienwan and Port Arthur. instead of
forcing them to make a last desperate
stand. !
BE warned of an ambush when you
see birds soaring in alarm, and if animals
break cover in your direction look out
for an outset.
When you have to cross a river post
your advance guard and rear guard at
a distance from the banks, and never
approach with the bulk of your troops.
when the enemy has to cross river
let him get well engaged in the operation
before you strike at him.
eff a marsh has to be traversed make |
CELEBRITY your first object.
Pass no copse, enter no ravine nor ap- |
proach any thicket until your scouts have |
explored it fully"
The war correspondents who are writ |
ing about the conflict in Asia from the |
viewpoint of the hotels in Toxic have |
much to say about the bearing and spirit I
of the mikado's soldiers. But when the .
are permitted to see the |
Japanese forces in the field they will dis
cover an army that marches practically
without flags, music or ornamental pomp
"a silent, patient patriotic soldery which
can fight or starve or work without rest
and still maintain it's cheerfulness. These
lileii Iteh no DdiitltLS OF SdUuS lIdppluSS.
no drum beats or bugle calls to stir them.
The explanation of this singular quality
Of the Japanese soldiers is that they in
herit the austere traditions of the samurai.
Until Japan accepted western civilization
under the compulsion of the American
Perry's guns her men were
divided into two classes-the fighters, or
and the bread winners. The
samurai had a swaggering contempt for
The workingmen which is not wholly alb
sent in the japanese army today. Indeed
every Japanese military force carries
with it in the field a large body of coolies
Or laborers, who relieve the soldiers from
manual toll performed by the troops Of
1ther nations. The ordinary proportion
today is about one coole TO every two
soldiers
The ancestors Of the men who are fight
ng Russia were for centuries subjected
o discipline which shows it's effects
low. Take the rules formulated by Kato
( yomasa. one of the two japanese gen
rails who conquered Corea three hundred
Tears ago. They applied strictly TO the
amurai of every rank:
Il The routine OF service must be ,
strictly observed. From a. m. military
Exercises shall be practiced Archery and
must not be neglected. II any
nan shows greater proficiency than his
comrades he shall receive extra pay.
y Those that desire recreation may
ngage in hawking, deer hunting or ,
vrestling. s
- With regard TO dress. garments of ,
Otton or pongee shall be worn. Any one !
mourning debts owing TO extravaganza {
f costume or living shall be considered :
lawbreaker
Il The staple-uf diet shall be unhuIled :
ice. At social entertainments one guest 2
or one host Is the proper limit. Only ,
rhen men are assembled for military ex-
rcises should many dine together.
5 1t is the duty of every samurai 10
lake himself acquainted with the prin-
piles OF his craft. Extravssant displays
( aeornment are forbidden in battle
IS Dancing OF organizing dances is IN
awful; it is likely 70 betray sword-carry-
lg men to acts Of violence. Whatever q
ian does should he done with his heart
therefore, FOR a soldier military amuse-
lents alone are suitable. The penalty for |
iola;ing this provision is death By sui
ide
- Learning should be. encouraged
Hillary books must he read. The Spfri, l
{ loyalty and fl-aI piety must be educst-
] before all things Poem composing 9
sstimes are not 10 &c engaged in by sa-
,urai; to be addicted 20 such auuse- :
tents is 10 resemble woman a man :
orn a sanurai should live and die sword :
j hand Unless he be trained thus IN \
ne Of peace he viii be useless in the
our Of stress