The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-08
MEASURES STRENGTH
OF CAR And MIKADO
American Who Has Spent Past
Twelve Years i'm Japan Dis.
cusses impending War.

while Japan is believed to be fight
ing the battle of the United States and
England with Russia, as regards the
open door policy in Manchuria, she
is, in reality fighting for her own ex-
istence and the opportunity to educate
the Chinese in the arts of war as
practiced by the nations Of the West,
with the view of having the Chinese
as allies In the future"
So stated p. J. Bowling, a represen-
tative Of the Great Northern Steam
ship company, who has spent the past
twelve years in Japan and China. Mr.
Bowling arrived in the United States
from Japan less than a month ago,
and is as well posted regarding the
preparations of the japanese for war
as any man outside of the high officials,
having made a careful study of the
situation while In Japan
Two months ago Mr. bowling visited
number of the principal ports of
Japan, where he witnessed stupendous
preparations for war The PRINCIPAL
ports visited were Yokohama, Kobe
and Mali. At all of these ports the
japanese had thousands of men en-
ployed in making the harbors strong
points of defense
If Japan is successful in this war;"
said Mr.. Bowling last night. land there is
no reason for me to believe it will not
be, the next twenty years will see
the Japanese government devoted to the
reorganization of the Chinese army and
before twenty-five years these two ''vellow
nations will be fighting together. l firm
~ believe that Japan will officer the Chi
nese army with Japanese men, and the
chinese soldiers will be trained to fight as
are the Japanese.
when this is accomplished there is no
telling what the result will be- China.
with her enormous population, augmented
by the Japanese spirit and mode Of fight
ing, VIII furnish the nucleus of an army
that will be prepared to protect any future
attempt to grab Chinese territory.
Has Been Preparing for Ten Years.
Japan has been preparing for war with
Russia for ten years and will be found in
eAceHent shape to commence hostilities
any time war is declared
Il found the japanese enthusiastic over
the prospects of war. The people of all
ages and classes seem interested to a most
remarkable degree. Befor 1 left Japan I
saw children parading the streets wearing
soldiers caps and uniforms and waving
hags. Nearly all of the Japanese seemed
eager for the fray and they expressed the
utmost confidence that they would come
out victorious in case there was a clash
with Russia.
When 1 left the Orient there was
general impression in Japan that actual
hostilities would not break out before
spring, owing to the extreme cold weather
In Korea and Manchuria, which would
handicap both armies. But the Japanese
We're ready for war at any time should if
be brought on during the winter.
Just outside the harbor of Yokohama
there are three series of stone fortifica-
tions, built in a semi-circular form, and
located about an equal distance from each
other. In reaching the harpor it is neces-
Sary for ships to pass between these forth
fcations. and it would be impossible for
hostile vessel to run the gauntlet without
being blown up by the Japanese. These
modern stone Notifications are equipped
with the most approved armament, and