The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1904-06-25
ARMY OF THE MIKADO.
RULES OF WAR USED BY JAPAN
FOR ELEVEN CENTURIES.

Hereditary Fighters Who Combine the
Latest Methods of Scientific Warfare
With Rules Of Tactics Over Thou.
sand Years OId-Give Your Enemy
Chance to Run Away.
1t is true that the Japanese army
is largely inspired by the military
science Of modern Germany, yet it is
mistake to suppose that the japanese
generals ignore the battle tactics OF
their own ancient heroes, writes James
Creelman, in the New York World.
There are recognized rules Of warfare
which have been in use in Japan for
more than eleven centuries-ideas
taken originally from Chinese generals
who wrote in the third century after
Christ
The astonishing tactical and strate-
gic intelligence displayed by the Jap
anese generals who are pitted against
the veteran commanders of Russia is
supposed to be wholly due to the
influence Of European schools. But
glance at the tactical rules observed
by Japanese warriors in Japan ever
since the eighth century reveals prin-
ciples offensive and defensive, which.
with some notifications. are applied
successfully today Here are some Of
the ideas set forth in the accepted
code OF the fighting samur> copied
from the Chinese in the eighth CEN
fury.
IAN army undertaking an offensive
campaign must be twice as numerous
as the enemy"
The invention Of smckeles3 powder
and long-range, smal-calibre arms of
course alters that proposition.
"A force investing a fortress should
be numerically ter times the garrison.
Troops for escalade ian attack in
volving the scaling of wallis should
muster five for every one Of their
foes.
When the adversary holds high
ground. turn his flank; do not deliver
frontal attack.
When he has mountain or river
behind him cut his lines CT commune
cation.
IF he deliberately assumes posi-
ton from which victory is his only es-
cape, hold him there but do not mo-
lest him.
IF you can surround him. leave one
route open for his escape
This rule was applied by the Japan
csc ten years ago when they allowed
the Chinese garrisons to escape at
Pingyang. Talienwan and Port Arthur,
instead of forcing them to make
last desperate stand.
BE warned of az ambush when you
see birds soaring in alarm, and if
animals break cover in your direction
look out for an onset.
When you have to cross river
post your advance guard and rear
guard at distance from the banks.
and never approach with the bulk Of
your troops.
When the enemy has to cross a
river. let him set well engaged in the
operation before you strike at him.
IF marsh hcs to be trayerscd
make celebrity your first object.
"Pass no copse. enter no ravine nor
approach any thieket until your scouts
have explored it fully
The war correspondents who are
writing about the conflict in Asia from
the viewpoint of the hotels in Toxic
have much to say about the bearing
and spirit Of the Mikado's soldiers.
But when the correspondents are per-
mittcd to see the Japanese forces in
the field they will discover an army
that marches practically without flags,
music or ornamental pomp-a silent.
patient. patriotic soldiery which can
fight or starve or work without rest
and still maintain its cheerfulness.
These men need no banners. or gaudy
trappings, no drum-beats or bugle calls
to stir them.
The explanation of this singular
quality of the Japanese soldiers is that
they inherit the austere traditions of
the samurai. Until Japan accepted
Western civilization under the COM
pulsion of the American Commodore
Perry's guns her men were divided in
to two classes-the fighters. or samurai
and the bread-winners. The samurai
had a staggering contempt for the
which is not wholly abb
sent in the Japanese army today. In
deed, 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 other nations. The |
ordinary proportion today is about one
coolie TO every two soldiers.
The ancestors Of the men who are
fighting Russia were for centuries SUBJ
jected to a discipline which shows its |
effects now Take the rules formulat- |
ed by Kato Kyomasa, one of the two
Japanese generals who conquered |
Corea three hundred years ago. They |
applied strictly to the samurai Of every
rank:
81. The routine of service must be |
strictly observed. From 6 a. M mill
tary exercises shall be practised. Arch
cry and gunnery must not be neglect.