The Savannah morning news., 1904-04-24

Toxic March 3o.-It is a favOrite
saying OF the japanese populace that
Gen. Itei Kuroki, commanding the land
forces in the war with Russia. has the
true character Of the ancient generals:
When once ne smiles even the chill
dren will come close to him. But when
he becomes angry he is as fierce as a
lion"
Kuroki's military record backs up
the latter part Of this old saying.
He is a member OF the famous
fighting Satsuma clan. During the war
that preceded the Restoration he sided
with the Emperor and. with all the
traditional fury Of his samurai ances-
tors. he attacked those OF his clans
men who were opposing the Mikado.
In the same army with him was Togo,
now vice admiral Of the japanese feet
before Port Arthur. and then, like Ku-
roki. a young man.
Every rickshaw man has his own
story Of how Kuroki slew many OF
his rebellious clansmen in single COM
bat, and men who served with him
In those troublous days say that there
IS much foundation in fact for these
tales.
The Restoration accomplished. Ku-
roki continued in the Emperors serv-
ice and ever since then his life has
been devoted entirely to military mat
ters. His ability had been recognized
even before the Civil War broke out.
ten years after the Restoration, and
his advice was largely followed in re-
pressing the rebels. who were Kuro-
ki's own clansmen.
Won Victories over China.
From that day Kuroh rapidly arose
IN favor, and when the China-Japan
War broke out he was given an i'm
portant command and won victory af-
ter victory.
His treatment Of the soldiers has
been materially responsible for his
success in handling great bodies of
men. He personally looks after the
smallest details relating to their well
fare, in an incredibly short time he
learns TO call thousands by their
coolie-has complaint to make ku-
roki stands ready to hear it. Then,
too. when in the field he does not sur
round himself with comforts, the men
know that he lives as they do-seeps
in blanket, eats the same food-and
they are the more loyal for it. Ask
a Jap soldier who is his hero, and he
y
Gen. Kuroki."
II is said that when he started for
the seat of war in 1S94-95, one of mis- |
STAFF officers implored him to take |
along a folding rubber bathtub and |
other accessories of the modern gem |
rails field equipment Kuroki's re- |
ply was, Am / a woman?" He didn't |
take the bathtub.
Not N LOOter.
The army Office officials are also
fond Of telling this anecdote in illus
tration of KurokTs devotion to war
for wars sake and not for the booty
or glory there is IN ii.
Many Of the generals returned from
the China-Japan War with rare loot,
and it took many coolies 10 carry their
possessions. Kuroki, on the other
hand, was not accompanied by A
string of baggage bearers. A friend |
expressed ms surprise at the rneagre-
ness Of the Generals trappings. Ku-
roh drew several sheets of writing
paper from a pocket.
We received this as a present from i
the Department of Jippei (Aid for the
Soldiers)." he said. Il have nothing
TO bring home except this"
kuroks intimate friends have never 1
heard him talk about his experiences
on the battlefield. According to his /
wife. who lives In this city, he has /
kept a detailed diary of his army life, /
but neither she nor her children have 4
ever heard him make reference to his /
victories or the honors that have be- /
fallen him.
He is very gentle in the home" |
said Mrs. Kuroki recently. He hates |
luxury and dress and fuss. Some |
times he buys antiques when the deal /
ers press him, but he throws them in |
a corner and has no desire to decorate |
the house with them. He is easy go
ing with the children and does not in |
terfere with their plans. But when |
the boys start TO eat candy and be-
tween meals he rebukes them. telling
them that boys should not do such
things. He himself does not eat be-
tween meals"
In this last particular Kuroh Is an