The Wichita daily eagle., 1904-05-08
JAPS IN TRAINING
What Conduces to the Super
iority of the Army
DISCIPLINE IN YOUTH
Soldier Looked Upon as Better
Than Average Citizen.

The question of the education of army
officers has been so much before the pub
lie of late years that a glance at the mill
tary educational institutions of Japan and
the system of training officers may be
OF interest.
The officers of any army have posi-
ton to fill the difficulties of which are
not always realized by the general pub
lic which expects much from them and
is prepared TO give little in return The
hard work and patience which ii takes TO
turn out the finished product the trained
soldier from often Indifferent raw ma
terial are, as a rule, overlooked by civil
lians, who are only too ready TO criticise
slight failings on the part of officers and
to condemn the unsuccessful In Japan,
where the whole population is inbued
with a martial spirit. the result of ages
of civil rebellions and an old-fashioned
chivalry which has stamped its mark even
at the present time on the customs and
language of the country. the task OF the
army officer is comparatively easy The
whole national life of the japanese is
mixed up with discipline and respect for
authority. which makes it a simple matter
to train soldiers, and which gives the pro-
fession of arms the most honorable posi-
ton in the country.
EUROPEAN MODELS FOLLOWED.
The military instructional institutions of
Japan have been modelled after careful
consideration of the best institutions of
the kind existing in Europe. The army
is considered a highly technical profes
sion, which necessitates a special training
from earliest youth, combined with
sound general education. As in the case
of the British navy, officers are enlisted
young and their training is commenced
at an age most impressionable to habits
of military discipline. Education is COM
menced in the military district prepara-
tory schools, of which there is one sit
uated at six of the principal towns in
Japan, with accommodation for $50 pupils
each. The students at these schools are
selected from aspirants for the position
of officer of the army, and the age of
entry is between thirteen and fifteen
years. The course lasts three years, and
is intended to impart to the boys a gem
eral education sufficient for military re-
Quirements, to entrain them for the GEN.
tral preparatory school at Toxic. These
schools are under the management of &
military commandant, assisted by an ad-
jutant and a so-called inspector of stu
dents, the latter of whom is mainly re-
sponsibe for the maintenance of disci-
pine With regard to entrance, soQs Of
officers who have died on active service
and of government officials whose death
was caused by illness incurred in Connec>
tion with their duty, and other special
cases, are considered as ''privilegel stu
dents" and are maintained and educated
at government expense; also sons of
junior officers OF the army or navy are
admitted at half rates
At the conclusion of the three years
course, the commandant, under the or
ders of the Inspector general of military
education. holds graduating examination
for admission to the military central
preparatory school. This institution the
course at WHICH lasts twenty-one months,
is intended TO prepare the students now
between the ages Of sixteen and eighteen
years for the position of officers of all
arms of service. Here their general edu-
cation is continued and they receive a
preliminary training in military subjects.
including riding. The students are divid-
ed into companies for discipline and work.
under officers of the regular army. rhe
discipline is exceedingly severe. and work
is practically continuous from morning
till night, with breaks only for meals and
the afternoon hot bath. As in the case
of the military district preparatory
schools. special privileges are allowed to
,f off ha cfr
are divided into three classes, namely.
those who have all their expenses paid
by the government; secondly, those who
are boarded free and are supplied by the
government with part Of their clothing;
and, thirdly, those who are entirely self
supporting. Students may be dismissed
from the school for want of capacity,
frequent breaches of discipline. general
bad behavior, or untitness through i'll
health. At the end of the course another
graduating examination is held. and the
successful candidates are then sent to
serve for six months in the ranks with
regiment, before joining the officers
school.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE GRADUATES.
With regard to the distribution of the
cadets through the various branches of
the service the following points are spe-
cially considered in order of Importance:
Gl The wishes of the cadets themselves
as 10 the branch they prefer. ~ the re
quirements of the service; 90 equal dis
tribution of cadets OF superior scholar
ship; 90 cadets who excel in mathematics
are sent TO the artillery, engineers, and
railway corps.
The final training necessary fer officers
OF the lowest ggade OF ali branches of
the army is given during a welye
months course at the officers school of
Toxic. Candidates admitted to this in
stitution are Of one Of the following three
classes: Gl Graduates Of the above men
toned central military preparatory school
after six months in the ranks; % Young
men who have received certificates of
scholarship al the ordinary government
middle schools. and who have obtained
permission Of commanders Of regiments
70 be enrolled: so candidates who possess
scholarships Of similar standing 70 that
of the government middle schools. ana
who have passed = special exam nation
before the military commission. The can
didates other than graduates of the cen
tral military preparatory school must
serve FOR one year in the ranks with a
regiment before being admitted - the Of
icers' school All wear their regimenSal
uniforms ard are armed with rifles or
carbines. \ number Of horses are main
tsined. and field artillery Officers receive
special instruction in driving drill The
course is severe. About eight and a half