Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-03-12
HOW TOGO PREPARED.
Japanese Admirars Plans to
Fight the Russians.
ALL WARLIKE TALK FORBIDDEN.

A Japanese Correspondents Who WIS.,
tied the Admiral at SasehO n Few
Days Before He Appeared at Port
Arthur Tells How the Fleet Was
Made Ready and the Sailors Patri-
Otism Aroused.
That Japan was fully prepared to
fight is made plain by the following
letter, written by Toyohiko Turushlma
from Saseho, Japan, which was print
ed in a copy of a leading japanese
paper that recently reached Amer
lea. The date of the letter, Jan 10,
shows that Japan was waiting Rus
sia's reply only for formality's sake. 1t
is not hard to see why the Japanese
could be so quick in action. When her
minister was recalled from st. Peters
burg her ships were waiting for a
chance at Port Arthur, says the Pitts
burg Dispatch.
The translation of the letter. which
is herewith given, is by Yone Noguchi,
a native of Japan who has lived in the
United States for years.
All the sailors Of Vice Admiral To
RO SUP we're 0lSUDpOlnlCu III lAOAL
hope of welcoming a Happy New
Years Day. in Japan. Some Of them
babe their farewell to Japan some
months ago.
They really expected to see the rising
sun of the first day in the Yellow sea-
yes, looking upon the ruin of the Rus
sian fleet wrought by themselves.
Their faces beamed when they were
summoned by Admiral Togo to the
deck to hear his words. His words?
Were they not the very notice of de-
parture-of the break of war? They
gathered on the deck solemnly. The
admiral babe one TO bring out the
things he had prepared. The eyes of
all the sailors We're fixed. Alas, it was
Il sanho of white wood. Sanho? Little
table on which was placed a small
sword for committing harakiri, an
honorable suicide of ancient days. The
sailors understood perfectly what he
meant by it. They understood that the
time was near for going to commit an
honorable suicide. They were glad. On
the sanho were some little sheets of
paper which the vice admiral distrib-
uted among the sailors. They We're
his advice upon how to leave their af-
fectionate words with their mothers
and sisters. The crisis was near at
hand. They smiled.
There was a report that the New
Years party would be held on board
the flagship Mikasa. Seventy officers
were taking part. The admiral for
bade, however, to act or speak any
thing warlike on the streets or any
81
was approaching when we were to
break fire in silence. Should we await
Russia's answer?
There was no other place so busy as
Saseho, where all the workingmen
were kept at work day and night.
They We're hurrying to make the ships
ready for fight. Everything seemed
to say that the war clouds were gath
ering.
And on the 10th there came mighty
news. Our three princes were to be
appointed officers by the august COM
mand of his majesty. Princes appoint
ment? Certainly it was great news.
Prince Kacho was TO be appointed a
division master of the Mikasa. Prince
Yosihito was coming to the ships of
the Admiral Togo. And the Prince
Yamashina would be aboard the va
kuma. All the sailors and officers ex-
claimed: I'VE will be sent TO hell if we
show even a moments hesitation in
dying! Think OF the princes" They
cried from joy.
Everything is ready. Yet they are
not departing. They begin to condemn
the governments slowness in action.
nsl
bers towards. What use to wait for
Russia's reply?" they exclaim. rs not
Russia playing a blur? The hairy
Russians shall see what the Nippon
spirit is" They are only looking at the
face of Admiral Togo for his final COM
mand.
1t was on the afternoon of the 18th
that 1 got an interview with the Ad-
miraI Togo. he was IN his cabin busily
engaged in writing. The papers and
some other stuff almost covered his
table. His face appeared especially
gloomy. Undoubtedly his brain was oc-
cupied by something important. OF
course everything would be serious in
those days He stopped his pen and
looked upon me, and he said that he
hoped the war could be averted. But I
thought knew he was treating me like
anybody else. His sparkling eyes said,
I'VE shall fight" He gracefully apollo
Gized for the governments severe cen
sorship.
Japan is acting before the whole
world, not only for Russia. We must
try to keep our secrets and tactics be-
hind the curtain as much as possible.
Usually our japanese make too much
noise about nothing. We must show
to the world our reserve of strength
and patience. 1 have found the pub
lie satisfactory so far, but 1 hope IL
Will continue 10 act quietly even when
we shall have ruined all the Russian
ships. Our sailors business is only TO