The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-10-17
JAPANESE CAPTAINS
SEEK INFORMATION
Naval Officers From Mikado's
Land to Visit American
Navy Yards

Two men connected with the japanese
naval establishment, with the rank of
captain, spent Sunday in st. Paul. and
after a few days at the4St. Louis expo
sition will proceed to investigate the
methods in vogue in the United States
ship building yards.
Beyond admitting that they will visit
the American naval stations, they deny
that their visit to the United States has
any significance but to fellow country
man in ST. Paul Capt H. So told the
secret of their first visit to the States.
1t is to make inquiries as to the purchase
for the Japanese government of two
additional torpedo boats to be added to
the Japanese navy.
III. So, who is naval constructor with
headquarters at Tokyo, and K. Kuma-
kura a professor in the naval school at
Yokosuka, but both holding the rank of
captain in the Japanese naval establish
ment, reached st. Paul Saturday might
and spent Sunday at the Merchants hotel.
They left last night for st. Louis, and
after remaining for four or five days at
the fair they will spend a month in visit
ing the navy yards at Brooklyn, Norfolk.
the big establishment of the Cramps near
Philadelphia, the Mare Island yard at
San Francisco, and the naval station at
Bremerton, Wash.
Says Japanese Are Justly Proud
Capt. So speaks English readily, though
his companion, Capt. Kumakura, has diff
fculty in mastering the foreign tongue.
They left Yokohama Sept 80 on the
Empress of India and came TO st. Paul
direct from Vancouver. Capt. So pro-
fesses to be in ignorance of the move
ments of the Japanese navy or army since
leaving Japan, but said that the Japanese
p
ments of their navy thus far IN the war
with Russia.
I'VE have lost but four ships, including
the small gunboats, since the war began,
said Capt. So, land the Russians are
showing the result of the prowess of
Japanese naval arms by avoiding con-
at Port Arthur remains safely inside the
harbor, for to venture out would mean
certain defeat. The people of Japan are
thoroughly patriotic and the, sea fights
some months ago wrought them up to
the highest pitch of national enthusiasm.
Now. the army is more in the public eye,
and it is dividing popular admiration with
the navy.
Japan is a country of wonderful re-
sources and ships are building at the five
naval stations in Japan Japan-built ships
have proven entirely SATISFACTORY ana the
Japanese have shown themselves hardy
seamen and skillful fighters on the sea-
Capt. So was asked if it were true
that his government was. buying torpedo
printed reports of five torpedo boats being
bought in this country were founded on
facts.
Reticent Regarding Torpedo Boats
He declined to discuss the subject, say
ing that he had no official knowledge of
purchase of torpedo boats for his govern
ssWiii you visit the American naval
stations and gain, an insight into Amerf-
can methods Of building warships?' was
asked. -
we will see what America is doing in the
way of construction of war vessels, he
replied, but he refused to say more.
He also declined to discuss the propo
sition that he and his companion were
authorized to negotiate for additional tor
pedo boats, but to one Of the Japanese
bellboys at the Merchants he admitted
that his visit to this country was for the
purpose of learning what American build
ers had ito offer in the way Of modern
sea fighting machines.
1t is etheii first visit COTS either of the
Japanese. captains to America and they
are much surprised at the, magnitude of
the United States and of the resources Of
the country stFEfs} fisasst0S