The San Francisco call., 1904-04-17

6xHAT Japan was fully prepared to
fight is made plain by the follow
ing letter from Sasebo, Japan,
which was printed In a copy Of
leading Japanese paper that
has recently reached America. The
date Of the letter-January 15-shows
that Japan was waiting Russia's reply
only for formality's sake. 1t is not
hard to see why the Japanese could be
so quick In action. When her Min
lister was recalled from st. Petersburg
her ships were waiting for a chance at
Port Arthur.
The translation is by Yone Noguchi.
a native of Japan, who has lived In
this country for years.
January Is, Sasebo.-All the sail
ors of Vice Admiral Togo's ship were
disappointed in their hope Of welcom-
ing a Happy New Year day. In
Japan. Some of them bade their fare
well to Japan some months ago. God
be with them-those sailors with their
eyes upon the glory Of their countryi
They really expected to see the ris-
ing sun of the first day in the Yellow
Sea-yes. looking upon the ruin Of the
Russian 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 bade one to bring out the
things he had prepared. The eyes of
all the sailors were fixed. Alas. it was
a sanho of white wood. Sanho? Lit
tie 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 dis
tributed among the sailors. They were
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 anything
warlike on the streets or anywhere else.
We understood the time was approach
ing when We were to break fire in ST.
lence. Should we await Russia's an
swer?
There was no other place so busy an
Sasebo, where. all the workingmen were
kept at work day and night. They were
hurrying to make the ships ready for
fight. The numerous torpedo-boats were
going out and in. Everything seemed
to say that the war clouds were gath
ering.
We welcomed the news that our new
ly bought vessels from Argentina were
named Nisshin and Kasuga- Let me
tell you, as bit Of history, why our
country named them so. Some forty
years ago. when our country was In
the tumult Of revolution, the province
of Saga presented a steamer named
Nisshin to the Emperor, and the pro-
vince of Kagoshima the steamer Ka-
suga. They did their service splendidly.
But they were broken to pieces when
years passed. Now the names remain
only in memory. But old sailors and
officers who took part In olden times
cannot forget them. They are cherish
ing their dear names in their bosoms
1t may sound sentimental to say that
they will prove to be able ships. but all
the sailors firmly believe it.
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
Yanashina would be aboard the Yaku-
no. All the sailors and officers ex-
claimed: I'VE will be sent to hell If we
show even moments hesitation in