The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-31
JIG JITsU ZOE CADETs.
Japan System to Be Established at
Annapolis and West Point.

Washington, March 2L-The war de-
partment has made public the report Of
the joint board of army and navy Off
GERS convened by special orders of Feb
physical training of cadets at the mill
taly academy and of nidshipmen at
the naval academy. The report is en-
dOrSed by President Roosevelt who di-
reefs that a further report on progress
be submitted him SO days hence. Sec
rotary Taft approves the recommended
tons and Acting Secretary Darling ap-
proves the recommendation except as
to the suggestion that the sword of the
army be made a part of the equipment
of every ship in the navy for the use of
officers and landing parties.
The report is very long It's most i'm
pOrtant feature is the recommendation
that the Japanese art IT. jiu jitsu be in
cOrporated in the course with boxing
and wrestling. The board reports that
it is not of great value as a means Of
physical development but the know
ledge of the system would inspire the
individual with a degree of self conf
dencc- The board recommended that
physical training be extended over the
four years course at each academy in
stead of one year as at present In
discussing the use Of swords and after
recommending their use on ships to
which objection is made by Acting Sec
rotary Darling, the report says:
AS regards the army it may be said
that as far as the evidence at the dis
of the army is largely against the use
of any sword at all by officers in the
field, the idea being to replace the
sword by the revolver. This was the
practice in the Philippines, by almost
universal consent and without any or
ders in connection Herewith emanating
from superior authority.
This widespread opinion against the
sword and in favor of the revolver only
is founded upon service under abnormal
conditions in a country largely under
brush, and against a foe who rarely
stood against a determined advance;
and with a sword which itself was an
inferior weapon.
"A careful examination Of the events
in the Russo-Japanese war under mod
ern conditions as regards firearms and
regards artillery fire, has shown con-
clusively that the sword is not a
weapon of the past
The increased killing power of the
maya zine rifle and rapid fire field guns
has operated to force both the japanese
and Russian armies in order to mini
mize their losses to make many night
attacks. These night attacks are not
surprises by small bodies of troops, but
movements of divisions and armies in
battle formation. The report of this
development has been to force the fire.
quent employment OF the bayOnet by
the enlisted man, and of the sword by
the officer and to increase their i'm
portance as fighting Weap ons. The loss
es due to cold steel in this war proba-
bly, will never be accurately known, but
enough has already been reported off,
cially on both sides to show that the
sword has been effectively used, partic-
ularly in these attacks. These being
facts, it follows as a corallary that the
sword adopted for officers Of the army
should be fighting weapons, and not
merely a badge of Office"
Other points of interest contained in
the report are these:
The training of the students as future
instructors in the physical training.
THE board believes that the best
physical development can be obtained
only by study OF the physical condi-
ton of each cadet or midshipman and
the use by him Of exercises such as will
tend to remedy his physical defects.
This involves the careful and periodical