The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-06-20
ADMIRAL TOG
Something of His Personality and
His Home Life.

tAI the plCSSIt oloSN W ei-
the far east Admiral Helhachlro
Topo. commander OF the combined
Japanese fleets, is again man OF the
moment. Last January he paid
brief visit to his home and family at
Toxic. He tried to steal into japan
unobserved and to prevent anything
like national welcoming. Some OF
his officers demonstrated with him
and made an effort to persuade him
to let people see him. 1t would do
them good, they argued, and stimulate
the national heart
He would not consent. The nation
al heart, he maintained, was already
bursting with over-stimulatlon, and
there was other pressing business on
hand. 1t would be time enough tor
such a manifestation when the war
was over.
Plain and Transformations Man.
So he declined the offer Of great
reception which the municipality OF
Toxic wished to give him and entered
Tapa!l as unostentatiously as If he
were a common seaman. He planned
it 50 he reached the capital at night
and walked unattended from the rail-
way station to his house. Having re-
ceived no notification of the admlrals
intention to come home, the entire
household had retired, and he was
obliged to go to hotel, since it is
not considered good form in Japan
to disturb any one who has retired
for the night. He was not recognized
at the hotel, and he rose early IN the
morning and went tohis own domlcile.
Togo. although but 4S years of age,
is easily the prince among Japan's ma
tional heroes. In the empire he is
spoken of affectionately as "Oni hei-
hachi." This means in English the
sogre admiral" but not in bad sense:
It is rather a term of endearment.
Throughout the length and breadth OF
the island empire the mention of the
*ogre admiral" will evoke the widest
enthusiasm.
The Adrnirals Household.
The admiral's household is one OF
the simplest in Toxic. In its admir-
able unpretentiousness may be wit
messed the typical home OF samurai
gladdened by the presence Of a con-
genial wife and four interesting child
rem, three sons and daughter. In
this household there is no evidence
OF luxury of any description, the Togo
family occupying an ordinary middle
class dwelling. II is not even in an
aristocratic part of the cit~, its
neigh6oring houses on either side
being the hom-s O.! the tradeSmen
and minor government officials.
The domestic arrangement is con-
Quoted on a most economical basis,
no carriage, bicycle Or rickshaw being
kept on the premises. Only one
servant is employed. with poor male
relative as caretake- during the admi-
rails absence. The only evidence Of
distinction to be discovered about the
place : a small electric lamp put out
side he street entrance in order that
passe7sby may read the name Togo
inscribed upon the door. This has
been put up since the admiral left
home and was made necessary by the
professions and groups OF enthusiasts
who we're constantly arriving and
shouting 'Banzai!" which is the lap
arvse equivalent for Long life!''
Anecdotes of Family Life.
anecdotes in which the Togo fami-
ly figures are plentiful in Japan. One
OF the most characteristic is to the
effect that when the great man re-
turned 10 his home some time before
the breaking out Of the present war
FOR short visit he contracted such
severe cold that he was obliged to
remain in bed during his entire stay.
Having received orders to rejoin his
command at once. he rose from his
=. = IL l.,