The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-09-05
BLOOD OF JAPS BOILS

BLOOD OF JAPs BoILs
Dynasty in Peril and Army's Revolt a
Possibility.
New York, Sept 5-A sudden, clear
light was thrown today on the present
extraordinary situation in Japan, by
New York war correspondent, who per-
sonally knows the views of the fore
sailed from Japan just before the peace
ENJOYS met in Portsmouth. This cor
respondent has special and minute
knowledge of conditions in the Japan
ese army at the present time.
"The Mptsuhito dynasty is in PERIL
he said.
"When T left Japan the army and
the populace were passionately clamor-
ing for great money indemnity as the
first element in the terms of peace.
cit is impossible to express in words
the intensity Of feeling behind this de-
mand. It was historical. In tho
army peace without a huge money in
demnity was unthinkable. go -..~
'Ff am speaking moderately when l
say that popular revolution backed by
the army is the most likely thing in
the situation. -r.' ..-
Japanese Army Supreme. -E
"The Japanese army is supreme in
the empire. The military power has
reduced the civil power to comparative
impotency The emperor has become
mere go-between with an arrogant mill
tary aristocracy and a fearful and de-
moralized civilian class on the other
side .. a..
Everything and everybody in Japan
is subordinate to the army. Even the
prime minister admitted to me that the
army is absolutely supreme. Not only
is the army power in itself, but, the
people are frantically devoted to it.
Revolt Is Predicted. --
"Just before I left Japan 1t was
common talk there that if the emperor
and his civil advisers should yield to
by diplomatic surrender to Russia
| there would be popular uprising, sup,
| ported by a revolt in the army, and
that the emperor would be deposed:
"a member of the emperor's cabinet
told me not so many days ago that if
the Japanese peace ENJOYS failed to get
a large enough money indemnity to sat
Of the result. He made no secret of
his meaning. He saw the elements of
an immediate revolution confronting
the dynasty.
Emperor's Fall Possible.
"The world need not be surprised to
see Japan return to a military shotgun
ate, and the emperor reduced again to
the, position of powerless religious fig
urehead.
"Not only is the army all powerful,
but it is intolerart. Today it pays
practically no attention to the civil
branch Of the government 1t has
crowded out everything else. That
fact is so plain that nobody in Japan
will deny it.
'' From the highest officer down to
and it alone, has lifted Japan to the
position of a first class power, with a
seat in the council of nations. It is
| drunk. with power and with dreams Of
future glory. It looks upon civil poll
tics, with suspicion and contempt.
Dreamed of Sea Power.
1.-THE military leaders know that
Japan can take care of her financial
Russia. But with a billion or bill
ion and half of Russian money, they
dreamed of Japanese navy that would
make their country the first sea power
in the >world-the Great Britain Of
Asia.
"No man who has not been in Japan
within the last few weeks can under
stand or realize the imminence Of revo-
luton. ,A
Ono man who has not. been in the
field with the army can have any idea
Of how near it is to the verge Of re-
volt.
"The anti-foreign feeling in the
army is very deep and very bitter. Now
that the emperor has waived a money
indemnity from Russia and surrendered
the other things which the soldiery be.
lieved to be assured by their continued
victories, it will simply be said that
the foreign ministry, aided by Presi
dent Roosevelt, has sold out the empire
samurai Blood on Fire.
"The Samurai blood of the army is
on fire. Nothing else counts in japan
today. .,.-..
-"ff the army revolts T. believe thai
General Kodama, Oyama's chief Of
staff, and the dominant intellect Of the
intensely disaffected military caste, viii
be the leader. He undoubtedly will have
the support of generals like Hasa ads
and Oku nd of Goto, the shrewd ant
powerful governor of Formosa. Oyama
Kuroki and Nedzbu would probably a
=. first support the emperor. But the bull
of the officers and the men in the felt
would stand by Kodama.
"IJapan has 100000 actual fighting
men exclusive Of coolies and othe
classes-in the field at this moment
They believe they can easily defeat tn
Russian forces in front Of them ant
seize eastern Siberia. They are al
! ready and eager for the fight, o. =.
} Army May Fight On. s.-.
1T would not surprise me if the,
should ignore the treaty of peace, def,
the emperor and go right on with thu
> war with the idea that they can compe
Russia to yield what they demand.
= have, not the slightest doubt that tn
t people and the press, which is general,
! anti-monarchial rather than anti.dynas
TIC would fercely indorse such course
.' No doubt the navy would be Iowa
to the emperor 1t is a development O
S the new Japanese and has no connection
r sentimental or otherwise, with the al,
i Japan, whose ideas inspire the army.
!, am certain from what saw an,
|, heard in Japan Immediately before
!. sailed, that if Komura signs the treat,
Q Of peace as it now stands he will b
: killed as soon as he returns home.,'
DTrccrA nrroU 1x--