Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-11


not only method and tactics. but great
guns and small ones.
One way in which Admiral Togo differs
from the great sea captains of other times
and of other nations is the manner in
which he places responsibility upon the
various units Of his fleet and on the men
SRSfs h o G other gnE lines many msa
Togo does not plan single-handed. or with
the aid Of only one or two men selected
from among his aids and subordinates.
or when any great battle is impending. the
admiral summons conference on his flag
ship of all the commanding officers Of his
squadron Then they are asked what plans
they have to propose. The admiral listens
and says not a word as the views of his
subordinates are placed before him. briefly
and clearly, for the admiral will stand no
eircumlocution.
When all the plans have been offered
there is a slight pause and then the ad-
miral speaks. This plan is good he
says. indicating which one he means.
Let 1T be carried out. Back to your ships.
gentlemen"
Every Man Does His Share.
According to naval experts, it is this
policy of Admiral Togo that has been an
important factor in the wonderful accom-
plishments of the Japanese feet. The ad-
miral does not take all the credit for draw
Ing up a plan of battle, nor stated, does
he draw up the plan itself, except, of
course. in cases where his best judgment
conflicts with the views of his subordinates.
On the other hand. he asks every man to
do his share. not only in fighting the YES
sells of the fleet. but in putting them In
readiness for battle in planning for the
battle itself and in sharing the credit of
victory. By this method he has made each
man an Interested and an important factor
in whatever Is accomplished. Each man
las welcome burden of responsibility and
the patriotism, ardor and courage of each
Individual is increased a hundrsdfoli in
col sequence.
Moreover. Admiral Togo plays fair He
has no favorites, He takes whatever men
are assigned to him. including those officers
OF his immediate staff designated BY the
TALLY; hs treats all alike, and, a result,
there Is probably more enthusiastic, con-
certed action and less friction in the Japa-
mesa fleet than there has ever been in any
fleet of the same size since history began.
The extreme modesty of Admiral Togo,
which incidentally is one of the distinguish
ing characteristics of the man, is we'll Illus
trated by a story told all over japan and
which is vouched for by Mr.. Ekl Hioki. the
japanese first secretary in Washington,
concerning Admiral Togo's appointment
commander-in-chiefo of the naval forces of
Japan When war was decided upon. the
emperor and his cal net realized that upon
the japanese navy depended the fate and
fortunes of the kingdom, and, as can well
be imagined, the work of selecting the right
man to be placed in command was Under
taken with the greatest care.
Finally, after all the available material in
Japan had been duly considered, Admiral
Togo was selected He known
splendid disciplinarian a tactcan of
note and as a man whose courage and de-
votion to country We're beyond question.
Moreover. he had a splendid record In The
Chinese-J japanese war having fired the first
shot in that conflict when he called for the
surrender of n British transport laden with
Chinese troops. In this case Togo actually
fired on the British flag. but was afterwari
fully sustained by the court Of inquiry
which Investigated the matter. His judg
ment and courage We're shown at that TINE.
Later as a captain during the course of
the Chinese-Japanese war, he fought his
battleship with skill and courage and was
highly commended. Consequently, the en-
peror and council finally decided thai 40
miral Togo was the man to lead the naval
forces of Japan to victory, and ne
dered from Sasebo, where he was in COM
mand of the naval station, to Tokyo.
How He Received the News.
When the admiral arrived at the capital
of the empire he was received by the minis
ter of marine, who told him of his selection
TO command the japanese fleet. But It
wasn't all told at once, however for the
minister, impressed by the importance of
his news and desiring to impress Togo
we'll, began at the very beginning. He told
him of the immense responsibility that It
had been decided to place in his hands of
the difficulties he must encounter and over
come, of the fate and future OF the empire
depending on his deeds and of II hundred
other things. Finally he wound up with
eloquent peroration and running out of
breath and words at the same time, waited
for the admiral 10 reply.
rs that all?" asked the admirl' respect
fully.
Not quite" the minister replied. and he
proceeded to string his notification oIt an
other half hour. making the wind-up even
more impressive and eloquent than before.
rs that all?" asked the adml..l again.
at is" the minister replied. leaning back
in his chair, prepared TO hear an expression
OF gratitude. delight and astonshmen- from
Admiral Togo. together with statement
Of the wonderful things he would accom-
plish and a declaration that the fate of the
empire was safe in his hands. Consequently
the minister nearly fell out ot his chai"
when, after his question had 0s"n answered,
the admiral bowed respectfully, said "All
right in his everyday, quiet manner, and
walked out OF the ministers presence
The Aids Reassuring Report.
The minister OF marine didn't know quite
what to make of such man and neither
did his colleagues of the cabinet circle. 10
whom he related the incident. Finally the
emperor sent one of his aids to visit Togo's
heet and report what was going On. The
aid came back and said he thought Togo
was all right.
What has he donc?" was asked
We'll" the aid replied. when he took
command of the fleet he called council
of the commanding officers Oil board OF his
flagship and gave the fouowinS orders:
Go back to your vessels. Write your last
letter home. Do not read the newspapers.
Drink smoke, make merry. ana Wait Cor
orders"
The aid also reported that every vessel
oc the fleet was in splendid cordition, that
The men were happy and contented and
that the whole naval force was trained TO
the minute for active operations.
The emperor decided TO leave Togo In
command and see what he could do. The
emperor Japan and the world know by
iris time what he has done and the fame
Of Togo the Silent" man of deeds and not
Of words, is worldwide.