The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-31
JAPANESE HERO
MAY Be PERUVIAN
Commander Kurokiis Probably
of Latin Descent
SOME EVIDENCE Is GIVEN
Lima Official Gazette Says the Noted
Soldiers Father Was Named
Translto Charroqui-MiIi-
tary Adventurer.
SOME EVIDENCE IS GIVEN


The average student of history is well
aware of the fact that Immediately sub
sequent to the final downfall of the I'M
fortunate James II. of England. many
Irish, Scotch and English noblemen who
had faithfully adhered to the fortunes
of that ill-starred monarch fed to diff
ferent European countries, where they
and their descendants became famous.
The Scotch McDonalds, McMahons.
Hamiltons and Keiths were welcomed in
France and Prussia; the fish De Laceys,
O'Connors. Trenches and McNeils In Ger
many proper, while the other Irish chief
tains, OReily, O'Donnell, Macartnay,
Lever and oBrlen. were Hospitality re-
eeived in Spain, and their descendants
became famous in the church, the cabinet
and the field.
Upon the termination OF the war Of
independence throughout Latin America
and the intermnable political revolutions
that afterward devastated those coun-
tries, many Spanish Creoles fed to the
United States, to Europe, to Asia and to
Africa. Some of their descendants be-
came members of Congress, and others
occupied high political and social posi-
lions in this country Others confronted
the serried British battalons on the bat
tletields of India. Others served under
Ward, Burgrace and Gordon against the
Tapping revolutionlsts of China. Others
slgnalized their valor against the French
invaders during Napoleon Ills interven-
ton In Mexico. Others more recently
fought against Spain in the sanguinary
revolution In Cuba in 1S6S-7s, while still
others battled calamity In South Africa
against Roberts, Kitchener and Butler.
Descendant of Military Adventurer.
The famous japanese general. Kurok,
II the assertions of the Official Gazette,
published at Lima, Peru. may be credited,
II the immediate descendant of a Peru
Wan military adventurer who fought un-
der Bolivar against Spain.
The following is a literal translation
of the article In question:
France. Germany Austria and even
the South American republic of Colom-
bia, each claim Kuroki as a descendant
OF one OF their own military Adventures
But nothing is further from the truth
General kuroki, whose reputation is Sec
ond only to that of the Generalissimo
Oyama, of the Japanese army, Is of Pc
ruvian origin.
The following contains some particulars
regarding the family of this brave and
scientific soldier:
Upon the termination of the war of in
dependence In 1928, Transito Charroqui,
who was born at CuZo, served under the
famous llberator. Simon Bolivar. at Ju-
min, at Ayacucho, at the siege of Calloa.
against Rodi and at the battle OF Bor-
tesla and gained the rank of second
Lieutenant. AS he was somewhat lgnor-
ant and possessed an ugly temper, he
was very quarrelsome. He had a dispute
with two Colombian captains whom he
challenged Both the captains fell in the
duels that followed.
Saved by Japanese.
when the civil authorities became
cognlzant of this occurance. they gave
immediate orders for the arrest Of the
offender. Charroqu hid away In the house
of a Chlnaman. The latter furnished him
a canoe. In which he escaped to Callao
At this seaport another Chinaman pro-
vided him with the means to embark In
sailing vessel for nina. a few days
after his arrival in the Flowery King
dom he quarreled with a Chinese military
officer, whom he severely thrashed with
the fiat OF his own sword He was ar
rested. tried, and sentenced to be be-
headed. A Japanese merchant succeeded
In procuring his release and he embarked
with his preserver in junk for Maya
saki, The Japanese installed him in his
own family as a welcome guest. His
daughter, whom he shortly afterward
married. her father imposing tho condi-
ton that he should change his religion
which condition following the example of
many. both past and modern male and
female adventures he promptly COM
piled with. Through the influence of his
father-n-law he obtained the position of
master-at-arms In the Japanese service.
and taught the use OF the sabre and the
lance, and became a great favorite with
the Japanese officers.
Remembered Peru.
ION the day of his marriage he adorn-
ed the interior OF his house with Peruvian
flags and sang the national hymn of his
country. He afterwards taught his wife
10 play the guitar and sing the Peruvian
ballards.
Fourteen months after his marriage
his wife gave birth to son, who In after
days became the famous Gen. Kuroki.
Ten years after Kuroki's birth Transto
Charroqui died surrounded by his mourn
ing Japanese family.
General Kuroki was very much inter-
ested In the late war between Chile and
Peru. He even implored the Mikado for
a leave of absence for the purpose OF
Joining the Peruvlans in that contest, but
his sovereign refused his consent
"When he read of the assault of San
Francisco, of the gallant deeds of Grau,
and the heroism OF Bolognesi. he exclaim-
ed: In such manner night and die the
compatrolts of my father.
"Kurok entertains a deep affection for
Peru. and is thoroughly acquainted with
Its geography and history.
''Tt Is impossible therefore. to DENY that