Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-07-09
Government officer at Daven-
port Says Jap Admiral is Due
For a Surprise Party
MEN READY AT FIRST CALL
Would Be the Happiest Men in the
World if War Were DecIared-com-
pares the Officers and Men of the
Navies of the Two Nations-other
News. - .
Special to Times Republican.

Davenport, July eff the American
sense Of humor did not predominant
the situation, there probably would be
some pretty highly incensed naval Off
GERS and men after the published in
terview with Admiral Sakamoto, at
lacking the honor of the men of the
American navy.
The Jap officer is due for little
surprise party" said George r. Weed,
u. S. navy, in charge of the depart
ment recruiting office of the navy.
so they think we would all desert
In case of war with Japan, do they?
1t is against the ethics of the navy to
boast, but l could venture to say that
there would be the happiest set of
Jackies in the world, in the United
States navy, If war with japan was
declared. The men would just itch
to prove the efficacy Of their years Of
training
There has been considerable local
comment on the dispatch from Toxic
telling of an interview in the Hochi,
in which Admiral Sakamoto criticises
the American navy. The admiral is
credited with the following remarks:
Should hostiities break out be-
tweel Japan and America the result
would be indecisive owing to want
of proper bases of operations. Such
bases as exist are too distant for prac :
teal purposes. Even the nearest bases
namely, the Pescadores, Cavite and
Manila-are at a distance of 600 miles
from one another.
Even if the Washington govern
ment should decide on a war, it Is
doubtful If the Americans serving in
the navy are sufficiently patriotic to
fight.
liant figures at balls and social gath
erings, but they are deficient in pro-
fessional training and practice.
1T is too much TO expect a burning
patriotism in the American naval SER
vice in case of war with Japan. 1t is
likely that most of the crews would
desert and leave the ships"
This is the interview which Will
make the blood of the Yankee sailors
boil with Indignation. II they lose
sight Of the righteousness of the in
terview.
"The training of the naval officers
speaks for ITSELF said Mr.. Vead.
They have to spend six years as
r:idshipman. Only a third of those
who pass the rigorous entrance ex-
In 4o
academy.
Il have been thrown with officers
and men for nine years in Asiatic wa
tiers and have had q chance to see the
navies of other nations and / can
safely say that the American naval Of
ficer is the hardest worker among all
the number Their entire time is spent
in drilling. target practice and at
tending to the details of their ships
"As for the men, any one who saw
them together with the navies of otl-
er nations in the march on Pekin,
will not question their discipline and
honor. The enlisted men take a closer
personal interest in the affairs of his
department and his country than the
men of any other navy. They are kept
III ClosSi epuS1l Will Tie 1GdSOllS 1Ol
their actions.
when there is talk Of any trouble,
leading to war, the men take a close
interest and are enthusiastic over the
outlook. They are on their mette,
and in case of war with Japan could
be depended on to show the little fell
lows that the difference between a
fight with Slav and an Anglo Saxon
or Celt, is radical.
The Japs are doughty little fellows
but they have been placed on a pedes-
tai and are continually kicking at pas
sersby. We have taken more CUFF
from them than we did from the
Spaniards before the war with that
country.
From what have seen Of the
japanese during nearly nine yeas of
service in Asiatic waters. I do not
think they would last long after re-
verses Their war with Russia was
continual round OF victories, but give
them few defeats and 1 think their
discipline would suffer considerably.
Anyway, we are willing to give the
Jap admiral a chance to see if we
would desert in case Of war"