The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-12
Recent Death of Henry w. Denison
Recalls Importance and Extent of
Work Done by Americans Serv-
ing Under Foreign Flags

of the present era took place. All Of
them were got rid Of as soon as there
was nothing more to be learned Of them. !
Denison and Durham W. Stevens, the
latter long Councillor Of the Mlkado's
embassy at Washington and who was
assasslnated at San Francisco by a Co
rean while a member OF the stan OF the
Marquis Ito. when the latter was Vice
roy Of Corea, were the last to remain.
They owed their retention to their COM
pcte cffacement OF self and to the quiet
and unobtrusive manner In which they
were content to work in the background
for their employers. instead of exploit
Ing their own glory and prestige.
Durham Stevens, when I was in ia
pan, was, like Denison. In the United
States srvice. as secretary and inter-
prefer OF the American Legation at
Toxic. and was collaborating with Deni-
son in preventing their respective chiefs
from flying at each others throats.
He enjoyed in a very exceptional degree
the confidence and regard OF Ito. who in
sisted on having him by his side when
he became Viceroy Of Corea. It may he
remembered that Ito shared some eigh-
teen months later the fate Of his Ameri-
can friend. being murdered by a Corean
on the platform of the railroad station
at Hardin. in Manchuria.
Among other Americans whom 4
learned TO know at Toxic back in the
'70s and who were in the service OF
Japan was my gallant old friend Gen
Lngcndre, veteran OF the War OF the
Union. during which he had been almost
shot 10 pieces. He was acting as prin-
cipal foreign adviser TO the Minister OF
War. OF commanding stature and with
all the delightful swagger Of the typical
cavalry leader. his hat usually perched
at rak!sh angle on his handsome head,
he was extremely popular with the jap
anese, although an object OF some 1eal-
ousy to the French army Instructors
by reason OF the great influence which
he enjoyed at the War Department.
He accompanied Field Marshal saigo
TO Formosa in 1876. on the occa sion OF
the latter's punitive invasion OF that
island, then belonging to China. and
acted as Chief of StafY OF the expedi-
ton, and already then conceived a Won
derfully high opinion Of the value of
the japanese soldier In modern war
fare. Indeed. he would often expatiate
w hi' ul'oii NHt OF tn0 role
which he felt that the Mikado's troops
were destined to play in the military
history Of the future. That his proph-
ecies were correct has been abundantly
shown by the victories OF the Japanese
during tho last two wars in Manchu-
ria. namely. that against China and
that against Russia.
To what extent the memory Of Gen.
Legendre still remains green with the
people of Dai Nippon Is strikingiy
shown by the fact that few Japanese OF
note. especially when they happen to be
the sons OF those who served with the
General In Japan. ever pass through
New York without looking up his only
son. William II. Legendre. who Is a
banker in Wall Street, and whose coun-
try house in Westchester Is filled with
valuable gifts presented to his gallant
| father by the late Emperor Of japan
and by the latter's Ministers.
Nor must I omit the name OF Or.
William Elliot Grlffis, now Of Ithaca,
y. Y. but who in the early '70s was one
Of the founders Of the present State edu-
catlonal system OF Japan. There IL no
japanese student. no man OF education
/ In Dali Nippon, who does not feel a debt
OF gratitude toward him. or who does
not think more kindly Of the United
States on his account.
/ Equally worthy OF note is the name
Of that Gen. Williams OF New York
] to whom the organization of the eco
monte system Of japan. on a civilized
( financial basis, is almost wholly due,
and who succeeded, without pecuniary
bnneft for himself in pepottatIpp