OBITUARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 194, 30 May 1934, Page 5

OBITUARY.

admiral count toco

“JAPAN’S NELSON.’* (United Press Association— Copyright). TOKIO, May 29, Admiral of the Fleet Count Togo, “Japan’s Nelson, a national treasure and a living god,”'is dead, at the age of eighty-six. Admiral Togo was kept alive foi seme days by injections of grape sugar, which the Emperor sent. An awestruck, silent throng prayed in the streets outside the Admiral s wooden house. He was for some days the focus of the nation’s anxious attentions*." .

Japanese gave two reasons for their reverence of Admiral Togo l . First, lie was the Nelson of new Japan. When Japan, staked her future 011 defeating Russia it was Togo who sank the Russian fleet in the battle of the Japan Sea, and thus made victory certain. He had absolutely 110 political nor any worldly ambitions, unlike many other Japanese generals and admirals; theiefore, he had not an enemy, and was revered by every Japanese. Togo was one of the few great, victors in history who had known how to effaco themselves after the supreme moment. The admiral knew that his career was complete when lie had . accounted foi 38 out of .40 Russian ships. He was seen by the public but once a year The anniversary of his victory, May 27, 1905, has become Navy Day in japan, and on that day the boys and girls of the schools of Kojimaclii Ward, where lie lived. Tine up before his house. A spokesman for the boys reads a message, the representative of, the girls presents flowers. The admiral, a very quiet man, smiled a little, muttered his “dom arigato” of thanks, and later put on his faded undress uniform,. and on his way to the Navy Club for the official celebrations walked through a bowing, bareheaded crowd of neighbours.