INDIAN OFFICERS AND THE JAPANESE LANGUAGE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5737, 4 November 1905, Page 12

INDIAN OFFICERS AND THE JAPANESE LANGUAGE.

Tno Government of India has mado known its determination to give every encouragement to officers iu its service to study tho Japanese language. With tins view, three specially selected officers are to lie permitted to proceed annually to Japan to undergo a two years’ course of study. Tho officers chosen aro not to be above the substantive rank of captain. Tliey tvill be inquired to leave India early in September, and will travel, as on duty, at Government expense. The two years will bo spent in Japan, exclusive of the ncriod occupied by tho journey to and fro.

A preliminary examination w4l le held after four months, and an officer failing to pass that tost will ho required to rejoin his regiment at once. The object of this preliminary examination is merely to ascertain whether, in the examiner’s opinion, tho candidate lias been earnest and is likely to acquire in the time allowed a reasonable proficiency in the language. A second examination will ho hold at tho end of 12 months’ residence in Japan. An officer failing to pass the second tost, will bo considered recalled to duty. During their second year in Japan, officer students will be under tho orders of the Military Attache, Tokio. They will he required to keep a diary showing how they have been employed and the places they have visited or been resident in, and they will send their diaries at the end of each month to tho Military Attache, who will forward them to the Adjutant-General in India. During their last month in Japan they will present themselves for final examination. Fifty per cent, of the marks in. cacti subject must bo obtained to secure a “pass,” and 75 per cent. must be gained in each subject to obtain special mention. absent from India will receive full regimental' pay and allowances, and half the staff salary of their substantive appointments, both being converted at Is 6d per rupee, or they may instead receive sterling furlough pay if they elect to make this choice. Officers who obtain 50 per cent, of the marks for examination at the end of 12 months’ residence in Japan w’ill ho eligible to receive a reward of £IOO. An officer who obtains 50 per cent, of marks in each subject and 75 per cent, of the aggregate in the final examination will receive a further £IOO reward.