MILITARY AND NAVAL JAPAN.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXVI, Issue 3451, 29 October 1915, Page 4

MILITARY AND NAVAL JAPAN.

(From "Every^Day Japan," by A.

Lloyd, M.A.)

When the Japanese Government after 1860 began to arm its troops in European fashion, and to make suitable preparations for becoming a first-class military Power, one half of the task was already accomplished before she put her hand to the ploughs at all. Japan had at the time of commencing her own renovation none of the modern appliances of warfare, and no experience of their use, but she had what was worth more to her a race of hereditary soldiers, well trained and disciplined in the military virtue, capable of obedience and capable of command, brave, self-sac-rificing. Guns and ships can be bought from abroad ; military tactics and strategy or the management of complicated machinery and appliances can be taught by men hired for the purpose in the space of a few months or years; but nothing except a long training for many generations can produce men with an innate aptitude for the military virtues. Japan fortunately, for herself, possessed these men in abundance, soldiers with spirits and minds as keen and bright as their untarnished sword blades, and it is to this long training of her samuari that she owes her, military excellence. -

When universal conscription was introduced the ,samuari thought that their peculiar privileges were taken from them, and Saigo rose in rebellion against what he esteemed to be an injustice. Time has' shown that his fears were groundless. The peasant, accustomed to obey and yet taught to think, has made the finest rank and file, I had almost saM in the whole world,, but he has not deprived the samuari of his ancient privileges of honour. The samuari are still,the brains, the intelligence, and the sword-arm of military Ja pan. Conscription is obligatory and universal for a period of three years, which will, however, be probably reduced'to two, as it is found that the shorter period is enough for military needs. Young men of education-can get off with only one year of service, and there are every year a certain number who escape service,.altogether. After the period of service is ovei the men are liable to be called back to the colours as reserves or landstrdm for a certain number of years, and during, the war with Russia great numbers of reservists were thus called out. \

As December Ist approaches one sees the v conscripts being conducted to the barracks by friends and kinsmen. Flags are flying and music playing. A few days later one sees the same flags and hears same music parading the streets. It is s time-expired soldier being welcomed back by his kinsfolk. Life in barracks, in peace time even, is strict and strenuous. Five o'clock in'winter and half-past four in summer is the hoar for risiag. Breakfast follows a few, minutes later, and then begin the labours of the day. Simple drilling and parade work do not en^ ter much into the soldier's daily life, He is, of course, taught to march and to handle his gun, but far more attention is paid to gymnastics, rifle practice, skirmishing, fencibg, and bayonet practice-rto everything that will tend to make him not a fighting machine but a living and intelligent unit of a fighting force. Work goes on from six to eleven, with short pauses of five minutes at a time between each form of exercise; then follows dinner with two hours of repose. From- two to six work continues as in the forenoon ; then sapper, recreation, and an early bed.

One great feature of Japan military life is that the officers share in all the exercises of the men, very little being left to non-commissioned officers, sergeants, and corporals. The officers are always on duty, and thus a very complete harmony is established between them and their men. The terror of the German Army, the regimental bully, the martinet^ sergeant, is practically unknown. The military officer has been fashioned ou the German pattern, for, since 1870, Germany has been the leading warlike example for Japan, to follow. His naval brother has been entirely trained after the model of the British officer. In the earliest days of the Japanese- navy the long row of low, white wooden buildings which now give shelter to^the Paymasters' Training School, were tenanted by a detachment of British officers, bluejackets, and civilian instructors, ol whom one still remains in Japan after forty years or more 1 of Far Eastern life, Professor Chamberlain, while his contemporary, Mr. Hammond, instructor of gunnery, has but recently gone to his rest. When the Academy, or Higher Naval College was founded in 1890 Admiral Inglis, R.N., was its organising adviser, and tt was but a short time ago that we laid in his grave one whom we all loved and respected, the genial Commander Patterson, who, served as instructor to the Academy for three years.. .' ',-■..'■.'■'.■'•■■

The Japanese naval officer commences his professional studies at the Imperial Naval College at Yetaiima, into which he has passed, by competitive examination, between the ages of sixteen and twenty. The college is open to everyone, with the Inception of married men, those who lave been criminally convicted, and undischarged bankrupts. The examination is of two sorts : first, a strict medical examination as to fitness for service ; -and, second, tb.2 usual educational examination. Tho latter occasionally varies, but generally comprises mathematics, including arithmetic, algebra, elsmentary Euclid, and trigonometry, phyrfes, chemistry, history, geography, crrawing (both mechanical and freeband), English in its various