RETIREMENT OF MARSHALL OYAMA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8116, 10 April 1906, Page 5

RETIREMENT OF MARSHALL OYAMA.

Received April 9, 8.31 a.m. TOKIO, April 8. Marshal Oyama, who commanded the Japanese land forces ia the war against; Russia, is retiring at his own request. Baron Kodama succeeds him as Chief of the General Staff. (Marshall Qyama has had a brilliant career. He reached the rank of colonel in the Japanese army in 1871 when he was 28 years old. He became a lieutenant-general in 1877, and general in 1891. He had the rank of field-marshal conferred upon him in 1898. During the FrancoPrussian War he served as military attache on the French side, and on bis return to Japan be entered the Ministry of War, to assist in the work of reorganising the army. In the Satsuma rebellion (.1277) he commanded a brigade, and took a prominent part in suppressing the revolt. When war broke out between Japan and Gbina, he was Minister for War, but be went to the front as commander of the second army, and oaptured Kinohan, Talienwaa, Port Arthur, and Weihaiwei. On war being declared against Russia, he was appointed Oommander-in-Ohief in Manchuria, and defeated the Czar's armies in a series of great battles. Baron Kodama also took part in the Satsuma rebellion. In 1900 he was sent to Europe to study 'the military system of Europe. In 1903 he was Home Minister, but on war breaking out between Japan and Russia he went to the front as Oyame's chief of staff).