A VISITOR FROM THE EAST

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2238, 26 August 1914, Page 6

A VISITOR FROM THE EAST

'' > JAPAN AND KIAOCHAU. A gentleman wiio arrived by the Ma-.' heno, from the Far East wa6 seen by a representative of the Auoldand "Star" on Monday, and upon; being informed that Japan had declared war with Germany ho remarked: "It .will be no\more than an experimental manoeuvre for the navy of Japan. I left there last June, and can assure you that the country-is' always prepared for The military and naval -training there is excellent, but not in the machine-like form that is a marked feature of the German system.' The Japanese ' are intensely patriotic and filled with esprit de corps. I-.ara not surprised at them declaring war against Germany,-, as, apart from the fact. that_.tliey are in treaty with Great Britain, there! ,is also not' the slightest doubt that.there was no lovo for Germany since that nation blocked Jaipanfrom securing the fruits of yi<y tory over China some years ago. _ I havo no hesitation in.saying that with Japan it is-a case of absolute propared'ness for war at any time. I saw the 'troops drilling in all. tho "■ principal (centres when I was there."

In answer to, a query regarding Kiaochau, £hp gentleman remarked: f'l left there on May 7. It is a magnificent' .place, and has 'a -very fine harbour. Germany has spent millions upon Kiaochau, the place being also well fortified, and having large barracks. -_ The town is splendidly laid out with wide 6treets,. 'everything having been, done in the thorough manner characteristic of tho German nation, .-which does the work in the sure faith that the inrush of commerce will in duo course repay the putlay. Kiaochau is a health resort for the Chinese people. It is in tho Shantung province, and therefore calculated to capture the silk-trade. Imfact, this: year for the first time it did get the bulk of the trade, in that article, to the detriment of the British post of Chi-fou: This is to.a great extent due to the fact that Germany has constructed' a railway from Tainarifu, a distance of about 200 miles; and I understand that a further concession had been obtained oft an area of ten miles otyrich alluvial country 2ach side of.the railway for the whole of that distance.'.'•.