General Meckel’s Opinion.

Manawatu Herald, 6 August 1904, Page 2

General Meckel’s Opinion.

Major-General Meckel, late of the German General Staff, who acted as chief military instructor of the Japanese array from 1885 to 1888, aud who recently received a graceful telegram of acknowledgement from Baron Kodama, chief of the Japanese General Staff, has made a number of interesting statements to a. representative of a Berlin paper.with regard to the conduct of the present war by the Japanese, and their prospects in the Campaign, In answer to the question,whether the Japanese would succ’eed-in capturing Port Arthur, General Meckel replied s< I. have no'doubt tha'thvhen the Japanese'believe the moment, for "storming the fortress to have come they will storm Port Arthur with success like that they have already received. Why should the events before Port Arthur differ from those of the battle of Kiu-chau ? When once the Japanese have made sure of success, they will again sacrifice 5,000 men without more ado. Does theworld know the heroism of this people ? The young men are going to the front with peculiar enthusiasm, and the parents who would show signs of shedding tears at parting would be scorned. They would sin against the Fatherland if, by their tears, they make it hard for their sons to fulfil their duty. So you can imagine that an adversary like this will still give the Ptussiaus plenty of trouble.” With regard to the ultimate result of the campaign General Meckel expressed himself as follows :

“ Wliat factor is going to be modified ? Certainly not the spirit of the men, who have no fear of death. There is no defect in the equipment. All that stands on paper is actually there. The organisation is already beyond all improvement. The private soldier is a capital shot. By all accounts their artillery is excellent. Among the officers there are a

marvellous number of clear-beaded fellows. Among the Russians that sort is hard! / so numerously represented, Only last year 1 was instructing six Japanese officers. Their knowledge amazed me, and their teachers were once my pupils. As a matter of fact, all the present Japanese chiefs of the staff are more of less my pupils. Kuroki, too, the general commanding the first Aerify Corps, has worked Under my direction, for he acconipanied ils on ft staff toltr. Yarnagata, who has now been appointed Commander-in-Chief of all the forces in the, held, always manifested a, friendly dimposition towards me. When the war broke out be wrote me, and said the struggle Was about to begin \ life hoped the Japanese would do credit to its instructor, and that T should he able to regard ffiy pupils With pride,” Time has more than fulfilled the hopes of the Japanese Marshall