OBITUARY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 February 1922, Page 5

OBITUARY.

PRINCE YAMAGATA. JAPAN’S GREAT WARRIOR STATESMAN. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Feb. 2, 5.5 p.m. Tokio, Feb. 1. A telegram to the United Press reports the death of Prince Yamagata. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. [For at least half a century the late Field Marshal Prince Aritomo Yamagata has been a prominent figure in all that has tended to raise Japan to the status she now holds as one of the Great Powers of the world. Born at Chosu in April 1838, this remarkable man was destined to become a brilliant statesman, as well as a great i soldier. He came on the scene at the time of his country’s transition from comparative insignificance to a position of eminence, and its progress was largely due to Yamtl gate’s exceptional powers of foresight, organisation and tactical skill in civil and military spheres. After the civil war in 18fib, in which he commanded the troops of Echigo, Yamagata visited Europe, and there absorbed Western ideas and methods, with the result that on his return to Japan he advocated universal military service, and to him is due the complete organisation of the Japanese army, of which he later became Chief of the General Staff. In the war with China he commanded the First Army Corps and obtained a decisive victory at Pingyang, attaining the rank of Field Marshal in 1898. His rise in the political arena of his country was equally rapid, his first office being that. of Junior ViceMinister of War in 1870. and becoming Prime Minister in 1889, five years after he had been created a count. Later he became a marquis and ultimately a Prince—the highest honor to which he could attain. He has left his mark on the history of his country and well deserved the honors he obtained.]