Read Kobo: A Story of the Russo-Japanese War Page 1
Produced by Al Haines.
Cover art]
Koreans receiving Cavalry]
Kobo
A Story of the Russo-Japanese War
BY
HERBERT STRANG
AUTHOR OF "TOM BURNABY"
Illustrated by William Rainey, R.I.
NEW YORK G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 27 AND 29 WEST 230 ST. 1905
TO LILLIPUT WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO BROBDINGNAG
"Oh! it is easy to cross the Yalu river." --_Japanese War Song_.
_My dear Ralph,_
_Last year, I remember, you were a little reproachful because I sent"Tom Burnaby" to Jack at Harrow, and I made you a half promise thatpossibly at some future date you Taylorians should not be forgotten. Iam better than my word. Here is a book--too late for your birthday, butin time for Christmas--which I hope will meet with your good favour._
_It is now nearly ten years since, on one of the bridges in Osaka, Iwatched a battalion of the Imperial Guards marching to the China war.The Chinese had been driven across the Yalu and hustled throughManchuria; the Guards were to assist in carrying the war, if necessary,to the walls of Pekin. There was something in the bearing of thoseshort, sturdy, alert little soldiers to arrest the attention and givefood for thought. They had all the purposeful air of our own Gurkhas,with a look of keener intelligence, and a joyous eagerness that thrilledthe observer._
_In the China war the Japanese were for the first time measuring theirstrength. It was merely practice for the great struggle with theColossus of the North which all knew to be inevitable, however longdelayed. The humbling of China cost Japan little real effort, and we inthis country hardly realized all that was at stake when Europeandiplomacy robbed the victor of the fruits of victory. The part of GreatBritain at that period was regarded, perhaps justly, by the Japanese assomething less than that of the warm friend and well-wisher she wassupposed to be. Yet, in common with other English visitors to theircountry, I never met with aught but perfect courtesy and smilinghospitality. The politeness and self-restraint of the people, and theirextraordinary military promise, were among my strongest impressions ofJapan. How completely they have been justified the history of the pastten years and of the present struggle has shown._