378 THE CHINO-JAPANESE WAR. 
cordingly on the 25th July the Japanese troops were set in motion 
against the Chinese at Asan. The Japanese force was about 6000 men 
all together. On the 25th July they started, and it was on this day 
that the first naval fight took place, which really began the war. The 
cruisers I have mentioned, as they steamed towards Chemulpo,' came 
across some Chinese men-of-war off Asan and a short naval fight 
ensued. ‘The Chinese ships soon retired and were pursued ; leaving, 
however, the steamer Kowshing in the presence of the Japanese cruiser 
Naniwa. The Kowshing was an Hnglish steamer carrying Chinese 
troops to Asan, and, as you know, she-was sunk and most of the troops 
on board were drowned ; and the question was raised as to whether 
the Japanese were within their rights in firing on a British ship. On 
the 28th July the Japanese force from Seoul found itself in the, 
presence of the Chinese who had moved forward from Asan and were 
in position on a ridge at a place called Seikan (I am using the Japanese 
pronunciation of the names.of these places, except of some well known 
places such as Ping Yang, because I do not know the Chinese or 
Korean pronunciation and I have heard the Japanese). 
. The Japanese moved off to attack the Chinese at midnight ; and the 
latter were soon turned. out of their position and retreated towards 
Asan. ‘They were pursued by a Japanese infantry battalion, but a 
halt wags made by the pursuers for rest and refreshment, and the 
Chinese got clean away to Shinshu, the Japanese losing touch of them 
altogether. They found lots of provisions at Asan, and after remaining” 
there about a day they begun their return journey to Seoul, which 
they reached on the 5th August. Preparations were then begun for 
the more serious business of driving the Chinese out of Korea. ' 
» Before continuiug this account I think it would be as well to state 
briefly how the Japanese army is organized. Organization is a matter 
to, be read in a book rather than listened to at a-lecture, but the 
Japanese army organization is so simple that I think a few words will 
explain it sufficiently. It owesits origin to the French, as the Japanese. 
naval organization owes its origin to the English; though in both cases 
modifications have been introduced by the Japanese themselves to suit 
their own requirements and to keep their services abreast of the times, 
and as regards the army, a great deal has been copied from the 
Germans. They have compulsory service, and it consists of three 
years with the colours, four years in the Ist reserve, and five years in the, 
2nd reserve, making twelve years in all. The recruits are drawn by 
lot and are taken in December of the year in which they reach the age 
of 20. There is also the so-called national army which is not yet or- 
ganized completely—consisting of all men medically fit between the 
ages of 17 and 40, and including those who have already done their 12 
years’ service. 
The names of the several units are the same throughout the service, 
thus an infantry battalion, cavalry regiment, artillery brigade division. 
have all the same word in Japanese—“ Daitai” ; and in the same way 
a company, battery or squadron are all called by another Japanese, 
name—-“ Chutai.”’ 6 HouRUl esol) 
