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JAPAN BY THE JAPANESE

practical and most modern methods which could be found, either at home or in foreign countries. To this end no less than fourteen colleges and schools, or departments of colleges, have been established.

The Staff College is provided to enable young officers of distinguished ability to study the higher branches of military science, and such other branches of knowledge as are deemed essential to those wishing to conduct investigations relating to military affairs.

The Artillery and Engineering School answers the same purpose for Sub-lieutenants of Artillery and Engineering.

The Officers’ School is attended by cadets of various corps for preparation for the duties of subordinate officers. The term of study is one year. The annual attendance is about 450.

The Military Training School is devoted principally to students sent from the Infantry Corps for training in tactics, shooting, fencing, and gymnastics. The term of attendance is from two to seven months, the number of pupils irregular, and determined from year to year according to the demands of the time.

The Central Military Preparatory School is attended by graduates of the Local Military Preparatory Schools, and gives a general education as well as the preliminary instruction necessary for military cadets. The term is for two years, with an average enrolment of about 300 students.

The Local Military Preparatory Schools provide a general education and military primary work to youths wishing to become officers. They are six in number, and are regularly connected with the central institution of the same name. Each admits about fifty students each year for a term of three years.

The Military Riding School collects from the different Cavalry corps such students as wish to take a course in riding and tactics. The term extends over about eleven months, with an attendance which has not been definitely fixed.

The Military Field Artillery Shooting School is maintained for the benefit of students from the Field Artillery Corps, the term being from two to three months, with an attendance to be decided from time to time as circumstances direct.

The Military Paymasters’ School trains men for the post of paymaster, the applicants being admitted from among Lieutenants and Sub-lieutenants who have passed the examination, and also from the colleges of law of the Imperial Universities and from the higher commercial schools. The courses are divided into one of two years and one of six months, with an attendance varying from year to year as the authorities deem expedient.