Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-09
STORMS EFFECT ON WAR
may Interfere With Hostilities in the Far
r. Fast
The SeasOn for MOnsOOns and Ty-
phoons-somethIng About the Ter
..aa rible EHerey of the Latter. o..

One Of the members of the Japanese Ie-
gatlon In this city has raised an interest
Ing question IN connection with the war
between China and japan. 1t relates espe-
cially to the effect that the monsoon and
the typhoon, the season for which is fast
approaching, nay possibly have on the mil
itary operations Of the two countries. The
pressure OF the monsoon is not regarded
as a menace to sea maneuvering. but
Is feit OF the typhcon. The ,.s...er Is a re.
volving wind stor- whose effects are die
astrous. 1t Is believed by the officials of
the legation that naval movements. during
the typhoon season at least. will be some
what circumscribed The Chinese will
probably not venture a great distance from
their coasts. but will keep close to port
Japan. 1t Is thought here. will wage an ag-
gressive war against China, and some of
her objective points. in all probability, will
be the Chinese ports.
Already reports have reached here of high
gales or the Chinese coast that have COM
PEELED all craft but the stanchest steam
ers to seek shelter in port Naval officers
say mat when the dreaded typhoon sets
IN there Is nothing to do but run for it.
Inc U. ). s. Marion was struck by a storm
OF TINS Kind few months ago when be-
ginning her voyage home from China to
san idHClscO. one emerged III damaged
ccLdltloH and had narrow escape, not
outstanding she is a splendid sea boat
and was In the hands of the ablest naviga-
tor In the navy. When vessels are not
sunk by typhoons they are re1ientiy driv-
en- far out OF their course SO it will be
seen that naval operations between Japan
and China are likely to be conducted at
great risk For this reason opera tons of
the fleets probably will be restricted to
A curious fact has been developed from
researches in the records of The naval in
telligence bureau throwing some light On
Corean seamanship and tending to shake
our confidence in the belief that we origi-
mated the ironclad warship
. special report made by a naval officer
on Corean naval resources in 1883 says:
me old Corean navy consisted of tunks
armed with grapnels, punching pixies and
small firearms At present there are. no
vessels equipped for war purposes at all.
During the last war with the Japanese, in
1919 an iron turtle back was used against
the Japanese wooden junks. From the
ports under the turtle back graph els were
thrown on the japanese junks. which we're
then capsized or sunk. having holes punch
ed In them. This ironclad Is still in exist
ence at Yong Yong. 1t is one of the Oldest
II not the Oldest, ironclad in the world
A letter was received recently in this city
nom Lieut.. Col Won Hannekin, who was
on the transport Kow Shing when she was
sunk by the japanese torpedoes. 1t was
written In June. and the colonel said that
war was inevitable because the japanese
were determined to have one. The Chinese
were reluctant. he said and he anticipated
Japanese victories rat first because of
ChiEa's lack Of preparation. But I'm the
end. when the Chinese were fairly aroused,
they would certainyuhnd surely overwhelm
their adversariea ha,wrote.
The colonel Isl am officer of the second
rank in the Chinese service place of high
distinction, and,ds thoroughly Informed as
to her resources. He is highly trained
engineer Al no
the forts at Port Arthur and at wei-hai-
wei, on the opposite shore