Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1894-10-04
GoLDsRoRo, n. c., OCT. 4, 1891
ANOTHER JAPANESE VICTORY.

NR+pH AHS doASAAy - IAN AO~
IF the great triumph of the Jap-|
anese army at Ping Yang comes
the account of a still more decis-
lvG victory by the same power at
SEA. On Sept. II a feet of eleven
Japanese war ships conveying
two armed transports sighted
the enemy's fleet of fourteen
ships Of war and four gunboats.
The Chinese, though superior in
numbers, tried to run away, but
were pursued and forced to give
battle near the mouth of the Yalu
river.
The fight which ensued lasted
several hours and resulting in the
destruction of four Chinese war
ships and the disabling Of one or
more of the japanese: The com
batants must have fought with
remarkable courage on both
sides, for the battle beginning at
noon didnot end until dusk. The
victory rested with Japan, but it
did not involve the capture Of the
enemy's fleet; although the moral
effect is almost as great is if it
had.
The issue of the battle pro
badly settles the question of
Japan's supremacy on the East
ern seas and confirms Captain
Mahan's theory Of the influence
of sea power in determining a
nations greatness. Americans
have another reason for feeling
proud of the result, besides this
endorsement of our naval writ
er's opinions. The officers com
handing the Japanese ships IN
the late encounter T graduates
of our naval academy at Anna
polls. All of the seven captains
most distinguished in their coun-
try's service came from the An
napolis school. The first Jap
anese graduate Of that school is
at the head of the naval establish
ment, and the second is a rear ad-
miral commanding the famous
Maniwa which sunk a chinese
iron-clad few weeks ago. Lieu
tenant Commanding Gibson. T..
S. N, says
THE ships are all commanded
by Annapolis graduates, and
they made me feel proud Of the
work done at our naval school.
The captains T all young men,
full of zeal in their profession,
and know it's details thoroughly.
It made some of US feel the slow
ness of promotion at home to see
the boys we educated full cap
tains, commanding vessels that
would be a credit to any nations
fleet. The methods, exercises,
discipline, are all precisely as
they would be on an American
ship of the same class. The Jap
anese are born sailors, full OF
daring, and quite equal in profes-
sional requirements and practi-
cal knowledge to any officers OF
their experience in our navy OF
that of England. The ships are
fully manned, and their batteries
are four 8 inch and 6 inch rifles,
Armstrong guns, besides the
usual complement of rapid firing
guns"
If our nation were inclined tC
aggressive action in the East, as
happily it is not, we might FIND
some day that in training those
splendid sailors for the japanese
navy we had been cutting {
stick wherewith to whip our
selves; Cbut u relations Will
Japan are and have been almos
uniformly amicable. Only in thu
late Hawaiian imbroglio die
there seem a possibility Of col
lission; but Japan behaved will
great forbearance Throughout
that episode, and there cannot b.
any doubt of her thorough
friendship for the only Chris
tian nation which has treated he
with Justice ever since the op
ening of her ports to foreigl
trade and diplomatic relations.
The great powers of Europe d
not feel so easy in regard to tn
growing strength of the Orien
tial nation. England especial
has treated the Japanese wit,
characteristic insolence, forcin.
them to adopt a low tariff TO
the benefit of British manufae
turers, and imposing upon them
system of consular courts such a
prevails only in emi-barbarou
countries. It is not likely that
nation of forty million civilize
people, with a powerful arm,
and navy whose might has bee
proven on land and sea, wi
longer submit to those cond
tions. Japan will be heard {
very soon asserting her rigf
to make and administer her oW