The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-09

OF 1900 tons and % knots speed at Arm
strong's. Three 3,000.ton protected cruis-
ers Of 20 knots, together with three torpedo
gunboats and a despatch vessel are build
ing ut Yokosuka. There are eight 9O.ton
torpedo boats building for Japan at the
Schichau works in Elbing, Germany there
are four more Of similar type at the Nor.
mand Works, ut Havre, France, and there
are eight 3O.knot torpedo boat destroyers
going forward, four at Yarrow's and four
at ~Thompson's, in England. Such Is the OK.
pansion of Japan's navy actually In sight;
and when we keep in view that the new
fleet comprises the very latest and highest
types of naval architecture in respect of
force, economy, and efficiency, we are not
surprised that Mr.. CRAMP should describe
Japnn's advance as phenomenal, nay, as
indeed cyclonic.
What is the purpose Of Japan's extreme
activity in naval preparation at this time2
Mr.. CRAMP does not believe that the cx.
traordinary increase of her naval resources
is aimed Mt the United States. He thinks
1t probable that she meditates q renewal
Of her efforts TO establish a footing on the
Asiatic mainland, and that, possibly, she
may contemplate the eventual acquisition
of the Philippine Islands. If, however, she
simply intended to attack China alone, or
Spain alone, no such fleet as is now under
construction would be needed; certainly
not the enormous battleships and the great
armored cruisers. Apparently, Japan is
determined to become so Enthusiastically
the preponderant naval power in the far
East that European nations will not again
deem 1t prudent to intcrpose and rob her
Of the fruits of victory. Touching this
point, we learn from Mr.. CRAMp that not
long ago a Japanese gentleman of distinc-
tion remarked in the course Of conversation,
that "while Japan was forced by circum-
stances to yield at Shimonoseki much hat
she had fairly conquered, she still secured
indemnity enough to build a navy that
would enable her.to do better next time
The three countries which, as bordering
on that ocean, are most deeply interested
In questions affecting the control of the
North Pacific arc Russia, the United States,
and Japan. In view Of the vast proportions
which, within a few years, the Mikado's
navy will assume, is it likely that our own
country or that Russia will have in 1908
any pretensions to rank with Japan as Pa
cifc powersl Mr.. CRAMP answers the
question in the negative. He points out
that the United States has halted COM
pletely in the path Of naval development,
while Russia is trying the experiment of
reliance on her imperial dockyards, which,
although they turn out good work. are not
adequate to the task imposed by the situa-
ton outlined above. Japan, on the con-
trary, although she has some facilities of
her own is drawing on the shipbuilding
powers at once of England, France, Ger.
many, and the United States Moreover,
the vessels which Japan is building in the
shipyards of France and Germany, as
we'll as those under construction in
England, are pronounced by Mr.. CRAMP
superior to any vessels which those
nations are building for themselves,
class for class. The conclusion seems un.
avoidable that, in the race for naval SUI
premacy in the Pacific, Japan Is rapidly
gaining, while Russia and the United
States are losing ground. Mr.. CRAMP does
not hesitate to say that Japan, at her pres
ent rate Of naval advance, viewed with re-
lation to the lack of progress on the part of
Russia and the United States, must be
able in three years to dominate the Pacific
against either, and, in less than ten years,
against both combined. As to the charac-
ter and quality of the japanese personnel.
Mr.. CRAMP, who has come in daily contact
with japanese naval officers as inspectors
of work, declares that they are unsurpassed
by the officers Of any other navy in respect
Of professional ability, studious application,
and capacity to profit by experience. At.
tention is also directed to the fact that,
while all other nations have been ponder.
ing theoretical problems or performing
sham maneuvres, the Japanese have been
fighting battles, sinking ships, and bonn.
harding towns