The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-12

that she has a torpedo boat which she
is inclined to believe will be superior
to all others. 1t is the invention of
young lieutenant named Sergius Ro-
kosfpky. Until quite recently the most
strict secrecy was maintained regard
ing this craft, but an enterprising
newspaper correspondent. managed to
gain an inkling of the fact and SNUG
gled the news out of Russia. The one
important detail of the construction
and operation of the Russian boat is
the discharge of the torpedo at short
range. This torpedo is so constructed
and its explosive force so nicely calcu-
lated, that the explosion will not injure
the torpedo boat itself in the least,
even though the shot be fired in close
enga cement.
Though rumors of mystery of a
naval sort, which France enjoyed have
been flying thick and fast, the facts
are here given for the first time. She
has two new submarine torpedo boats,
and with them, like ali the rest, be-
leves she could not only cope with,
but defeat any naval power of the
world. So great is her confidence in
her new craft, that she has actually
ceased planning in reality any new
naval vessels, this action being based
on the belief that if any other vessels
are constructed they should be sub
marine destroyers. Frances submarine
boats are said to be more suitable for
human beings to exist in than the or
binary craft of that nature. The pro-
jectile which their guns will throw, is
also believed to be of greater explosive
power and therefore more dangerous.
For several years the German emperor has
paid remarkably close attention to naval mat
tiers. 1t is familiar to all those who follow
German affairs that the emperor's request
for heavy naval appropriation came very
near causing a serious breach between him
and the reichstag. 1t has been learned that
one Of the principal reasons for wishing this
appropriation was the emperor's desire to
equip the nation, as it were, with fleet of
submarine boats. He was, it will thus be
seen, sufficiently far-sighted to discern
months ago the fact that has now only fairly
dawned upon the great powers of the world,
that it is more than likely future naval bat
ties will be fought under water. As it is
Germany has but enc submarine boat, and
beyond this fact little is known, except that
she is not of the fsh-like construction which
distinguishes the others, but is really shaped
more on the order of that famous imagin-
airy craft, Capt. Neme's Nautilus. She has
no ram, but is said to make up in her ability
to handle explosives what she lacks in this
respect.
A story has Just been published which tells
US that the Japanese navy is to be vastly
improved, and hints at facts concerning this
with which the public is not familiar To
certain extent this is true, for never before
has it been made known that even little
one which is complete, but still another sub
marine vessel of war is building. Ever since
japan proved her fighting powers on the seas
during her conflict with China, she has been
seeking to improve her navy. So familiar
have the visits of investigating parties of
Japanese officials become that they have al
most ceased to attract notice. These visits
have been bearing fruit, however, and the
submarine vessel is one Of the varieties
of fruit which Japanese enterprise has caused
to grow. This boat was constructed under
the supervision of its American inventor, who
declares that while in principle it resembles
others, in matters of important detail it diff
! fers widely and in ways that will give 1t
| great superiority in time of conflict The
boat that is now being constructed will, it Is
| said be superior to the one already built in
several respects.
The facts quoted show plainly enough that
! the submarine war vessel has risen far be-
yond experiment. Whether or not future
naval battles are fought under water alto
| gether, the submarine boat Is sure to be an
! important factor.