The times., 1898-07-23
OPINIONS OF FOREIGNERS
Lieut. Akiyama, of the Japanese
Navy, Praises Americans.
THE ACCURACY or OUR AIM
The Destruction of Admiral Ger
yerH's Fleet Illustrated the AbiI-
ffy of the American Gunncrs to
shoot Fast and Hit 0ftcn--The
Ships We're shrouded in smoke.

New York, July 22.-Foreign military and
naval officers who were with the army be-
fore Santiago and who came from Sinore rey
on the transport Seneca, went to me Ho-
tel Martin last night when they came to
the city after being released from lioff-
man Island. They were Colonel Yermo-
lon, Russian army; Enver Pacha, Turk
ish army; Lieut.. s. Akiyama, japanese
navy; Count Won Rebeur Paschwitz. Ger
man army; Commander V. f. Anderson,
swedish navy; Captain Abildgaard, Nor
weg.an navy and their aides.
Lieut.. S. Akiyama. the Japanese naval
attache at Washington, was more commu-
nicative than his associates. He Is an
exceedingly intelligent man and well vers~
ed in naval warfare, lie witnessed the
memorable battle of the Yalu and was
sent by his government TO this country
to watch the naval engagements off Cuba.
Referring TO the annihllation of Ger
vera's fleet Lieut.. Akiyama was unstint-
ed in his praise of the American fleet.
the commanders and the gunners.
1t was a wonderful engagement and
has no parallel in history. said he. Il
saw the entire fight from the deck of
the Seguranca and, while il furnished no
idea of what the Americans can do in the
way of formation and tactics, yet il illus
trated their ability TO hit and destroy.
when the Spaniards came from the
harbor | was asleep. but not so were the
American lookouts. So soon as the alarm
was given the American vessels prepared
for action and the Spaniards ran down
the coast. They were quickly closed in
upon by the Americans and blown TO
pieces. 1t was magnificent sight The
wonder is that the American gunners
could see any object TO shoot at. because
the smoke was 50 dense, but they did.
The reason for the Spanish defeat was
that they were overmatched, both in the
number and efficiency of the American
vessels and the superiority of the gun
ners and the handling and speed of the
American ships.
He said the American seamen were the
equal of any in the world He was par
ticularly impressed with the execution
done by the Oregon, and the pluck of the
men on the Gloucester
The Lieutenant preferred not 10 speak
about the Seneca voyage beyond express
ing his regret that there was not better
food. mora ice ana better water. lie left
today for Washington.
Speaking Of the poor accommodates
for the sick and wounded on the Seneca.
Capt. Abildgaard said:
1 ne toIulI!oIlS were very Oda 4 44c
wounded soldiers did not receive proper
care. The medical comnissary depart
ment must have made Il grievous mis-
take
Continuing. he remarked of his expert
ence at the front: THE Americans never
went back. always forward"
Were the Spanish shots effective?'
was asked.
They fired much, but they did not
hit much
The foreign military attaches and many
Of the American army officers who were
able-Dodied men were quartered in the
first cabin. en-. Enver Pacha had the
best room in the ship and unlike the
other foreign officers. obstinateiy re-
fused to give Il up for the accommoda-
ton Of the wounded Americans