New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-06
SEA ! POWER ABROAD.
THE NEW JAPANESE NAVY-WORK IN
ENGLISH sHIPYARDS FOR SPAIN AND
OTHER FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS
THE SURVIVAL OF THE
EITTEST

THE SURVIVAL OF THE
FITTEsT
London. February %
Sea power IS problem with factors of UNI
known value. Naval construction during the
last thirty years has been essentially expert
mental. There have been no fights by
which the utility Of the costly mechanism of
naval warfare could be tested declsively. Owing
70 the lack Of seamanship of the Chinese. the
japanese victory OF the Yalu unlnstruc-
tive 70 naval experts LISA or the petty en-
gagcmcnts off the west coast OF South America.
o. the bombardnlent OF Alexandra. The mod
en- fleets have been built on new and constantly
VARYING lines and there has been no experience
In actual warfare ny which tie defensive quail
flies OF armor. the seaworthiness OF battle ships
and the destructive energies Of torpedo hOtllas
could be demonstrated. Among all the mysteries
Q: the sea d modern navy is the most inscrut-
a1le After a new Trafalgar there Will ne light.
Naval construction viii be revolutionized after
a decisive war In WHICH the values of what are
now unknown quantities OF a feet are definitely
ascertaned.
In view Of all these uncertainties and mysteries
OF naval warfare. the only practical theory on
which feet can be built and maintained is
that Of the ultimate survival Of the best types.
The British Admiralty has acted upon this prin-
cipe in providing a large number Of war vessels
OF eyers class-battle ships. cruisers, gunboats
and torpedo craft. Whenever q naval war
comes on some of these engines OF sea power
will be proved to be miscalcuiated failures and
others Will be shown to have superior efficiency;
hut, whatever happens the British Navy will be
found to be wei equipped with the best types.
The Japanese Government in creating new
rf,,Y ic adj he
l, is now building at home and abroad sixty-fve
large vessels of various classes and 126 torpedo
craft Of various designs 1t is reproducing in
England, tho United States. France and Ger
many the best types known In four foreign
navies, and IL is constructing at home a 90
knot cruiser OF $500 tons. three 2O-knot
cruisers OF 5000 tons three torpedo catchers a
dispatch-boat and other vessels. When this
work is completed. In the course Of two or three
years. the japanese Government Will be able to
forecast with composure OF mind the new Traf-
agar, with its inevitable revolution in naval
construction. Whatever may be- the results of
practical experience In warfare It Will have ves-
sells OF the best classes after the survival OF the
fttest and the condemnation Of the least SER
vceable types.
This policy Is well illustrated by the vessels
now under construction in English shipyards for
the japanese Navy The Shikishima. which is
building IN the Thames Iron Works will he
equal In every respect TO the most powerful
battle-ship Of the Majestic class in the British
Navy: and two sister ships have been ordered
and will be completed within twenty months at
the Thomsons' and the Armstrong; yards.
Each OF these three floating fortresses Will have
displacement of about 14900 tons. with length
OF 800 feet and IS feet beam, a mean draught
o. 27is feet and speed OF IL Knots. Ihey
will correspond closely IN armor and armament
70 the Hannibal. Cesar. lllustPlous' Jupiter
Mars. Prince George. Magnificent. Victorio'-S
and Majestic. These are the most lorinioaoic
warships,in the British Navy six OF them nav
ing taken part IN the Jubilee review Inc
Ja,a,ase .hat,le-ships will have a Harveyzed
bel, l6 feet broad and go feet long. TWO hoodea
barbettes heavily protected decks. and 40 com.
partnents with 200 water-tight doors. Their
batteries will include four Pinch Acton guns
twelve 6-inch guns in classmates, smaller
cuick-Arlng guns. Maxims and a complete tor
peso eouip,,ent. The Japanese battle-ships will
have all the improvements which experience
and sciAr,iec knowledge have suggested in the,
course Of the development OF the Majestic CLASS
Tor thc British Navy.
" addition N these three battle-shps, another
has been building at Elswick by, the Armstrong;
as sister ship 10 the Full. recently completed
This Is the Yashirna, with a displacement or
l245O ,onA and a speed Of Is krots. Ihis
ta.,le-sb,n &c 374 feet long and 1874 Feet
bean, and has O mean draught OF 2o1p rect
SIZE has a Harveyized belt from IA 10 u 'heHes'
two barbeites with two 12-inch guns IN e@ch
q connina-tower classmates for ten o-inch gums
and a protected deck She is fully PROVIDED VIII"
Quek- firing gums and torpedo-tubes ana voa'7
The Yashina and the Full are most Formidable
tattle-ships. equipped with every defehce ana
weapon which advanced naval science can sup
ply.
japan is building In Europe four srH'o'e ca
cruisers Of 1900 toms, with an estimated speeu
q 20 knots Two Of these have Dee" o'"o'eu
in England. one In Stettin. GERMANY "'N
tne fourth in France. In addition 70 'he wv
protected 23-knot cruisers now under cons'i
ton in the United States for Japan a 'ili'u
one the Takagago is now IN progress al I-is-
wick This vessel will have q tonnage az 400
and is designed TO have speed OF :" Aho'S
The value OF the torpedo-boat in actual war
fare is one Of the vital points OF na'a' con-
uoyersy; and until 1t is ascertained no ma
time nation can afford TO leave this oGaHo" -
the service undeveloped England nee!eCleo d"
until warned ~ her lnfcrorAy by the activity
OF the German Government IN supplying torpc"o
equipment, and even now this is Inc Weahe''
point in the British Navy, as Is shown oS '''e
comparative exhibit OF naval resources IN A'''
Laird Clowess admirable manual Japan IL oiS-
playing extraordinary activity In improving inc
torpedo service. In England she has cor'fac'eu
Tor the construction Of eight torpedo-oes'IoSe'N
VI the type favored by the Admiralty ana WIN
an estimated speed Of 80 knots. -Four or THESE
are butie!ns at Thorneycroft's and four AZ HI
fo~A,fyApan has aleo ordered recently IN 1er-