The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-12
THE WORST YET.
London Times Compares Spaniards
to the Chinese.

London. July 12--The Times, in an arti-
minute criticism of the naval battle of
Santiago de Cuba and arrives at the con-
Spaniards afioat and on shore Shore must be
hOpe1essly incompetent, or their ammuni-
ton must be nearly worthless"
1t thinks that the fire of the Chinese
was relatively excellent
Both squadrons," continues the writer.
carried tOrpedOes, but these might a 5
we'll have been on shore, for the Ameri
can ships had no possible inducement to
close to within torpedo ranEE. and the
Spanish ships, receiving, CONTIGUOUS pun
ishment, were una bic to do So The
ton like that of the Yalu was therefore
decided by the gun, which will continue
to be the dominant weapon in naval war
The supreme importance of good naval
the battle of the Yalu, fire is reported to
have burst out quickly on the stricken
vessels, but it is not impossible that in
some cases oil may have been employed
upon the decks to insure destruction if all
hopes of escaping capture had vanished.
Upon the question of the value of side ar
NOR as compared with protective decks,
for cruisers no light is at present forth
coming. The fate of the torpedo boat
destroyers PlutOn and FurOr is note
bustible material and the reports that they
were set afire may have been due to the
apDea rance of flames from DAMAGED fun
nels. The fact remains that the craft
which had been claimed as dangerous an
tagonists for battleship were hopeIesslv
wrecked by an armed yacht which pos
sessed nOminaly far inferior speed. The
inference is that the tabuIated elements of
need great qualifications. It appears in
disputable that the devotion Admiral Ger
vera s seamen displayed in continuing a
hopeless struggle till the last was worthy
of the loftiest traditions of the Spanish
people"
Regarding General Skaters expedition
the Times article says:
1T recalls in many respects England'S
expeditions in the Crimea. but the lack
of science and of organization have re-
suited in fresh demOnstrat ton of the ad-
mirable fighting qualities of the Ameri-
cans
With reference to the actual position at
Santiago the article observes:
The United States seems naturally to
have decided that the terms of surrender
should be unconditional and in the cir
Cumstances permission to evacuate could
mOOted in New York that the Spanish
garrison can escape if it desires appears
to have little foundation. Escape in the
face of an active enemy at close quarters
is not easy operation, and although
General Shafter is not prepared for pur-
able to hold the Spaniards. while the latter
without transport or food and liable to
the guerilla attacks of the CubanS, would
experience great difficulties.
There is nothing now to justify a fur
Their expenditure of life upon either the
true that Admiral Sampson declines to
send ships into the harbOr, his decision
cannot be too strongly mmended- War
ships have no business in cramped waters.
where the fire of one or two guns may
disable them.
With reference to Admiral Camara'S
movement. the writer says:
His costly proceedings supply a strong
commentary the terrible miSmanage-
ment of the business of war at Madrid