The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-01-29
sHIK1sHIMA SAILS FOR JAPAN
New Battleship Will Attempt to
Pass Through Suez Canal.

London. Jan. 2S.--Somc of the after
noon newspapers associate the depar-
ture today of the nav Japanese battle
ship Shikishima with possible compli-
cations in regard to the situation In
China. especially as IL is announced
that the Shkishima will endeavor 20
traverse the SueZ canal by Give3ting
herself of her armament. Up to the
present no ship of such a size has
travcrsed the canal. The intcrpreta-
ton that the departure Of the Shikish-
ina, was directly due to the situation
in Chtna>is incorrect, as 1t was learned
today that the date set FOR the sail
ing was decided on many weeks ago.
and farewell party was held on
board of her previous t. the deposition
of the Emperor of China. But, though
this incident had exaggerated import.
ance in the afternoon newspapers. the
Associated Press Is able to- say that
those in England most cognizant Of
the secret aims of JapoG. especially
those who are fulfilling her naval con-
tracts. have for some time past thor
oughly believed she meditated striking
a blow at Russia.
If this impression is correct. and
there is the highest and most conser-
vative authority on which to base 1t,
it is not unlikely that Japan's hands
may be forced. and that her intended
coup will be attempted before her
plans are completed. 1t may be that
Japan only mcditates for the present
a demonstration to prevent Russia
from accomplishing the designs which
various correspondents have credited
ttt, e.i, l,n oh
emperor. TWO powerful war vessels,
built for Japan on the Clyde. will soon
be ready to sail. while others are un-
der course of rapid construction Their
strength has not attracted much at
tention, but their Importance as inter-
national factors can be judged from
n statement by one of F'nglands great
est shipbuilders. who declared that the
vessels building for Japan are the
most powerful in the world, and coulh
destroy the best British ships IN mr.
teen minutes
Several of Japans vessels in course
of construction would have been COM
plated before now had not Japan en-
countered financial difficulties. IN"
British builders would not let the ves-
sells sail until everything was paid 10Y
in cash. To accomplish this Japan In
duced a syndicate Of English bankers
to advance the money. ana thelr actlon
has been the subject of good deal of
! private criticism in the inner admir-
alty circles, when ii was realized what
tremendous naval power JaI~0r was ac-
cumulating, and, although Great Brit
| aims strength was not impaired. it was
| thought inadvisab BILE Toy British capt.
| talists to so materially assist Japan ia
| become a dangerous rival.
A well-known naval expert says that
! if Japan puts in commission the ships
| scheduled for service in the near future
she will be ready for war within SiN
months. and can then defy Russia and
as the japanese and Russian ships al
present in the Far East compare
Japan's fleet would have an excellent
chance Of controlling the situation.
! The Shikishima which was laid dowr
! at the Thames iron works In March
/ 1897, was launched November |. 1888
She Is 400 feet long and 75 feet inche.
wide, and has draught of - feet
inches Her displacement is 1850 tons
indicated horse power, 14,500,and speed
1873 knots. Her armament consists o
| four 1o-inch guns in barbettes, four
teen 6-inch quick firing guns.ali mount
| ed in easements. twenty 12-pounder:
and eight Maxim guns. Her compile
ment Of officers and men is al.