The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-01-03
Weakness In the R u S s ! a n
Forces Overlooked
RESERVE INC0NSlDERABLE
Navy Officer Discusses Situa-
ton in Far East.

Four months ago the naval forces or
Russia and Japan, facing each other in
the Far East, were so nearly equal in
strength as to make extremely doubtful
the outcome of any general engagement
That such an engagement must precede
any serious military work is plainly evil
dent, for q sure control Of the sea be-
tween Korea and Japan is absolutely nee
essary as a precedent to the transport
and maintenance of troops by either side.
Each power was represented by six bat
tleships, of which the Japanese were III
every case the more powerful; but this
feet Of six is the total battieship strength
of Japan. In armored cruisers Japan has
thirteen for her total strength, while
Russia was represented by eight.
At the present moment reinforcement
Of the Russia feet is enroute, and scat
tered between Gibraltar and Colombo,
proceeding with all speed to the east, are
six frst-class Russian batueships-exact-
ly doubling the main fleet strensth-and
Eve arrnored cruisers, which practically
eouanze this feet element.
1t would seem, therefore, that the ad-
vantage rests entirely with Russia. both
as to the eventual result of a war-which
has constantly been freely acknowledged
b. Japan-and to a quick control OF the
sea as precedent to military operations.
Even should Japan declare war at once
and force a general feet action, a victory
for her would be of little service, for her
feet could not withstand second trial
with a fresh squadron of equal strength
There is however, an element OF weak
ness in the Russian situation that beyond
doubt has prepondering influence in the
question OF war or peace, and that has
escaped general public attention, although
the evidences are plain that 1t has care
fully been weighed by the neutral but in
terested powers.
The total effective naval strength of
Russia, ''in being at this date is twen-
ty-nvs battleships and twenty-five ar
morea cruisers OF the battleship strength,
eight are securely locked UP in the Black
sea: one 0he Peter Veliky), although
carried on the Russian navy list as an
effective, certainly has no business there,
as she was launched in 1872, and has prac-
tically no defensive strength worth con-
sideration. AS above noted, twelve are
either in the far east or making ALI speed
70 get there. There remain, therefore, as
the total reserve battleship strength of
Russia, bus four battleships, not single
one OF which is of frst-class rating; that
Is. Of a strength beyond that of the Amer
lean battleship Indiana.
In addition, there are now being COM
pleted at ST. Petersburg, two battleships-
tF
possible to add to the fleet during the
present year, but beyond these two Rus
Ella can not possibly gain any addition
within three years.
OF her armored cruisers, two are locked
up in the Black Sea, and thirteen In the
east, leaving n reserve of ten which how
ever useful they may be to throw into the
balance against Japan. are Of absolutely
no consideration in so far as European
complications are concerned.
VIII Russia force the issue and risk the
sacrifice of even her combined feet in the
east? Full allowance must be made for
the circumstance that throughout the
present quarrel. Japan has unreservedly
acknowledged that war must inevi-
tally result in her defeat. 1t required the
combined intervention of Russia, Ger
many. and France, and the strict neu-
traiity of Great Britain, to force her TO
1orego the confirmation of her scquisi-
lions in China in 1888 1t can therefore
scarcely be matter TO doubt that in the
present condition. with Great Britain and
France holding each other In check, and
Germany remaining strictly neutral, she
will make the sacrifice of ultimate II too
hardly pressed.
The Russian feet is far superior to that
OF any other nation in the east, and I'M
come critical with other European pow
ers. This preponderng naval strength. If
maintained Intact. must be OF advantage
to Russia in the gradual and tortuous
determination OF the questions concerning
her influence and central OF northern
China; but the Japanese feet is so strong
that even in defeat she is bound TO in
fiict most severe punishment to the
Russian naval strength such a one as
would plainly risk, II not stop altogether.
her progress in northern China for years.
Is the game worth the candle?
AS possible straw showing the direc-
tion of the wind, the recent acquisition
of the two Gillian battleships, Constitu-
elty seems anropos. As reported in the
press and undoubtedly true. these ships
were "a good bargain" having been
purchased for nine and a half million
dollars. when they were held by Chill
at eleven millions. which was by no
means an exorbitant price. There are no
better ships in the world today OF their
class and undoubtedly they make an
eppreciable addition even 10 the over
wfelming strength of the British feet.
But these ships are 12.ooe tons displace-
ment each. and Great Britain ceased add
fng such small battleships 10 her feet fif-
teen yenrs ago, and the Admiralty clearly
has no idea of reintroducing thi. element
of second-class battleshipS into her feet;
nor with the existing feet strength OF
Great Britain. almost equal to that o.
any three naval powers together. was
there the slightest necessity of such
purchase.
Neither of these ships were fairly avail
able to Japan, for even putting aside the
very serious monetary consideration. the
strength added 10 the Japanese feet
would not be enough to seriously con-
s!der as compared 10 the overwhelming
strength of the Russian feet surely 10 be
met II war ensues. Japan-s limited credit
would be more effectively used otherwise
To Russia, the addition however would
have been of very positive value in the
added strength given 10 her fatally weak
reserve. Add 10 this circumstance the
fact that today and certainly for three
years to come there is not nor can there
be throughout the world q single battle
ship worth having and procurable by pur-
chase; and It seems clear that in a war