The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-02-19
Russia and Japan have apparently not ex=

Russia and Japan have apparently not ex-
cited the interest In our country which
they demand. 1t has been the possibility
CT a worldwide CONFUSION which no
doubt has tended to hold back somewhat
the powers Immediately involved, but at
the moment of writing, this New Years
week, the outlook is very gloomy. The
politics in question are beyond the prov
ince OF this paper; 1T would be an i'm
propriety on the part Of the writer to deal
with them. It is proposed to give merely
a summary OF existing nave conditions,
such as are patent to any one who chooses
to read the literature of the subject, with
out any attempt to pass Judgment upon
them.
In the event of such a war, 1t needs no
words to a%ccentuate the Importance of
command of the sea. Should this fall to
the japanese, 1t would mean the blockade
of Russia's Asian ports n the limita-
ton of her lines of communication to her
newly constructed railways. It would be
open to Japan to Invade Korea and Man
churia. The worst, however, which could
happen apparently to Russia would be
the loss of control of M%anchuria and a
halt to her aspirations in the east. Should
Russia control the sea, there would be
more than a reversal Of such a situation,
Japanese ports would be subject to block
" olLo AkAS oAAe AN ~ 3S~SAA ~
invasion. Sea power is thus, as 1t SO often
has been, Of primary Importance. In this
paper only that is dealt with now in the
probable theater Of action-the far east.
The Fighting Ships.
The fighting ships (by which is meant
those which can both give and sustain
hard knocks, and which are now face to
face, are on the Russian side eleven, seven
of which are classed as ba%ttleships and
four as armored cruisers. The seven bat
t1eships are from 0,960 to 1910 tons;
three of tho armored cruisers are from
TO- 1928 to 1884 tons and one of 1880. On
the Japanese sid are seven battleships,
six Of which are from 1857 to 15,443 tons
and one of 1885. There are six armored
cruisers from 9,456 to 9.a06 tons. The fight
ing force sums up 1851 tons Russian to
1852. 493 Japanese. Also there are twelve
Russian torpedo-boat destroyers and six
teen torpedo boats against Japan's nine-
teen torpedo-boat ~destroyers, thirteen tor
pedo boats first class C2o to LEO tons),
thirty-s!x second class $50 to 80 tons), and
~twenty-seven third class Gao to IS tons).
Japs Lead in Large Ships.
Consideration must be had, however, OF
the special characters Of the ships In
volved. and fer q clear understanding OF
these I insert the accompanying tables.
The table shows four Of the japanese
battleships to exceed the largest Russian
by z. 1888 to 2,743 tons. Though tonnage may
be taken generally as a rough measure OF
power, 1t must be associated with certain
Qualities Of design, particularly distribu-
ton Of armor, in order that 1t be taken
as in any degree a safe measure. Speak
ing generally, however, all-round eff
cheney. large coal supply, speed, heavy
and well-distributed armor and powerful
armament make large size a necessity.
All these cannot be had In a ship of what
is today reckoned moderate size. The
Japanese Chen Yuen. though Of moderate
tonnage and old design (Stettin, 1850. is
both in protection and armament to De
ranked in the battle line. f. T. Jane Qn
his .Au the Worlds Fighting Ships")
rates her in average value with the Rus
sian Bayan and Rossia and our W
Brooklyn and Texas. The armored cruls-
ers have been placed in the fighting line