New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-15
START OF JAPAN'S NAVY.
HOW AMERICANS AIDED.
Lieutenant Rhoddes, Z. S. n, Tells
of His Work ia East.

Probably no officer OF the American Navy mas
followed the development Of that Of japan with
greater interest than Lieutenant Henry Z.
Rhoades. now on duty at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
for he was officially Identified with the beginning
OF the navy Of Japan as far back as 1908 A re-
porter Of The Tribune called on him YESTERDAY
but he was disposed to express himself guardedly,
because OF his Official position When asked II he
was not one OF the American Navy officers who re-
ceived appointments in 1868 TO aid in the organza-
ton OF the japanese Navy. he replied:
I believe that the credit for the Japanese Navy
really began with the purchase Of the armorclad
stOHeweH Jackson Oater named the AdZunnal from
the construction OF the naval dockyard at Yokoska
was commenced IN ls65. under the SUPERVISION OF
It cost nearly 81 10000. The StonewaH Jackson
Danish Government. and was 70 be known as the
SphynX but as this was about the time OF the
delay in the completion OF the vessel. Den
mark became lukewarm in carrying out the terms
possession Of the Confederates.
She put soon afterward. but owing 70
some arrangement Of the steering machinery she
ran into FerrOl Spain. for repairs. in February,
Niagara and Sacramento. The commander OF the
American vessels allowed the stonewaH 70 escape.
and she went 70 Lisbon and thence across tne A.
lantic 20 Havana Here she Jay until aIter ne
spain to the United States. Later the stonswsil
was sold to japan. and she was sent over there oy
NOV Rear Admirab George BroWn. and deiiversd
at Yokohama in the latter part OF the spring Of
At this time was officer in the Asiatic Squad;
Osaka wsrs Ia been me 20 greatsst activty In con-
nectOn with the revolution resulting from the over
otheT ocers R Command Of omar armed squads Of
sailors. took part IN defending the American L
lowing the assault BY Prince. or Dainio. Bozens
we're quietly observing him and his retinue pass
through the town
a IieYtenant IN The voIu5tSer navy and nephew
I believe. OF Moses GrnneL In March. 1858, Grin
service but his commission did not reach him TN
ia{e IN May t ne t9en dfe sdPs1 70 @ he might
accept offer OF the japanese government OF a
Soos lsb6at 81 SS ated sdes money! S year
His request was granted, and he accepted the ap-
pointment Of Jaoan and remained for about three
years a. ,b ..,. t,,. -. America, rors,, a, f,oro
Gef ra SAME %h6e G se Ras psssed from vas
appointed chief constructor. and TO me was ofrered
reasons 1 declined the Office. but did offer to &C
cept service temporarily. and for two or three
gineer aspirants such instruction as my time would
lions on the stonewaIi Explaining to them the
mechanism Of the engiIeer's department. and the
operation Of boilers, engines, etc, on warship,
and the use OF tools. cannot claim 10 have dons
very much in this small way toward crs ea me
consul gave most valuable services They de-
in other countries. taking with them number OF
bright young japanese TO study CONSTRUCTION arrra
ment and navigation and the general operation OF
1t may be said. therefore. that the Japanese
Instructors and they have gone on steadily in
creasiug their armOred fleet. in addition to build
ing Up Unarmored feet all armed with the best
rihed guns The first Arnored ship constructed
for Japan built the Thames and was
launched IN lS1I about six years before our new
navy was begun. She was the FOO-SO. and had a
contracts were made in England Tor the two COM
posite armor-beted C0rvettes, the kon-CfO and the
Hi-Tei Then in 1855 the Nantwa and the Taxa
chino, built By the Armstrong;. in England, were
launched. They were protected cruisers Of 400
tons displacement and Is knots speed. and were
conspicuous IN the Japau-China war.
To-day Japan Is seventh IN the list Of naval pow
ers with six battleshirs. three coast defence YES
sells eight armored cruisers. fifteen protected Cruis
and eleven small cruisers and guuhOats. with
total tonnage OF 90 $50 In addition there are
boats. Tho battleship Mikasa. completed in 1897.
Is the largest batteshiD IN commission IN the world
having a displacement Of 1870 tons. and speed
OF Isl knots.
Japan's docByards are credited with equipments
equal To- any IN the world FOR construction and re-
pairs. In 1902 Japaus Diet passed n bill providing
FOR the establishment OF a steel foundry at the
kuTa Arsenal for the manufacture or armor plate.
We are inclined often 70 speak OF the rapid ad-
Of modern Japan. but the development Of
the military and naval forces OF the empire has
play am important part IN the politics % Eastern
Asia. she has spared effort and shrunk from no
sacrifice to place herself In the matter OF armed
equipment a level with her possible competitors
The japanese are born sailors. and country with
so extensive and vulnerable a seabOard could IN no
AFFORD 10 neglect its maritime commerce. The
administration Of her naval department has been
the subject Of acrimonious party conflict at times
imperial policy OF a largely Increased naval outlay
4 EhiDbuildnE programme was agreed a few
months ago begin this year the construction OF
four b1ttleships Of l5.t'o tons each. two armored
cruisers OF $3.50 tons each. -FOUR second class $500
ton cruisers. fifteen torpedo boat destrOyers and
df-y torpedo boats