The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-07
JAPAN'S PROBLEMS
IN TRANSPORTATION
Mikado Is Well Favored by Short
Distance to the Scene of
Conflict.
BOER WAR IS RECALLED
Boston Herald.

Boston Herald.
Transportation of an army over sea or
land is always a severe test of the re-
sources and intelligence of a nation. 1t Is.
as a rule. more easily performed by sea,
provided the command of the routes has
been obtained; otherwise, it is the most
difficult and hazardous OF undertakings.
To an alert enemy. even when his inferiorfty
on ships is marked, the opportunity Of
making a raid on a transport fleet is ever
open, while on the other hand conveying
ships of war are greatly hampered in their
freedom OF action
Even though the crippled main Russian
fleet is forced TO remain under the guns of
Port Arthur, there are large chances of
interference by the vladivostock ships. and
by tho torpedo destroyer fotillas that
included in the Russian squadrons in East
ern waters.
Japan is particularly favored in her pres
ent efforts, however. by the relatively short
distances from her principal bases TO the
new lines OF operations. Moreover, she has
had previous experience in this point OF
service, and with the Japanese faculty for
organization and administration, there is
little doubt that she has perfected arrange
ments by which the duty will be performed
with celebrity and safety.
The principal questions confronting Japan
are the number and capacity of her trans
porting ships. the difficulties of landing
the troops on the Korean coast and the
anese oficers undoubtedly found it easy
to embark their troops. they seem to
have solved the problem Of stevedoring,
and this will be carried out with system
that has not been surpassed in modern
times
PROBLEMS IN TRANSPORTING.
IT is rumored that Japans transport fleet
consists of forty steamers. but these will
undoubtedly be supplemented by ships of
war. not. OF course. by the armored ships
that are needed for conveys or are dis
tributed as guards on the tanks, but by
other types that can be spared in the pas
sage from Sasebo and Horsoshima to such
ports as Fusan and Masampho. When the
vessels reach the points OF Decentralization,
especially on a coast where the range of
the tide Is so great. the ordinary difficulties
must be crowded at anchorage well off the
island. experienced laborers must be util-
ICED. barges or other craft for the transfer
be employed.
The transfer is not confined to the troops,
FOR that would be easy matter. 1t in
draught animals. field batteries, ammuni-
ton. bridge building and transferring ma
terials. telegraph appliances. food. fodder.
the hundred different kinds OF essentials
and accessories, without which modern
wars cannot be conducted.
Nor does this transport service mean
merely the conveyance of troops and sup
plies At any time the vessels are likely
10 be diverted to other points where the
exigencies OF the campaign may, at a mo-
ment, alter and necessarily disarrange the
best war plans. In this is involved the
vexed question OF coaling. for in order TO
ships. their own stock OF consumable stores
must be kept at a safe minimum.
The problems the japanese will have
TO contend with are not so great as
those the British had to overcome in the
Boer war. though the latter were lucker in
the fact that their enemy had absolutely
no sea power. The distance from South
ampton TO Cape Town and Durham were
such as TO make the transportation OF
troops TO South Africa the most consider
able operation OF the kind in which any
nation has been engaged. Altogether Great
Britain put an army of 10000 into the field
over lines Of communication covering 1000
miles OF sea and land.
EXPERIENCES OF THE BOER WAR.
In the ocean work 1Ss vessels. with an
aggregate tonnage OF 100000 were used in
addition to which must be counted the YES
sells regularly employed in the regular serv-
fee to South Africa, those utilized by the
colonial contingents, and those engaged in
the conveyance OF horses, mules and stores
The grand total, therefore, reached about
300 ships. The work, on the whole. was
done admirably, especially after ii had been
systematized. though examples of gross in
competency In the storage OF cargoes and
IN the fitting and equipment of the ships
were not wanting.
In estimating men, the number of troons.
with their impediments. that Japan is ex-
pected TO land. account must be taken of
her comparative resources, and even il the
transit be unhampered by Russian inter-
ference. OF the somewhat extended period
in which the ships must be at work before
the divisions can be disembarked and
started on their road TO the country
The experience OF the Boer war showed
that satisfactory transport could carry
number of men equal to Is per cent. of
Japan has TO CO. this percentage can be in
creased. but not greatly TO make the
invasion of Korea and Manchuria the
promenade many people imagine it to be.