The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-15

naval matters is surprisingly good. But these results do not at all surprise naval officers. as they have for many years recognized the vulnerability of battle- ships to torpedo attack and have long ago agreed that no worse use can be made of war ships than to keep them in har- boIs and roadsteds when war is imminent and hostile torpedo boats are near. Had the whole Russian fleet in the Far East been Tn deep water and ready for the de- fensive the result might have been diff ferent. In any event. these gallant off, ccrs and men would at least have cheer ed the world with another example of the splendid heroism that must keep green in naval annals the memory of the crews of the Vnriag and the Korietz. Even if defeated the damage inflicted on the Japanese in a general action might have been so irreparable that their com mand of the sea would have been sure u be challenged by the fleets Russia can send from the Baltic.
 It is quite reasonable to assume that battleships are not discredited-by the Japanese least of all It is equally cer- tain an unusual and lnexplicable employ ment has been forced upon them by the first surprise of Port Arthur. Nor has aIything occurred to show that the tor pedo or the mine, though each has its especial value. and not the gun, is the supreme weapon. It may be added in this connection that by an almost general agreement of experts our ships are the best gunned in the world. As proof of this accepted superiority the British Ad- miraty has just taken a leaf out of our rcok and is supplying its ships with much heavier batteries. Admiral Sir John Hopkins and other authorities believe that in battle ships and large cruisers there is no longer room for the 6-inch gun.
 In Favor of 7-Ineh Cans.
 Under the most favorable conditions, the firing rate of the 7-inch pieces. which have weight of metal double that of the s-inch gun is sufficiently ample to make the total relative energy developed in glven period incomparably in it's favor. American officials are. however, not con tent with our present advanced arma- ment. and the tendency of the hour Is to- ward battle ships that will carry twelve 12-inch guae, pair mounted in six tur- rets with no intermediate calibres, but with an adequate array of S-inch rapid fire pieces to stand off torpedo destroy CTS and the lesser gentry of such assem- bHes. Nor Is this ambition without Justi- hcation. especially to those that believe in the eternal gun.
 W.
 The conflict in the Pacific has. apart from the battle ship side, reawakened an interest in the auxiliaries of coast de- fense. It seems to be confessed now that the i'll fated Petropavlovsk was de- stroyed by floating mine of the enemy. This submarine mine, more popularly known as a torpedo, is an old device in coast and har"bor defence, and during the civil war no less than thirty-seven ves- seIs were destroyed or seriously injured by them.
 In connection with this general question of torpedo auxiliaries, Admiral Sir Cyp- rian Bridge. late commander in chief of the British China station, stated in an interview for The Herald a few weeks ago that he read mo new lesson from torpedo boats in the present war in the East My view is there Is only one way to defend yourself effectively against tor pedo attacks. and that is to assume a vigorous offensive. If you go hunting a squadron of torpedo boats they will have