The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1904-01-05

maturing in the womb of time-must
in military circles as newspaper strate-
gy. There is scarcely one important
journal which is without theory of
it's own regarding the most advisable
course for both Japan and Russia to
adopt when hostiities break out. 1t
seems strange that Admiral Alexeieff,
have to travel so many miles to ac-
quaint the Gear with Japan's chances
in the event of war. The same result
could be attained, apparently, by ten
dollar subscription to bureau of news
paper clippings. The st. James's Ga
zette Qondon), The Daily News Uon-
dom, and ever so many others, nave
outlined the whole course of war. They
know what Russia will try to do, what
Japan will try to prevent, where the
naval battles will be fought. and the
points upon which the forces of the
Gear will be hurled"
1t should be understood from the
tBrussels), that neither of the COM
batants would be supported by an ally.
Russia would request France to keep
her hands off. Russia understands
that the interference of the French fleet
in her behalf would at once bring the
British fleet to the aid of Japan" Rus
STA has no wish to try conclusions with
the mistress of the seas. But it would
| .lx,x bot
Russia has adopted in the Far East
device long brought to perfection by
managers of comc-opera companies.
This consists in keeping the same SOL
diers moving constantly on and off the
stage of operations with the object Of
giving the unsophisticated spectator a
false idea of multitude. Japan alone
observes the London organ, is not de-
ceived." She is well aware that the
trainloads of troops dashing back and
forth over the great Siberian line are
performances as theatrical as a mobil-
ization of the late Edwin Booths regi-
ments for the maneuvers in Richard
ILL.," Only the Russian navy need enter
seriously into the immediate calcula-
lions of the Japanese, and the London
News presents this aspect of the case
as follows:
Presenting, therefore, that a naval
campaign would be the first develop
ment 1t is easy to see how it would be-
gin. Japan would not attempt to de-
stroy the Russian fleet in the vicinity
of Port Arthur. Her splendid homo
geneous fleet, with it's admirable back
ing of minor craft, is not designed for
such an adventure. Its coaling sapacity
is intended rather for swift movement
close to an assured base than for long
Journeys at sea. Russia would have to
strike the naval blow to prevent the &C.
cupation of Korea by her opponent.
Against such an attack Japan pos
sesses immense natural advantages.
Her great semicircle of lands form a
fender surrounding Vladivostok and the
Russian territory north of Korea. on
the north the enclosed space is COM
pletely shut in during the winter
months by ice. On the south 1T is only
entered by the Korean Straits, domi-
mated by the central island of Tsu Shi-
ma, which is strongly fortified by ia
pan, and is sort of Gibraltar of the
East, with the forts of Fusan on the
Korean shore and the Japanese naval
base of Sasebof and the unlimited coal
supply of NagasaN on the opposite side.
Thus within the Japanese Sea Japan
would be supreme so long as she had
any fleet remaining.
"Nagasaki would be the key of the
situation, and there Russia would have
to deliver her blow. 1t is between six
and seven hundred miles from Port Ar
thur, and without beating Japan mere
and securing a coal supply the Russian
and attack Tokyo and the farther side
of the island, fifteen hundred miles from
it's base.
Fighting the enemy on it's own
ground, amid the immense natural har-
bors and fortified islands west of Kiu-
shiu, the Japanese fleet would have ev-
cry advantage in the struggle
1t may be asserted with confidence,
therefore, thinks this daily that "a
naval battle on a gigantic scale would
certainly arise" and "a comparison of
the navies of the two countries becomes
important" On paper such a compari-
son Is certainly to the advantage of st.
Petersburg, as our London contempora-
ry admits. 1t presents the subject thus:
THE total number of officers and men
in the Russian fleet is about $4,000, and
in that of Japan rather over $4,000. The
warships built or building are as fol-
lows:
Russia. Japan
Battleships Crate - ........ . 4