The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-29
NO GREAT SEA BATTLE.
Japan Thinks Russia Win Not Risk

Tokio. Feb. 2s.--As the campaign pro-
 gresses 1t seems that the chances are
 growing simmer for great pitched bat
 tie on the open sea between the fleets
 of modern battleships which the world
 10 . long awaited.
 It Is believed here that the Russians
 lack the strength to assume the offen-
 sive and that they will probably stick
 to Port Arthur to await a sea and land
 investment. Whoever wins the war.
 Port Arthur will cease to be an important
 base The fortihcations will probably
 be dismantled, as they are small and
 cramped and, however many guns are defending 1t. it Is thought they are in- capable of insuring protection. It is estimated that the Russians have 200 guns mounted at Port Arthur. making it theoretically one of the strongest forts in the world.
 In regard to the opening of wiju. for which United States Minister Allen has long been pressing. it has been decided to await the formal announcement of the Japanese whose influence is now doni- nant in Korea. Japan undoubtedly ap. proved and the incident has a significant bearing on the future of Korea, assum- ing that Japan Is triumphant.
 On account of Admiral Togo's success at Port Arthur the re-opening of the sea to Japanese merchantmen and the re- vival of chipping the government does not anticipate that 1t will have further need for the auxiliary cruiser America Maru and Yawta Maru and they will be disarmed and returned to their own CTS. Nothing now prevents the America Maru from resuming her place on the San Francisco line and the Yawta Maru on the Australian line.
 Tn OrpnaFinO fn1. Ia uyor big fleet of fast auxiliary. cruisers on ac- count of the equality of naval strength between the Russians and Japanese, but 1t is believed that the auxiliary cruisers are no longer needed. It Is expected that other auxiliary vessels will be disarmed and released. The Nippon Yusan Kasha Company are chartering q fleet of British vessels for re-establishing the Chinese coast lines Lack of details of formations, firing ranges and evolutions prevents a full understanding and appreciation of Admiral Togo's tactics. He seems to be endeavoring to accomplish the maximum destruction with the minimum of expo sure. At the outset the equality of na- fighting the Russians under the batteries of Port Arthur made extreme caution es- sential The loss of few ships endan- gered the ultimate success of the Japan ese army, hence the brevity of the en- gagement of February 9, and the avoid ance of the engagement of the fortress.
 The same tactics were followed in engagement and lombard ment These dashes, brief battles, speedy are a novelty in naval war fare, which warrant the consideration of strateRists. Admiral Togos reliance par on gunnery Is fully warranted by his Kunners clearly out shooting the Russians. He constantly fought at long range. punishing the enemy severely and escaping without serious damage. The personnel of his forces is shown in an- other way by tlfe superiority of officers and men who are anxious to undertake a hazardous duty.
 Admiral Togo's ships are in better con- dition than the Russian ships. The SCOT Ing of the torpedo craft Is one of the surprises so far. Foreign naval experts say that making every allowance for the daring, skill and persistency of the Jap aneses the Russians are largely to blame for a lack of watchfulness and poor marksmanship.