Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27
YELLOW SEA FIGHT
Where the Japanese Soundly
Whipped the Chinese.
FIRST GREAT BATTLE
WAGED BETWEEN THE MODERN
FIGHTING MACHINES.
Japs' Greater Speed and Better Skill In
Handling Their Ships Gave
Them Victory.

Written for The Evening Star.
The Japanese, in waging war against
Russia on the sea. have the advantage Of
being among the few nations of the earth
that have ever practically tested their great
marine fighting machines. To that nation
belongs the distinction of being the first to
win victory in O. naval battle fought with
modern men-of-war.
The naval battle between the Japanese
and the Chinese, fought in the Yellow sea
nearly ten years ago, being the first en-
gagement of the kind since modern war
ships were constructed, will always be
memorable. There had been sham battles
before that but never before had the mod
ern type of warships clashed with deadly
purpose. Naval experts of all the great ma
tons witnessed these events and lessons
were learned that could be acquired in no
other way
Before her victory over the Chinese,
Japan had been subjected to internal dis
sensions over the nature OF her navy and
its personnel that threatened it's growth
and support. Three or four years before
that victory the naval service was attacked
in the parliament and by the press of
Japan. The warships were declared to be
defective, and their officers were denounc-
ed as incapable and as having been select
ed because of family influence rather than
for reasons of merit These charges were
popularity believed to be wholly or partly
true. The project of the vice admiral for
the enlargement OF the navy was rejected
by parliament.
Guarantee of Money Well Spent.
But the victories won by the Japanese
navy proved to be a guarantee of money
well spent on that branch Of the service,
and later supplies were provided ungrudg-
ingly While the japanese had doubted the
of inin nf Iaaf-
questioned the valor of the men who COM,
posed it's personnel. They only feared their
lack of technical skill and scientific knowl-
edge. Centuries of feudalism had infused
into the nation martial spirit that no one
of the nation doubted. All classes were ia.
miliar with the lives of Japans great war;
riors and rulers. The worship Of ancestry
also played an important part in the lives
of the people, as they could conceive of no
greater disgrace than to have their ances-
tors view them from the unseen world with
feelings of shame for their actions.
They did fear that rashness might mark
the course of their warriors. Events in the
war now in progress between Japan and
Russia have been questioned as perhaps
giving evidence Of that rashness which the
Japanese people feared ten years ago Flu
ture events will show whether or not the
japanese, with all their fine martial spirit
and dash, have proceeded with the caution
that should characterize military move
ments. It is said by naval experts that
Japan Is In greater danger in the present
contest than she was ten years ago be-
cause of possible rachness. Then her off,
GERS, dealing with instruments of war that
were untried except In sham battles. felt
the necessity Of proceeding with caution.
The prestige then gained has inspired her
officers with large degree of confidence.
Naval Battle Famous.
The great naval battle Of Haiyang was
fought September II, 1894 It has been the
subject Of many reviews. one of the most
important Of which being that OF Jukichi
Inouye. which was written shortly after
the event took place. and which was char
acterized by its fairness and accuracy.
In this battle the Chinese had two vessels
Of much greater tonnage than those of the
Japanese, though most of the vessels Of
Japanese. On the japanese side were four
fighting ships of more than 1000 tons each,
four Of over 5000 tons and four smaller
vessels. There were the same number of
vessels in the Chinese fleet, of which two
were over 1000 tons. five over 1900 and five
over LOCO tons.
The Japanese feet left its temporary
base OF operations September 10, 1894. con-
voying thirty transports Four days later
they arrived at their destination in Caro-
hne bay, where the flying squadron, con-
ststing OF six men-of-war, covered the land
ing of the troops. When the Squadron
TecouuOitefeu-t Inc iSlanQ OK Halyang and
the mouth OF the River Tayang they ex-
pected to meet the enemy. but did not
anticipate the great battle that actually
took place. The torpedo boats had gone
up the Taidong to assist in the landing Of
the army and the squadron did not wait
for their return.
At half-past o'clock the morning of the
nth the squadron began reconnoitering,
and a little past Q o'clock streaks OF smoke
were seen, which proved to be from the
vessels OF the Chinese It was nearly i2
o'clock when the Chinese heet came into
sight, and the japanese quickly made
preparations for q battle. the. crews hastily
finishing their meal. Upon approaching
the Chinese formed their vessels in wedge
shape. the two big battle ships forming ths
apex OF the wedge.
Japan Gives Signal
At three minutes after noon the Japaness
give the signal for commencing the baxtls.
FoilowIpg that wa4 . signal that firing
should commsncs when the snsmy Game