New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-06
NOTES ON THE VAR.

Speculation upon the reported battle between
the japanese and the Russian vladivostok
squadron would be more easy and more conf
dent II knew what ships the Japanese have
sent around into those waters But no hint OF
their Identity has been given. We know all
about the Russian ships. There are four Of
them. besides q few torpedo boats. Three OF
them are armored cruisers and one a protected
cruiser The three arrnored cruisers the Gromo-
boi the Rossia and the Rurik. carry four S-inch
and sixteen 6-iuch guns each, and are OF from
1000 TO 1900 tons displacement. The pro-
tected cruiser. the Bogatyr, has nothing heavier
than 6-inch guns. They range from eighteen 10
twenty three knots speed, and have enormous
coal capacity and consequent radius OF action
They therefore uncommonlY formidable yes
sells Of the cruiser class. They could give good
account OF themselves IN a battle with Japanese
protected cruisers. such as the Nantwa and the
YoshinO and would be seriously over
matched ship for ship by the arrnored cruisers
They could not stand against the battIeships
but then they would not have to. for their speed
would enable them TO escape from the latte~
II Is not probable. however. that Japan has sent
any OF her six battleshps around into those
waters. She Is keeping them within reach OF
Port Arthur. and VIII do so until the Russian
ships at that place are finally disposed Of. The
question IS, how many OF her cruisers has she
sent 10 meet the Vladivostok squadron Bear In
mind that she mas SIX powerful arrnored cruisers,
quite fit for dealing with the Russians. and
dozen or more protected cruisers. From such
fleet she could easily spare greater fighting
strength than that OF the four Russians and still
leave a sufficient complement with the battle
ships at Port Arthur.
The Sea Of Okhotsk and the Sea OF Japan are
known as the Smoky Seas. because of the preva-
lence Of fogs-as readers Of Mr. Kipung's ballad
Of The Three SeaIers' will graphically remem-
Der The Sea Of Japan has lately proved It's title
to the name. for the Japanese and Russian
squadrons, the hunters and the hunted, have
passed and repassed each other in the impene-
trabe mist, Apparently the Japanese have at
last succeeded in their quest, and have caught
the Russians away from home in a place where
they could not escape from fighting The four
vessels have not been idle since the war began,
and though they have inflicted no great damage
upon the Japanese, they have been a constant
cause OF irritation and anxiety.
That was a characteristic performance Of the
Japanese, TO refrain from using tobacco and
wine for day, a sign OF mourning at the
death Of their gallant adversary. Admiral Maka-
rolf. Seldom does an army or navy thus honor
the foe Such abstinence from Injuries was
probably not, however severe trial to the
Japanese blueiackets ii would be TO the
naval forces OF some other nations, for the Jap
anese are notably abstemious and sober. Their
saki is innocuous stuff contrasted With the fiery
vodki of Russia.
1t is we'll to bear in mind that ten years ago
the japanese occupied the whole region between
YIng- Kow or New-Chwang and Moukden for
a year or more. They are perfectly familiar
with the lay OF the land" and with every
stream, road, hill and village. Moreover. they
made friends with the inhabitants. who would
now probably welcome them back So when the
invasion OF Manchuria in that quarter does be-
gin il IS likely proceed with ease ana ra-
pidity excepting, OF course. for such opposition
as the Russian army IS able 10 give. japanese
battleships cannot go up the river at 1lns-how
but cruisers drawing not more thah twenty
two feet can do So and thus make the lower
part OF the Lao River All important naval sta
ton as well as a base for the operations or the
army.
There seems TO be ground for Russian anxiety
lest the victories OF the Japanese shall incite in
surrection among the Monaghan and other Ash
attic peoples now under Russian rule we have
already referred to the restlessness or the Man
churians The Chunchus, Manchurlan tribe Of
wandering nlarauders are already on the war
natb In Siberia, especially in the neighborhood
Of lake Rafkal there are other tribes which
have never been well affected toward russian
sovereignty Away over in CenTaI ASIA the
LSbirptses and TIIrkomans are always ready for
a revolt and, though they may care httle Tor
| the Jananese the fact that the Japanese, an
Aian Tsonle are beating the Russians a Euro
mean people may fill them with a zeal to Join
in the work of Kidding Asia OF European rule.
II re even possible that the same spirit may be
ao,,sa5 in india and it may be that II Is partly
70 avert IL that the British-Indlan government
ia sending its armed expedition into TIBET Such
a dispIay OF aggressive force Is the pest possible
Il -