New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-16
WAR VIEWS OF EXPERTS.
Sinking of the PetropaUloUSk P,sS-
sling affair. #%
TrroM THE TRIBUNE BUREAu.l


washington, April 15-The conflicting reports
from the Far East furnish IittIe aid to naval
and military experts here in reaching satisfac-
tory conclusions regarding the causes OF the
sinking of the Petropavlovsk. They would like
to know, for instance whether or not there
had been an engagement and IN what proximity
were the two opposing forces when the destruc-
ton OF the Russian battleship occurred. Naval
officers place no dependence on the theory OF
attack by japanese submarine. So far as IS
known in the Navy Department. neither govern
ment possessed q submarine boat. II would be
important to know II the Russian ship was sunk
by that means 1t would serve as the first de-
monstration OF the practical value Of the type
IN an open sea encounter. It would be OF great
advantage, too, II something could be- known
Of the effect OF the explosion which destroyed
the Russian vessel. whether It was wrought by
q submarine attack. torpedo fire or collision
with q mine
In view Of the comment on the Missouri dis
aster and the talk OF lack OF trained men and
experienced officers some OF the department
officials point to the misfortunes OF the Russians
the best sort OF evidence that the navy OF
that country has contented itself with theoreti-
cal instead OF practical work. II the ship was
destroyed by Il Russian mine. 1t would seem TO
afford an illustration OF incompetent handling
at critical moment IN evolutions Officers
here are awaiting with the keenest interest fur
Their advices, not only as to the details OF the
sinking Of the Petropavlovsh, but TO the effect
Of the disaster Russian sentiment and nerve
The information from Toxic and St. Peters
burg indicates that limited advantages Of OBJ
servation viii be afforded to American military
attaches IN Manchuria and Corea- This gov
eminent has been informed that none OF the
foreign representatives authorized to witness the
operations Will be permitted to go on board the
Russian or Japanese ships. A request for that
privilege has been denied. somewhat to the dis
appointment OF the officers concerned. The at
titude OF the Russians and Japanese in this re-
spect Is sustained by good precedent the
practice of the United States in the war with
SPAIN when applications from foreigners to go
on board the ships at Santiago and elsewhere
were uniformly rejected. Whether the attaches
will have opportunities for unhindered observa-
ton on land remains to be seen There Is an
impression that the military experts with the
troops will encounter many restrictions In their
work.
An interesting declaration to-day from the
Gar relates to the attitude OF the Russian gov
eminent toward neutrals, In the form OF news
paper correspondents, who employ wireless
telegraphy IN transmitting the results of their
observations. officers here have not appreci-
ated that particularly valuable OF accurate in
formation was being received by that means
but the announcement OF the Russian AnIbassa-
dor in Washington that such correspondents
would be regarded as spies conveys the impress
sion that the Russians have been seriously en-
barrassed by information getting out IN this