The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-15
MONDAY. AUGUST Is. 1904.
Japan'S Naval Victories.

Events have been moving rapidly
in the Far East during the last few
days, and the accumulation of Rus
sian misfortunes eliminated on Sun
day in a great naval battle in the
Strait Of Korea between the second
airy feet under Admiral Kamimura
and the Russian Vladivostok squad
ron, the brilliant raids of which have
been so disturbing to Japanese in
terests during the last few weeks.
The Japanese victory, which re-
suited in the loss 20 Russia of the
magnificent cruiser Rurik, coupled
with the scattering of the Port Ar
thur fleet by Admiral Togo after the
sortie Of the Russians on Wednesday,
has puC an entirely new complexion
upon the naval situation.
While it is not possible as yet ex-
actly to estimate Russia's remaining
naval strength, it seems likely that
with the fall of Port Arthur itself,
which can hardly be much longer de-
layed, Japan's complete command Of
the sea cannot be successfully disput-
ed even by the Baltic squadron,
which will not be able to reach East
ern waters for full two months yet.
The essential features of the Port
Arthur affair make the comparison
between it and the sortie Of Admiral
Cervera at Santiago almost involun-
tary; but although the victory of Ad-
miral Togo was neither so brilliant
nor so conclusive as that of the Amer
lean Navy, due credit should not be
denied the japanese commander for
what he did do.
As matter of fact, the difference
between the theoretical fighting
strength of the two rival fleets was
by no means great, and Togo's feat of
damaging and scattering the enemy
without any material damage to his
own force was highly praiseworthy.
Certainly the objects Of the Russians
either to make good an escape and
join the VladivostOk squadron, or at
least TO do some serious damage to
the Japanese feet even though perish
ing in the effort-came utterly to
naught
The japanese admiral apparently
went about his work in the most sys-
tematic fashion, directing his atten-
ton chiefly to the battleships of the
enemy, which accounts for the fact
that so many Of the cruisers succeed
ed in reaching neutral ports. The
flagship Czarewitch evidently receiv-
ed the brunt Of the attack Admiral
Without, the Russian commander,
was killed on her bridge. and her
total losses were nearly 300 men.
The condition IN which the battle
ship reached Kai-Chow with her
steering gear shot away and her ma
chinery SO damaged as to be prac-
tically useless-bore eloquent testi- |
mony 70 severity and accuracy of the
japanese fire
With the Russian fleet thus dis
posed Of and with artillery on Wolf |
Hill in a position to cause havoc in |
the interior of the Russian fortress.
Japan's prospects Of quickly reducing
the stronghold have immeasurably |
improved II hardly needed the com
mand Of the Mikado TO declare that
the campaign at this point would be
pressed with. the utmost determine
ton
Meantime, rains seem 10 have
brought to a complete standstin tho
operations in the vicinity Of Lao
Yang. General Kuropatkin's position
is from all accounts well fortified |
but he must by virtue OF necessity /
watch as an idle spectator the events
occurring south.