New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-11
ALL PRAISE JAPAN.
Na0al Officers Surprised at Russian
Unpre 9aredneSs.
rrror I'm rE1nrxE pUnrAu.l

washington. Feb 1O-Sspans two naval VIC
tories wers oihcussed with keen interest by
naval officers IN Washington to-day. They re-
enrded Il al impossible TO compare the oeteat
81 TIE Russian ships ct Port Arthur or Chemui-
20 with anything IN the experience OF the Uni'eo
States N the war with Spain Every oae hao
something 70 say IN admiration OF the nerve
and intrepidity OF the japanese, and IN equal
measure OF criticism OF Russian inactivity and
unpreparednsss. OflceB saw nothing 70 e1-
ouse IN this unprotected condition % the Rus
s.sns and had no sympathy with the naval at
sach6 OF the Russian Embassy, who, IN CONVEX
eation last night with American friends, found
fault with the japanese for striking blow IN
the dark before war was declared The Arneri-
car sentiment was entirely IN favor OF the
rrouptness Of the Japanese. justified by the
knowledge that their supreme strategy was IN
the direction OF quick. sharp blows. Ofcers
could not help expressing surprise that the
Russians were caught so hopeiessly mapping at
the critical moment Even those who had en-
loved opportunfties TO see Russian ships and
meet Russian officers could not understand no"
the japanese ships could accomplish so much
damage with SO little show OF resistance from
their enemy. The Russian navy IS IN bad
way according TO reports from abroad. The dis
cipline is not wei maintained, judging that FAC
tor OF efficiency from the American point or
view; the service is particularly weak in naval
engineering, and the latest events sustain the
suspicion that the Russians possess little stra-
tegetio ability.
look FOR FIGHTING IN NIANcHURIA.
Naval officers here believe that the japanese
viii from the first continue 10 make the better
showing on the sea. mainly for the reason that
naval battles are determined By the intelligence
-,
az material. which the Russians DO not pos
sess. the equipment Of guns avails nothing II
The trained officers and men are lacking. II was
this element which must have counted for
GOOD zeal in the engagements already reported
The zvisezt strategy of the japanese IS TO para
I'VE their enemy on the sea before there Is any
interference with the troops on lailo' ana %
-,orla not be surprising 10 American ohlcers,
who are watching affairs closely. IL one o. 1Lle
next moves OF the japanese Wouia renoeI - -
Arfaur uutenable By Russia. Indeed, II is The
hest opinion among the highest officers IN WASH
ineton that as soon Japan can make the sea
safe for her great feet Of transports troops III
vast numbers VIII be landed south or
C-hu-are within quick striking distance OF the
Russian railway line, and that Manchurla rather
thar Corea viii be the theatre OF chez mnnlaIy
n is too early to derive any lessons" from
che battles with the information so Tar IN hano.
bur there is one demonstration, III a sIruclufaA
way, winch is souaew hat Impressive me -
evitch. torpedoed and beached AT Port AIbnuI'
was designed with a special view TO protecloh
against torpedo attack instead OF lle Us
fornsrv three-eighths Of an inch Of bulkheao. 10
etop the projectiles Of that class, the hOsslail
shin was equipped with protection OF one ana
cne-hslf inches The extra protection was
never regarded as OF much moment by American
naval constructors. and the results OF the Jap
spese attack st Port Arthur show that the doubt
was justified.
VALUE OF ToRPEDoEs.
y anything is indicated by the two actions
thus early IN the war between Russia and ia
nan. Il is that torpedo boat destroyers are des-
tined 10 be Of use and that the submerged tor
-,edo fs q useful weapon against an enemy a.
sea and q dangerous one. Effectiveness OF tor
-edoes IS. OF course. no news 70 American naval
officers. although there recently was some dis
cussion whether the ships now being designed
Tor the United States Navy would really need
that type OF armament
Almost simultaneously with the news from
the East comes the RECOMMENDATION mat tle
American battleships Georgia, New-Jersey ano
Rhode Island BE- equipped with the subnersea
torre6o tube ana that the force q torpedo DoaI
eestroyers be increased Russia was prouo OF
her feet Of these ships, but none OF them seem
20 have been available when needed most Lnat
as regarded as IN Indication thar The Russians
WI not be equal 20 the demand on them, for,
their ships have already fallen before that sort
~ warfsre.
There were some inquiries to-day among naval
officers as 20 the recuperatiVe powers 81 the
Russians. for 81 was recognized that that coUn-
fry must be able 10 Improve IN order 20 con-
tinue activities against the japanese. There
do not appear 70 be many facilities either IN
5rydccks or machine shoDs az Port Arthur. al
though there may be the means OF repairing
minor damages 70 Russian ships. Or course,
The dock yards az Hong Kong are closed. that
being neutlsl port, 10 the Russians and the
japanese.