The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-10-23

ing constructed, and work on these
monster war craft is being pushed day
ana night. learn from official sources
mat Japan has purchased in America
$500 tons of armor plate for imrnedj-
ate use, which will be brought to her
naval stations and put on the sides of
the great battleships now being con-
structed.
Japan's Great Navy.
well-informed writer referring tn
the character of Japans navy and the
type OF her vessels, makes this inter
esting observation: 1.-THE main idea
prevailing in their selection is the de-
tense of the national interests by Of
tensive operations against the enemy's
Meet but at no great distance from
the base of operations at home"
Hence the warships of Japan have no
excessive space for coal bunkers. but
more room for guns and reserve am
munition.
One fact, by the way. has been
much commented on during this war.
Japans largest battleships have had
comparative little dangerous service.
Most of the hard fighting has been
done by torpedo boats and destroyers.
In no case have the battleships been
nuch nearer than two miles from the
enemy. The reason for this is the alb
solute necessity of Japan holding con-
trol or the sea. Amy undue or unwise
exposure of her big ships and their
subsequent disablement would have
given Russia an immense advantage.
Had it been possible for the Baltic
heet to come at once to these waters
after war was declared the history of
', the last six months would have been
differently written. Now, however, it
| seems too late.
a View of the Jap Fleet.
Crossing the Yellow sea a few days
ago on the German mail steamer
Gniesenau, when about 100 miles from
Shanghai, the captain on the bridge
| remarked to several Of us below that
the Japanese fleet was off to the left.
We had been watching the smoke and
wondering what was below those fun
nels. The news quickly spread around
the deck, and soon every man had
q field glass to his eyes, trying to
make out the movements of those
| monsters. There were two large bat
tleships and two destroyers, but
whittier bound and on what bellfger-
| ent intent, we could only conjecture.
Quite a fleet has been lowering near
Shanghai ever since the Askold and
| Cromovai took refuge in that harbor
| after the Port Arthur battle. They
are waiting like watch dogs to pounce
down on the Russian vessels il an at
tempt is made to gain the open sea.
The "Blue Jacket" Spirit.
The "Blue Jacket" spirit in japan
has received great accumulation since
the war began especially since the
| brilliant victories of Admirals Togo
| and Kamimara. Heretofore the army
/
equal eagerness for assignment to the
navv.
| Everybody in Japan has rejoiced in
| the success of Admiral Kamimara in
( sinking the Rurik. and running the
other Vladlvostok ships back to port
| He was being severely criticised be-
cause of the transports that were sank.
and the escape of the Vladivostok
! squadron. But since his recent VIC
! tories he has become a national hero,
and shares with Admiral Togo the
| special favor of his imperial majesty.
Recent events at the front have not
materially affected the final result. It
| is not thought that Russia will con-
sent to any cessation of hostilities
until she has somewhat recovered her
former military prestige. By drawing
her enemy into the interior, and wait
ing for the SHOWS of winter, she hopes
to turn the tide of battle in her favor
This is merely my humble conjecture,
hut the same view seems to prevail
among those with whom I have dis
cussed the subject. and who are well
acquainted with Russian character and
Russian policy in the East.
Japan the Greater Sufferer.
My own opinion is confirmed with
each new daY in these lands that IL
the war continues much longer Japan
will be the greatest sufferer. She will
exhaust herself whipping the Russians.
As Gen. Joe Wheeler. l believe It was,
remarked concerning the Lost Cause,
I'VE were not whipped, we simply
wore ourselves out licking the Yam
KEGS D."
Japan's chief asset is the ardent pa
triotism and undying loyalty of her
people. They will suffer anything for
the nation. but their resources have a
limit, even II their patriotism is I'M
dying. II Is estimated that the war is
costing Japan million yen very day.
How long she can bear this tremend-
GUS expense Is the problem. Every
friend of the heroic little people ought
TO pray for peace Warfare Of older,