New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-11
RUSSIANS 0UTCLASSED.
British TieJos of NdUaL actions
The Land Tactics.
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Special 20 The Nsv-York Tribuns b. French cAbls)
Copyright: 1904: BY The Tribune Assoeiatioa)
London. Feb. fo-The London press continues
to publish articles by experts on the naval oper-
ations IN the Far East. and fragmentary ae-
counts Of the continued bombardmsnt Of Port
Arthur. the sea fight OF Chemulpo and rumors
OF the capture OF transports and other incidents.
There Is a general agreement that Russla's
naval power was parslyzed by the operations
which placed nine OF her warships out Of ac-
ton. without the loss OF a single Japanese YES
sci. and that the harasslng tactics Will be con-
tinued until the remaining ships are either de-
utroyed or shut up within the harbor OF Port
Arthur. The Russian admiral is sharply criti-
cised for depriving his feet Of the power OF
initiative by anchor!nE in the open roadstead.
but defensive operations were required by the
situation. and Port Arthur was the best point
from which e flank attack could have been
made upon the japanese while the landing OF
troops at the mouth OF the Yalu. which was
the natural strategic point for a campaign. was
going on
The Russians were taken by surprise at Che
mulpo as well as at Port Arthur. and even when
not exposed to torpedo warfare were outfought
at every point British naval officers comment
Upon the advantages ot an attack in naval war
fare. and assert that feet acting on the de-
fensive against a seward feet is doomed 70
defeat They assert that the japanese admiral.
in keeping his feet moving in double column.
with covering screens OF torpedo boats and
cruisers. employed British tactics. and justified
the Admiralty practice Of ordering feet manoeu-
vres. They remark that while the necessity OF
constant gun practice was the moral OF Dewey's
and sampson's victories. the first lesson OF the
new naval war is that torpedo notfliA is
tremendously formidable engine OF attack
The details Of the japanese torpedo attack
are not yet complete but probably the boats
were either Thorneycrofts or Yarrowz. and the
torpedoes were Of either fourteen or eighteen
inches. with charges OF one hundred or two hun
dred pounds OF guncotton-
The japanese Legation received bulletins Of
the victory at chemulpo during the day. but
the Russian Embassy remained In state OF
gloom This Russian excuse for defeat is that
the japanese began war without warning The
Russians themselves crossed the Pruth In 1877
without declaration Of war. and the Germans
acted with equal CELEBRITY In opening the cam
paign with France. Some OF the best experts IN
the House Of Commons consider the conduct of
Japan fully justified by the customs OF modern
warfare. and assert that the mastery Of the art
OF war involves preparation at every point and
promptness in striking decisively.
Dispatches to the London press bring out the
facts that the shell fire Of the Russa1 ships or
Port Arthur inaccurate and the manuu-
wiring bad; that the bombardment had been
without distinctive effect: that the Korietz and
the variag were outclassed and outnumbered
of Chemulpo by the Japanese squadron; that
japanese battalions have landed rapidly in
Corea in strong force. and are already advancing
toward the Yalu; that the Russian army along
the frontier does not exceed twenty-five thou
sand men, including the Cossacks: that 1t can
not be supplied or reinforced by sea at the
mouth Of the Yslu, and that II is likely to re-
treat 20 the railway and draw the Japanese
away from the sea base.
spenser Wilkinson. resuming his military
ticIes in THE Morning Post" assumes that the
war Will be protracted one, and that the Rus
repeat the tactics in the Napoleonic wars and
wear out their antagonists by inland warfare
The action of the Washington government IN
attempting to limit the scope OF the operations
OF the war By securing guarantees OF the intex-
J rtty OF China IL heartily approved by the Eng
Azh prezA L N. +.