Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-07-11
KOw # ali HApplhtD
tXPLANA ION Ut DlSASlIR
- J,rsNtSt lkANsPORIS
ADMIRAL kiMAMuRA'S SHIPS
WERE WORKING IN FOG AND
TOOK WRONG ROUTE
IN PURSUIT.

Yokohama. June 2i.--Admiral va.
mamoto, Minister OF Navy, was asked
by delegates OF the Shimpo to give an
authoritative explanation of the disas.
ter to the Japanese transports. The
Minister told the interviewers that In
order TO make the matter clearer. It
would be proper to explain the circum.
stances attending the unfortunate oc-
currence to the Kinshiu Maru as well
as to the TIitachi Maru and other YES.
sells. He said that the duty OF the
kinshiu Maru was to supply coal, wa.
alter. etc, to the Japanese squadron.
AS the weather was Indictment and the
sea very rough. navigation was diff.
cult for the torpedo craft. The Kin.
shiu Maru was accordingly at Gensan.
At this time the necessity arose for
tho Japanese garrisons at Gensan to
reConnoitro a position on land. II was
deemed convenient to send the recon.
noitering party by sea route. and ~,
navy was asked to undertake The
transport of the troops. When the
sea Is rough. the Minister said 1t is
difficult for torpedo craft to accom-.
pany transports or war vessels. The
danger attending the torpedo boats in
conveying the Kinshiu Maru became
serious. and they separated from her
and took shelter. Owing to the dense
fog. the main squadron missed the
Vladiyostok squadron, the result be.
ing the unfortunate occurrence TO the
Kinshiu Maru. Another point to-
t,h a..
tention in connection with the disas.
tor was the sealing OF Port Arthur. At
the time of the outbreak OF the war.
I the strength Of both navies was near.
| ~ equal. II the Russian squadron
dared to assume the Offensive IL Is
possible that the Japanese squadron
would have suffered considerable loss.
The Russians remained concealed In.
side the harbor. and tho japanese
awaited themselves OF the opportunity
that presented itself. Some persons
appear to ccnsurc the naval authori'
/! tics for essaying the blocking Of the
| harbor mouth at the cost Of so many
lives. The Russians themselves have
sunk two merchant ships at the har.
/ Dor entrance and extended a boom
across the mouth. The japanese have
already carried out three blocking eN'
petitions. and large cruisers and bat.
tieshlps are now unabic 10 clear the
harbor, according to Admiral Togo.
Some people are inclined to think be.
cause the Novik cleared the harbor
that II Is not effectively sealed. The
Novik Is cruiser below three thou.
sand tons displacement, however, and
her case does not apply. There Is no
! DOUBT NJ present that tue passage on
large cruisers Us Impossible IN the
! harbor mouth. But as the rate OF port
| Arthur Is gradually being sealed u Is
possible tha' smail cruisers anu minor
! craft are coming out from ume 10
tmei anu II mas become necessary LOT
the Japanese 10 Keep strict watcn Nv
inc harDor NOUN. Inc principai duty
OF tne squauroh uhder vice huinirai
hahliniura is 10 guard 'susniiha anu
horea Shanhei ana tnc sea pet"ceh
isusnima ana the mainland OF Japan
| win inc oDlect OF preventing the union
Oh the NhdlVos'oN squadron ana tne
fort arthur meet portion OF tne
squadron uhner haniirai logo ana 'ne
meet uhGer vice hunirai hainimura De
ue'acheu anu uctaileu LOT tne convoy
OF transport OF sma'i Dodles OF iand
FORCES, u Is feared mat ,hey may suner
ncohv'nicncS IN carrying OUT the
Diockihs work euectively should me
man onlect OF the navy De missed IN
consequence, inc s,nerai pan OF cam
palsn may De overturned ana serious
results may onsue. Inc Japanese tor'
peu" pa'rol olsco s the hussian
sIuaGron anu rSpor,ea ,ne iact 10 the
SQUADRON anu wee Nonlrai hahlnura
squauron un9'r vice Nunnliai MANI