The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1905-11-08
The Naval Lesson
of the
Russo apanese War
BY GEORGE DEWEY. Admiral U. 5. N.

ORE big ships, more big guns and GOOD SHOOTING
Nv are the lessons taught by the naval engagements of the
RussoJapanese war. The American navy needs more
than anything else batteships of $4,000 tons, carrying
twelve inch guns, with a few, like three Founders, for
defense against torpedo boat attacks.
I have changed my mind upon this subject. When the Oregon
came out I agreed with a great many other naval officers that it was
an ideal craft, ready to meet the enemy at each and every range, but
l now realize that the modern battle is fought at a range of three
or four miles, and at that distance your eight inch guns are nothing
but so much dead weight upon the ship. YOU MIGHT AS WELL
BE FIRING WITH A PISTOL. That was what made the Spaniards
so furious at Manila. We picked out our own range, and they were
ashore and helpless.
No, it is. the big ships, such as the English are building, AND
THE BIG GUNS that decide the battle. Then you must keep your
men constantly in practice in the shooting.
1 was utterly surprised at the accuracy CT the Japanese gunner,
and more so by the wonderful control Admiral Togo had over his
forces. 1 have never been in a n engagement wherein we had any
time to watch for signals from the flagship, even if we had been able
to see them, but several times during the battle in the Tsugaru strait
Admiral Togo ordered the firing to cease, and then that one or two
or three guns be fired in order to get the range. So soon as that
was ascertained it was SIGNALED TO EVERY SHIP in his fleet,
and thereafter the firing could not fail to be accurate.
All through the fight the japanese held the Russians at arms
length, 50 to speak, and poured in a telling fire. They had both the
speed AND THE ACCURACY. suppose if they had been fighting
an English fleet the English would have rushed in upon them if they
had had the speed.
After the battle, and when the enemy had been practically
sienced, the torpedo boats were used. They harassed the Russians
terribly with their lower calbcr guns, but it was mostly after dark
AND AFTER THE BIG SHIPS AND THE BIG GUNS HAD
DONE THEIR WORK. I am very sure the Japanese had no sub
marine boats. They used torpedo and mines, but no submarine boats.
have always been strongly impressed with the story told of Won
Moltke. War against France had been declared for two days, yet a
friend coming into his Office found him engrossed in one of Zola's
novels. The friend was amazed, and said so. Moltke waved his
hand toward the maps and diagrams upon the wall, saying, "Thero
is the wal" and continued his reading. He proved to be right.
So we are NOT PREPARING FOR WAR, but no matter which
nation ON earth declared war against Is today the navy would be
ready to meet her within three days. The problems have been solved.
never advocated a general board, but I believe there should be
something of the kind to act in an advisory capacity to the president
and to a civilian secretary Of the navy, who is not supposed to be
familiar with the TECHNTCAI ITTES re +o ,oyv
If you have a general staff, and you give it administrative as
we'll al advisory powers, you get too many officers, each of whom has
the right to issue orders, and in the end there is no FINAL. authority.
UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM WE MAKE SUGGESTIONS TO
THE SECRETARY, IF HE DESIRES THEM, AND he ISSUES THE
ORDERS, AND IT HAS WORKED VERY SATISFACTORILY. IT Is
ALL UNDER ONE HEAD.