Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-30
SCENE OF THE VICTORY
DESCRIPTION OF THE STRAITS
AND OF THE ISLANDS AND ROCKS.

No better battlefield could have been de-
sired by Japanese naval commander than
that where the victory of Tsushima was
won by Admiral Togo. The japanese fleet
was in its home waters, with its chief bases
close behind it.
OF the various strategic plans for meeting
the Russia armada obviously the most pru-
dent was to await it's onset in the narrow
waters lying between Japan and the main
land of Asia. No hostile fleet could escape
detection in the straits, only twenty-five
miles broad on either side of the Tsu Is
lands. which lie fairly in the midway chan
mel into the of Japan.
This sea is about 800 miles long and coo
! miles east and west at its broadcast part.
The Korea strait or strait of Tshushirna
connects it with the China sea, Il straight
run across which brings a vessel to Shang-
hal and Woosung, where Rojestvensky :
fleet was reported to have rendezvoused be-
fore the admiral with his fighting vessels
made his last bold attempt to reach by the
nearest route his goal, Vladivostok.
Meanwhile Admiral Togo had concen-
trated his fleet in the straits making his
headquarters at Masampho the sheltered
harbor near the commercial port of Fusan,
which before the war was place the Rus
slams themselves sought to possess. The
numerous bays and inlets of the Korean
coast as well as the sound of Tsushima in
mldcnannel ana SlllElOHOSeKl ana OlneG mar
| bors of Japan round kinShiu, her southern
most island all provided the best of shelter
| for Togos ships thoroughly known to their
officers and crews, since the standing squad
rons have been kept for ten years in an
almost constant state of mobilization, While
nothing could be better adapted for opera
lions of the torpedo mosquito fleet and the
new destroyers which Japan has been con-
structing during the last twelvemonth.
The advantage derived from these useful
auxiliaries to Togos battleShips and great
cruisers against the Russian ships. though
these were equally well equipped with guns;
and modern machinery, but inadequataiy
protected by screen of smaller craft, can
hardly be oVerestmated.
Start Of Battle.
At the entrance of the Sea OF Japan, off
| the coasts of Korea and Japan, respective
ly, lie the islands of Quelpart and Goto.
Both are of volcanic origin having con-
spicuous mountain heights, from when
! ships can be deserted far out to the
There are nine principal islands in the Goto
| group, which run for fifty miles in a north
| easterly direction, and which the Russian
| ships would keep well away from, owing
| To the dangerous channels adjacent.
Togo's scouts, already informed by wire
less messages of the approach of Rojest-
VenSkys feet, saw the advancing vessels
on Saturday morning and Togo set his fleet
| in motion to accept the desperate challenge.
The western channel or the Korean STRAIT
| is known as the Broughton channel. the
| eastern as the Krusenstern. 1t Is not as
yet clear whether Rojestvensky kept his
| two columns together, but the fight went
| on along the forty or fifty miles of the
| channel along the coast of the Tsuchima.
| There had been heavy fog, but the mfsts
| lifted and bright sunshine prevailed. From
| April to June northerly and northeasterly
winds generally blow. with occasional
southwest winds and Gains. The south
west winds bring moderate and fine
wea Their. On the west coast of Japan fogs.
| though not so prevalent as on the east
coast. occur during the summer months,
| increasing in frequency and density as
| Tsuge.ra Strait is approached. These fogs
| begin early in May, but are likely to be
| met with at any time. Typhoons generally
occur from July to October. Along the
| coast the fegs form in detached banks