The Goodland republic., 1905-06-16
AN UNPARALLELED VICTORY.

AN UNPARALLELED VICTORY.
When Japan boldly threw down the
gauntlet to Russia, the world wonder
ed at her daring; Russia was the
COLOSSUS Of the North" japan, the
youngest Of the nations 10 be born
into our modern civilization, had not
yet reached the dignity even OF COM
parisOn with the mighty MuscOvite
empire By sea and by land Russia
overtopped japan on every point Of
comparison. Here was the third most
powerful navy Of the world, with a
half million tons Of fighting ships to
command, and the unlimited resources
Of the empire to back it Japan's lit
tie navy, on the other hand, had just
graduated into recognition Although
the foretaste which she had given OF
her quality in the Chinese war led US
to expect that Japan would make a
credftabIe effort, the best that We ex-
pected from her was that she would
ultimately go down to defeat every
thing lost but the honor Of having
fought a brave but hopeless campaign
So the world thought and spoke, as
the curtain was being rung up for the
opening scene Of the naval war, To-
day, after eighteen months Of the
fercest and most bloody fighting Of
modern times. the curtain has been
run down upon the final act In that
brief interval. we have seen the third
greatest navy Of the world literally
and absolutely swept out Of existence
and this BY a modest little navy that
finds itself at the close Of the war as
strong in material and stronger in ef-
hcfency than at its beginning
If Japan had won out with the loss
Of half her fleets, and the battered
remnants had limped home in con-
have been a feat eqUaled but not sur
have been a feat equaled wut not sur
passed in naval history
But that she should have absolutely
annihilated, in pitched battles upon
the high seas, two successive fleets
Of the enemy, and have sunk, driven
ashore. or otherwise put out of action
fourteen battIeships, twelve other ar
mOred vessels, and a dozen protected
cruisers, without any diminutiOn Of
her own fighting strength, is a feat
for which naval history can find no
parallel That her navy is intact can
not be disputed; for her captures and
new construction during the war
about offset her losses
Wherein are we to look for an ex-
pIanatiOn2 Certainly not to any dis
parity in the materials of war, for
the ships, engines guns, and armOr
that the leading shipyards and gun
factories Of Europe and America
could turn out Nor was the distance
of the seat of war from Russia's home
ports so serious a handicap as might
be supposed; for at no time did Japan
make any serious effort to prevent
the sending of re-enfOrcements and
supplies. In the case of the Baltic
fleet. she evidently encouraged its ad-
vance, feeling assured that every ship
that entered the immediate zone OF
war was one ship lost to Russia.
Nor can the result be set down to
cOwardice. The Russian is no cow
ard. He gives place to none in his
ability to fight a losing battle TO the
bitter end. This was abundantly
proved in the battle Of the Sea of
Japan; for the stories of the eye wit
nesses on both sides agree that the
Russians fought with the grim en-
ergy Of despair
The explanation of the result IS to
be found first and last in the Japan
ese people themselves certain
excellent traits Of their character,
many Of which are due to a system
Of ethics that is older than our west
ern civilization. Among these may be
mentioned: Intense patriotism, self
denial scrupulOus honor in all mat
tiers affecting the welfare Of the state;
a keen sense OF duty; strict discipline;
unquestioning obedience to authOri-
ty; absolute unity OF purpose; a firm
belief in the destiny Of their race;
patience and endurance; an absence
OF self consciousness and posing, that
may we'll put our white civilization
TO the blush; a close attention to de-
tail. and lastly, combination of
great prudence and fOrethOUght with
a marked ability to adapt themselves
quickly TO the circumstances Of the
hour.
It was a fOregOne conclusion that
people such as this, being naturally
born to q seafaring life, would render
a splendid account OF themselves in
the stress Of a naval war The ships
were maintained in a high state Of
efficiency. and they were perfectly
familiar to officers and men; the
fleets were accustomed to maneuver
in fighting formations, the marks
manship, judging from this last fight,
was excellent; and lastly, the whole
series OF operations was controlled by
an admiral who must be admitted to
possess the highest qualities OF his
profession in the highest degree.