Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-06-08
Tooo's VICTORY.

victory OF Japan over Russia. achieved
early last week in the Corean Straits,
came Unexpectedly. The world
probably Russia herselt-anticipated
such an outcome. A Russian victory,
while considered possible, was deemed
altogether unlikely. 1t was a torlorn
hope that, in Russia's opinion. had to
be tried, so urgent was the crisis, but
nothing more. The mere chance that
by some turn Of events Roiestvensky
might win, or so cripple his adversary
as to give Russia even ultimate con-
troll OF the Eastern seas was iustidca-
ton enough for stalking the issue, as
Russia regarded it.
Nothing but some lucky chance or
rare stroke Of genius could have given
the Russian admiral victory in this
battle. He was fighting with every
manifest disadvantage interior
land poorly balanced fleet; at the end
OF q voyage the longest ever under
taken by war squadrons; with no OPP
portunity to reft or prepare for the
fray; with raw and undiseiplined
crews; the necessities requiring that
he meet an enemy on seas OF the lat
ters own choosing. who had full
knowledge of his movements, while
be was in ignorance of theirs: whose
sailors were veterans OF several hard
sea lights; whose vessels had been
fitted to the hour; and who fought
within sight OF their own shores, at
once a haven and a defence. In our
opinion, it is altogether to Rojestvens-
ky credit that he was able to assem-
BILE his squadrons, proceed so far and
put up as good a fight as he did
1t was no difficult feat Tor Togo to
meet him IN the Tsushima passage
spot doubtless prepared Tor his recep- |
ton months ago. The Russian fleets
objective was known to be Vadivos-
tok. To reach this port, the Japan
Sea, between Japan and the mainland,
had to be entered and crossed. This
sea is almost land-bQund, Only a few
passages lead to it from any direction,
and all within easy reach of the fleet
that commanded it. Rojestvensky
was approaching from the south. His
extremity, bis shortage OF fuel and
supplies made it altogether likely that
he would try the direct passage, rather
than the roundabout one to the north.
Even had he tried the latter, Togo, /
sure to be warned, could have fore
stalled him by taking the inside route.
1t was all very simple proposition
for the japanese to lie in wait just in
side the two narrow southern en-
frances until warned by scout ships
which strait the enemy would essay,
then fall upon him with crushing force.
But because Japan's admiral did the
simple thing does not dlscredit him.
He saw his advantage, and made the
most OF IT, He handled his ships well
In action, and his courageous sailors
did the rest. Sea craftsmanship did
the business The Russians were put
out OF it by the unerring fire Of the
japanese heavy guns, that tore their
great ships to shreds, while at night
The daring torpedo boats carried on
the work The japanese so manuu-
vred as to have the advantage of sun
and wind-no slight factor in long
range firing.
The complete annihilation Of the
Russian fleet was the real surprise.
In former fights, while the japanese
had won, they had never destroyed
their adversary. This time they did.
so completely as to leave only scat
tered fragments that can never be
counted on for service again. it gives
them absolute, indisputable possession +