The San Francisco call., 1905-06-18
DiScredit the Stories of Sub
marine Mines Being Used
In the Sea of Japan Fight
DISCUSS TORPEDO BOATS
Believe That They Are Only
Useful Under Cover of
Darkness in Narrow Strait
BIZ JAMES S. TYLER.
Special Dispatch to The Cali.

Special Dispatch to The Call.
WASHINGTON. June 1.-THE mys-
terry of the battle of the Sea of Japan |
iG sull unsolved. All manner of
guesses have been made by experts and
by the man behind the gun, but none |
has penetrated the steely exterior of |
the japanese bureau of keepine and
maintaining secrets OF how we did it."
The Navy Department officials to a
unit discredit the stories OF submarine
mines and look with considerable ap-
prehension on the reports that have
come from semi-oficial source that
the Russians sunk their own vessels
10 avoid capture.
The conclusion reached by such men
as Admiral Dewey is that something
was lacking in the Russian personnel
and that the battle simply sifts down
70 a question OF making superior use
OF material at hand. The Russians are
believed to have suffered greatly from
oiscord among the crews of the ships
This idea Is strongly entertained
among the navy attaches of legations
Nearly all OF these gentlemen profess
70 believe that the stability OF the bat
tleship as fighting machine has not
been shaken. They believe that tor
pedo-boats are useful only when ex-
ecuting maneuvers under cover OF a
fog or during a very dark night in a
narrow channel.
The result Of the great battle, 1t is
definitely known, will not alter any of
the plans now under considera ton in
the navy programme except in minor
details
There seems to be a growing ten
dency TO bemoan the fate of Chinese
who have TO pass through the ordeal
OF the immigration Bureau. The East
erners do not appear TO be well post
ed on the ways that are dark as the
people OF the Pacific Coast. 1t would
be well that the representatives OF the
coast bring out the fact that California,
Oregon and Washington have no par
ticular objection TO the entry of the
legitimate student and merchant class
Of Chinese and at the same time ex-
plain that the repeated frauds by Chi
nese on the immigration Bureau at SAN
Francisco have made the people of the
West suspicious of Chinese certificates
Undoubtedly the desire of the Pacific
Coast people in the matter of Chinese ex-
clusiOn is misunderstood. Certain legal
bars have been erected in the strenuous
efforts TO keep out the Objectionable
coolie that leaves no alternative for the
immigration officer when it comes TO rul-
Ing on the case Of the merchant" Posi-
bly,, so say those who support the coast
demands, there may be a moderation OF
the law as now applied with a view TO
giving the freedom Of the country to edu-
Gated Chinese. But at the same time they
admit that the abuse of the Chinese GER
tificate' has been so great by the Chinese
people that an amicable adjustment Of
the matter, which Will admit of the pla-
eating Of China by giving her a greater
field for the operation of the unscrupu-
lous among her people, for whom she
really has no moral responsibility, is good
ground for combating a proposal to
<I-cv 11x 7cf
Chinese immigration.
In response TO an invitation from the
Secretary Of the Interior, indorsed by the
Department Of Agriculture a meeting
has been held in Washington which will
have far-reaching influence in solving
many vital economic questions. The
meeting was a conference between proIni-
nent engineers and officials Of the Geo
logical Survey and the Bureau of Forest
~ on the problems connected with the
testing Of structural materials, such as
stone, cement and timber. In the test
ing OF the character. durability and
strength Of these materials. as well
coal, the Geological Survey and the Bu-
read of Forestry are outlining very ex-
tensive programmes Of work. In this
work the cooperation of the practical
users Of these materials is much desired
and has now been secured.
rise a continuous advisory body to work
with the Geological Survey and the Bu-
reau OF Forestry in the conduct of their
official tests. 1t will also mean that in
advance Of any tests these bureaus Will
have the benefit Of the suggestions and
advice OF the foremost engineers of the
country in special lines OF work. il is the
first time IN the history of our Govern
rnent that such cooperation has been ef-
fected although the plan has long been
In use in European countries
California may break the asphalt
trust But this will not happen until
the Panama canal shall have been built
The controversy between Bowen and
Loouis he's called attention to the fact
that in the West are as good asphalt
fields as ever msde Castro peck Of
trouble
The freight question is all that stands
between the smooth. clean sidewalks
of the Eastern cities and the California
asphalt market. Railroad transporta-
tion is 200 expensive to adn1it of COM
petition with Venezuela and trans
fsthsnian shipments can rot be handled.
When the Panama canal is built Ven
ezuela will have a strong competitor in
California There will then be no ne
cessity to fIgu-e OF the long haul
around the Cape Under present con-
ditions there is little margin liz the
handling of the product by rail or
steam. The raiirood companies could
not in justice TO themselves make Il