The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-05-31
Toeo's GREAT VICTORY.

TOeO's GREAT VICTORY.
NIthuugh full particulars are lacking
there is enough evidence at hand to
show that Japan has achieved a naval
Victory so sweeping that Russia may
l.. said to be practically driven from
Tie sea. Russia has one fleet tied up
ia the Black sea, a small squadron in
its European port. and some scattered
vessels in the far east. The last named
vessels may even now be destroyed or
clptured. At all events, they cannot
re further factor in the war with
Japan
The japanese feet, according to re
Ports thus far. received, has not only
e-caped with practically no damage to
is important ships. but has captured
81 number of vessels that, once repaired.
III be formidable additions to its
avail strength Thus Japan energies
f ON the battle with its enemys fleet
destroyed aud its own fleet stronger
t1aH before Tt is doubtful if history
viii show a more complete naval tri-
Umph
The latest engagement insures for
Admiral Togo a deathIess fame. One
10y one he has met and conquered the
hest men and the best vessels Russia
has sent against him. He has not
failed to employ every method and
every device that history or science had
10 offer, and he has shown himself
master at every point, whether he en-
ployed torpedoes, mines or guns, deIiv-
cred night attacks fought in the open
sea in daylight or maintained d cease
less blockade
Part of the credit. Of course. must go
10 the officers and men under him,
without whose trained intelligence. un-
sWeTving loyalty and steadfast courage
lie could not have succeeded. but the
chief credit still belongs to the direct
ing mind that controlled Japan's fleet.
Japan's policy of secrecy makes it i'm
possible for the outside world to know
whether TOgo's engagements were
planned by him or by the combined in
teilects of a naval board at home, but
the execution of the plans were in
Togo's hands. and that much alone is
enough TO fix his place high among the
great sea fighters of the ages
Japan's intelligence department is en-
titled to share in the glory OF the fight
I'm the Korean strait. The outcome
makes it reasonably certain that the
japanese commander was in constant
touch with the Russian fleet; that he
knew their every movement. and was
thus enabled TO select the scene Of bat
tie that best suited him. The world
heard much Of Rojestveusky and moth
ing of Togo after the Russian fleet
passed through the Straits Of MaIaCca
and touched at French Indo-China.
From that time until the battle took
place the whereabouts Of the japanese
feet remained a mystery. It lay in
hiding on the Korean coast. close to
the japanese supply points and repair
stations. waiting for the approach Of
the Russian ships and. at the proper
moment, having been advised by wire
less telegraph, fell upon R0jestvensky's
squadron and wiped it out
II is evident that Togo believed Ro-
Jes1' eilsAy WOULD seek d" early battle,
indeed the russian commander made
no secret OF ms intention Yet the very
TACT lhat ne declared ms purpose Of
hunting Togo led to a belief that he
would endeaVoT 10 slip by to reach
Nladivostok- At the same time It was
hard 10 understand what Rojestvensky
had TO gain by avoiding the fight which
mad to come some time II his trip to the
far east were to benefit Russia The
only advantage would be a junction
Win the rev vessels Russia had Mt
Nladivostok, and that was Offset. At
least in part. by the danger of being
5lockaded at Viadivostok and isolated
from supplies through the cutting OF