The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1904. THE WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 36, 11 February 1904, Page 4

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1904. THE WAR.

For the cause that lacks assistance. For the wrong that need* resistance,. For the future in the distance, And the good tliat ice can do.

<• The news from the seat of war is already more sensational than even the most imaginative outsider would have ventured to predict. The cables we have received are, of course, liable to subsequent modification; but making all reasonable allowance for the inconsistencies in the reports, we conclude that Japan has already struck a heavy blow at Russia's naval strength, and has succeeded beyond the mosjt sanguine anticipations of her friends and allies. It was known thnt a powerful squadron of the Russian ileet was concentrated in Port Arthur under the gtTns of the fortifications, defended both by their artillery and by the dangerous entrance to the harbour. Towards midnight on Monday last a Japanese squadron of 17 vessels, including at least six battleships and four firstclass cruisers, crept in the darkness into Port Arthur and attacked the Russian fleet. The Russians appear to have been taken completely by surprise, and the Japanese were able to inflict serious damage upon them before any effective resistance was madp. Two battleships, the largest and most powerfully armed vessels in the Russian squadron, were torpedoed, and apparently beached to save them from sinking, and a first-class cruiser was either sunk or put out of action. These ships appear to have been steaming into the harbour, quite unaware of the presence of the Japanese fleet, when they were attacked: and this account is consistent with the description of the Russians as taken unawares. They are. said to have been strangely apathetic, and =ecm indeed to have been almost paralysed by the energy and dash of the assailants. Next morning, according to Admiral Aloxeiofl", the attack was relieved, and another battleship and three- protected cruisers were disabled. The Japanese seem to have held their ground in the harbour till the Russian fleet was thoroughly on the alert, and then, probably finding that their work for the time was finished, steamed off towards Tahenwan. On Tuesday further fighting took place on the other side of • the Gulf of Pechili, outside Chemujpho. Here the Japanese torpedoed it gunboat and disabled another cruiser. It would thus appear that within the short space of a night and a day the Japanese fleet has seriously damaged three line of battleships, four protected cruisers, a destroyer, and a gunboat —a success which is certainly de.cisive enough to encourage the most sanguine hopes of our gallant allies. We know nothing of the injuries sustained by the Japanese in thi-s daring ..•-id upon a harbour which the Russians believed to be impregnable. According io the "Colombia's" account of the light, the Japanese fleet retired "apparently unhurt.' . As they chose the time and conditions for Cue attack they would certainly fare better than the Russians, who have suffered a most serious loss. The effect of a torpedo upon a warship is, as a rule, immensely destructive, and it is probable that the harm done to the disabled cruisers is quite sufficient to rob the Russians of :heir services for some time to come. Apart from the battleships the absence of 'the fast cruisers Askold and Varyag will be severely felt; and the Xovik, a destroyer classed as a cruiser, and capable of steaming 25 knots, would have been invaluable in guarding the Russians from these surprises. But the ■Material damage inflicted in this opening scene of the war is of small importance compared with the strategic advantage tha.t it gives the Japanese. Thoy now stand between the Vladivostok and Port Arthur squadrons able to prevent their junction, and 'to fight either when it suits their purpose. Moreover, our English cables indicate that in the opinion of British naval experts the effects of this initial victory may be very far-reaching. The "Pall Mall Gazette" considers tha.t the position of the Russian fleet in Port Arthur closely resembles that of Cervera's illfated Spanish squadron at Santiago. It is certain that if they force their way out to fight the Japanese on the open sea, they will be liable to be attacked at a disadvantage precisely as Cervera's fleet was attacked; and the superior naval skill of the Japanese, combined with the enterprise and gallantry they displayed ten years ago at the Yalu, and now again at Port Arthur, should ensure a decisive victory. Without committing ourselves to an over-confi-dent estimate of their success we can fairly say that the events of the last three days have inclined the balance of naval power very decisively in favour of Japan.