JAPAN AND RUSSIA.

Bush Advocate, Volume XVI, Issue 207, 5 January 1904, Page 2

JAPAN AND RUSSIA.

At the present moment the attention of the whole world is being concentrated on the Eastern crisis. In almost all quarters it is now recognised that war is inevitable. For all that is known, war may ere this have been declared. A Press censorship of cables has already been established, and our cables yesterday reported, several incidents that served to indicate that war was about to commence. Speculation ia rife as to the respective chances of the two nations in the coming struggle, and all the information possible as to the fighting forces of the two Powers is being gleaned. Thus, from a recent statement Russia has at Vladivostock and Port Arthur, or on the way thither, eight battleships, from 10,960 tons to 13,110 tons, having a speed of 17 knots each. Japan has a squadron of six ships, from 12,320 to 15,200 tons, with a speed of 18 knots. Russia also has eleven armoured and protected cruisers, the speeds of> which range from 18*7 to 25 knots per hour. Japan has 19 armoured and protected cruisers, all capable of high speed. In addition to the foregoing, both Powers have some cruisers of inferior power, which need not be included. Of torpedo craft Russia has 24 and Japan 39. Russia has five battleships under construction, but these cannot be available for some time. It is estimated, however, that her fleet in the Far East could be reinforced by three battleships and five cruisers of an older type than that now built. The coast of* /.'JfcjJrttT'iß" divided into five distiicts, each with its headquarters, docks, arsenals and barracks. The personnel of the navy in 1902 included two admirals, nine vic?-admirals, twenty-five rear-anmifals, sixty-five captains, 119 commanders, 167 lieutenant » commanders, 220 lieutenants, 305 sub - lieutenants, besides engineers, medical officers, etc,, and 31,683 sailors, the total being 35,355 officers and men. The personnel is trained, as in the navies of Europe, and gave excellent proofs of bravery, steadiness, and discipline during the course of the conflict with China. The chief of the naval command is appointed from the admirals on the active list and is responsible under the Emperor for the operations ef the fleet. Russia, owing to ita geographical situation, maintains four distinct fleets or flotillas, each with its own organisation. There are ten admirals, twenty- eight vice - admirals, thirty - seven rearadmirals, 102 captains, 252 commanders, 1542 junior 'officers, 503 engineers, 702 medical and civil officers, and 162 naval yard officers. The total number of officers and men in the Russian Navy is about 60,000. In regard to the armies, Japan at the end of 1902 had an army of 509,960 men, controlled by 1 1 ,740 officers. All male subjects of the age of 17 to 40 are liable to t military service. In Russia, since 1874, service has been obligatory for all men from their twenty- first year. Out of about 870,000 young men reaching every year their majority about 219,000 are tuken into the active army and fleet, and the remainder are inscribed in the reserve. The lowest estimate of the peace strength of the Russian Army puts the number of officers at 42,000, and of the rank and file at more than 1,000,0fg men, the total number being about 1,100,000. Iv war the total strength is approximately 75,000 officer 8 and 4,500,000' men.