The Hastings Standard TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1904. JAPAN & RUSSIA.

Hastings Standard, Volume VIII, Issue 4150, 9 February 1904, Page 2

The Hastings Standard TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1904. JAPAN & RUSSIA.

From the U'lior of the latest cabled reports, Lrilish and European Press 'opinions, plus the withdrawal of Japan's and Russia s Ambassadors from their respective capitals it is obvious thai now nothing .short, of a mirneie can avert the final act oi one or the otilers oi tiie contestants which wui mean war. At the outset naval engagements must precede any light between land forces, and while we at this distance from the seat of operations have not the latest iiii'oimatiou as to tne naval forces of either Power considerable information is contained in the comparison made of those resources by a naval cot respondent oi the London TimesJapan has six battleships, four of which for ali practical purposes are exactly -alike, whiist the other two do not diner from them very greatly and the six can act as one squadron. The- speed of ail six is identical, and all are armed with guns of the same calibre. The first four, as regards battleworihiness, arc equal to the v.essels of the Implacable class in the British navy. Russia, on the other hand, has eight battleships in Far Eastern waters, but they are of rour different classes, with armament in each ease differently placed. These vessels are stated to be inferior to the Japanese battleships, and in manoeuvring of course, the squadron would be reduced to that of the slow est of its vessels. Japan possesses six. armoured cruis ers, all built between 1899 and 1901, and although oi' three classes, they can form a fine squadron, inasmuch as they are all of the same speed, liav-e large bunkers, and their guns are disposed m the same way. Russia can oppose to tins force, it is sard, ouiy three ships worthy of being classed d s modern armoured cruis ers, and tiie best of these inferior to the Japanese armoured cruisers in everv respect. There are two otTier vessels u.->u;;ii> classed as armoured ceuiscrs, which :lo not deserve the distinction. As regards protected cru isers, Japan has fdur of high speed and well armed, and ten others of a somewhat older type, which are aes cribed as -eminently suitable for scout ing purposes. Russia has eight quite new protected cruisers of high speed, which probably would do good service. There are a number oi smaller vessels on both sides, which ido not call for particular attention. As regards torpedo craft, Japan has about twenty torpedo boats and sixteen destroyers, as compared with rather higher ligures on the side of Russia. The principal contrast which the Rus | sian squadron presents to the .Japa- ' nese is in lack of homogeneity. in weight of mei.i-i, and in protection. The respective naval forces in Eastern waters, as shown by this com-

* Tbe.se numbers are estimated Japan possesses immense advantages over Russia in Far Eastern waters as regards dock aceommooation, she has four well-equipped dock yards, with up-to-date plant at her various fortified ports, which she will use as naval bases. Japan does not, however, possess as yet any armour plate factory, although it is intended to rectify this. Russia, on the other hand, has little facilities in the respects mentioned, and will fiml herself heavily handicapped for effecting repairs. VLidivostock is icebound in winter. Then, as regards personnel, the Japanese oiiicers acquired some edperiencc in the war with China, and displayed great qualities of judgement and resourcefulness, whilst the discipline on Japanese vessels is equal to that of the British Navy. The personnel of the Russian fleet lacks all experience of war, and its training has been ton Jin ed to the Baltic, so that whilst the stuff of which the Russian sailor is made is excellent, he lacks training and experience. Whate\er the final result of the dread arbitrament of war, Japan should in the initial engagements score heavily.

parison are ' Japan Russia Battleships 6 8 Armoured Cruisers •6 3 Armoured Crui«' > ... 0 o Protected t'iiiide;.- ... i 8 Old Cruisers ... 10 0 Torpedo Boats ... -'0 *22 Destioyer.- ... u> *18 62 61