EDITORIAL NOTES AND COMMENTS

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXVII, Issue 8562, 17 August 1904, Page 1

EDITORIAL NOTES AND COMMENTS

As we mentioned yesterday, the cable messages received from the Far East are of a more detailed character than usual, and although there are many points as yet unexplained, sufficient has come through to enable a fair grasp to be obtained of the situation. The Russian plan, as we pointed out, appears to have been an endeavor to effect a junction between the Port Arthur and the Vladivostock squadrons. What the object of the junction' was can only be surmised, but it may have been in some way to create a diversion in favor of Port Arthur, though it was stated that the sole reason for the squadron leaving that place was "because the Japanese were able to turn the interior of the' harbor into a deathtrap." Be that as it may, the first-named squadron came out under the belief that their opponent's fleet was exhausted by the bombardments of the two previous nights. When 25 miles south of Port Arthur, the Japanese fleet, under Admiral Togo, met the Russians, and pursued them eastwards, fighting continuing all the afternoon until sunset. The 'Russians, though thev inflicted some loss upon the Japanese, as noted in our cables of yesterday, were themselves completely deranged, and the battleship Cesarevitch, and the cruisers Askold, Novik, and Pallada, together with some destroyers, fled to the south, the rest of the vessels hurrying back to Port Arthur. The Russian squadron appears to have consisted of six battleships, four cruisers, and a number of destroyers. Admiral Togo reported later that five of the battleships were apparently badly damaged, the pobieda liaving lost two masts, and the Retvisan being liit severail times. Another cruiser, the Diana, is also mentioned in our cables of to-day. The fate of the ships which went south has been explained. The battleship Cesarevitch, upon which Admiral Withoeft was killed, had her engines and steering gear badly damaged, and ultimately managed to escape to Tsing-tau. the port of the German possession of 'Kiao-cliau, where she found the cruiser Novik and a Russian destroyer had already arrived. Besides the death of Admiral Withoeft, 16 of the crew were killed and 45 wounded, so it may well be imagined that the "decks were slippery ■with blood." The cTuiser Askold, which was endeavoring to follow the Novik and the Cesarevitch, and refuge in the German port, was headed off by a Japanese cruiser, and accompanied by a destroyer, ran down to the British port of Shanghai, and seeing that she was pierced by 200 shells and had been struck 80 times below the water-line, to say nothing of the other injuries, it was a wonder that she arrived there at all. As to the Pallada, at the time of writing her fate was uncertain, but after being reported missing from Chefoo, she was said to be lying at Tsing-tau in a seriously damaged condition. In addition to all this two Russian destroyers were reported as being stranded 20 miles to the east of Wei-hai-wei, the British port. Five battleships, one cruiser, and a hospital ship, are thought to have returned to Port Arthur, and the Novik is said to have escaped from Kaio-chau. The Vladivostock squadron appears to have consisted of the cruisers Rossia, Gromoboi, and Rurik, together with some torpedoers. Of these the two former were stated to have been severely damaged, and to have escaped to the north, while the latter was sunk. In this connection Admiral Kataiinura regained some of his lost prestige, for he is credited with the sinking of the Rurik, and his success ■lias been received with enthusiasm at Tokio. It will be remembered that Admiral Kamimura had the misfortune some time ago to allow the Vladivostock squadron to slip past him in a fog, and his failure was a matter of some comment. Such in brief is the story of the latest attempt of the Russian navy to better its condition. It has lamentably failed, and now, in its enfeebled state can be of but little use during the progress of the war. Whether Russia will attempt to reinforce her fleet by fresh vessels from the mother country remains to be seen. But if she does, it is questionable if they would be of much use. There are many points of interest in connection with last Thursday's naval fight ■which can only be cleared up when the full details are to hand. But it is clear that after dispersing and crippling the Port Arthur squadron, Admiral Togo was content to allow one part to get into neutral ports, and the other part to hurry back to their own "death-trap," while he, with Admiral Kamimura, went to meet the Vladivosock squadron, which was also disposed of. For, while the former fleet has been more or less "bottled up," the latter has been raiding the Japanese shipping. It is _ easy, therefore, to understand the rejoicings which took place in Tokio when the news of the sinking of the Rurik and the damaging of the other ships was recorded. It may be that the attack upon Port Arthur will now be vigorously carried on, for by th© victory of last week j the Russians have been further weakened, j while the Japanese have received an in- j spiration which cannot but assist them in the coming struggle.

While it is impossible to give the full list of the ships which took part in the battle, an approximate statement will be of interest. As .mentioned above, the Port Arthur squadron appears to have consisted of six battleships, four cruisers, and several destroyers. Of the Vladivostock squadron, three cruisers are mentioned with some torpedoers. Theni there is another vessel, the Diana, mentioned to-day-. This makes a total of 14 vessels, besides torpedoers, of which ills details are given. The vessels named are as follows : Cesarevitch, battleship, 13,100 tons, 18 knots, and indicated horse-power 16.300. She had a weight .of broadside fire of 35161b. Askold, cruiser, 6500 tons, 23 knots, and 19,500 horse-pewer. Her weight of broadside is 7721b. Novik, cruiser, 3000 tons, 25 knots, and 18,000 horse-power. Weight of broadside fire, 1801b. cruiser, 6630 tons, 20 knots, and 11,600 horse-power. Weight of broadside fire. 6321b. Retvisan, battleship, 12,700 tons, 18 knots, and 16,300 horse-power. Weight of broadside fire, 35161b. Pobieda, battleship, 12,674 tons, 18 knots. Then there is the Diana, mentioned in our cables of to-day. She is. a cruiser of 6630 tons,- 20 knots, and a weight of broadside of 6321b The above vessels belonged to the Port Arthur fleet. Of the Vladivostock fleet the following are named : Rossia., rruiser, 12,200 tons, 20 knots, and 13,000 hoTse-power. Weight of broadside fire, 13481b. Gromoboi, cruiser, 12,336 tons, 20 knots, and 18,000 horse-power. Weight of broadside, 11971b. Rurik, cruiser, 10,940 tons, 18 knots, and 13,500 horse-power. Weight of broadside fire, 13451b: According to Russian advices, the Japanese fleet consisted of 15 battleships and cruiseis and 30 torpedoers, but this list may require to be verified. There names are given as follows: Asahi, battleship, 15,000 tons, 18 knots, and 15,000 horse-power. Weight of broadside, 42401b. Mikasa,, battleship, 15,200 tons, 18 knots, and 16,000 tons. Weight of broadside, 42251b. . Fuji,' battleship, 12,000 tons, 18 knots, and 13,000 'horse-power. Weight of broadside, 40001b. Yashima, battleship (same as Fuji). Shikishima, t battleship, 15,000 tops; 18 knots, and 15,000 horse-power. Weight of broadside,, 4 0001b,. : Yakumo,: cruiser. 9.850 tons, 20 knots, and 16,000 horse-power: Weight of broadside, 33681b". . - • . Kasagi and Chitose, cruisers-, each 4784 tons, ;24lknots,- and. 15,000 horse-power. Weight of broadside, 8001b. • ■ Takasago. cruiser, 4300 tons, 24 knots, and 15,500 horse-power. ' Weight of broadside,. 8001b. ■ ■ AJdtsushina, cruiser, 3150- tons, 19 kmots, and--8400-horse-power. Weight of broadside, 7801b. Idzumi, cruiser, 9800 tons, 24 knots, and 15 000 horse-power. Weight- of broadside, 35681b. ,„■,..* i ' Mateushima, ItenTmhinuy and Hashida*e,

cruisers, each 4277 tons, 16 knots, and 5400 horse-power. Weight of broadside, 12601b. The battleship Chinyen is also mentioned as forming part of the Japanese fleet. The Australian Press appears to be delighted in no less degree than are the people of New Zealand at the result of the colony's football representatives in the match against Bedell-iSivright's combination. As a matter of fact, New Zealand has vindicated the reputation' of the Southern Hemisphere, and incidentally materially enriched many New South Wales speculators who placed their faith in the LMaoriland footballers as a result of Australia's own experiences in the field against them on many fast occasions. However Australia appears to be as proud and as free from jealousy in regard to New Zealand's prowess in the football field as New Zealand has always been of Australia's success against the Mother Country in cricket, and the pair of them are quite satisfied to appropriate the honors of supremacy in the two greatest of British games. It is rather unfortunate that the colony was unable to send a team to give the Australians an exhibition game, as agreed when it was arranged for the Britishers to visit New Zealand, but in view of the fact that several of the bestplayers were unable to go it was thought advisable that the match should be abandoned. The idea, of sending eight- men from New Zealand to combine with seven from Australia, was absurd on the fate -of it, and was not seriously entertained on this side The few matches played with Beidell-Sivright's men', while they prove that New Zealand' is worthy of Britain's finest steel, will also pave the way in lingland for the visit of the team it is proposed to send next year. It is generally considered throughout New Zealand that if the team were representative of anything like New Zealand's true strength it would prove more than equal to the best combinations that could be set against it in the Old Country, and. this opinion is endorsed in a greater or less degree by the individual members of the British team at present in the colony. The matches of the tour have been fought out nobly by both sides, and each event will have historical significance, as all the world and his wife put aside business cares and considerations to view the great trial of strength between the champions from the 'Mother Country and the lusty sons of her southernmost colony. The matches have beem for the most part played in the best of spirit, and the vanquished have ever generously admitted the superiority of their foes and eliminated the possibilities and the "might-have-beens," although some of their supporters, in tiie exuberance of their enthusiasm, have not beem so charitable. The British team will possibly consider their New Zealand tour a failure, because they have been defeated in the only test match on the programme, but they deserve the gratitude of all devoted to the game, for the new life they have quickened in what appeared to be a rapidly decaying sport. The Britishers have lost the New Zealand match, and we trust they will yet lose the "rubber"—indeed we should not bo at all surprised if their colors were lowered by Taranaki and Auckland —but periodical visits must make for the mutual benefit of both countries, giving, as it docs, the opportunity to exchange ideas in the finer points o'f the game. Stoddart's team left a useful legacy after its departure, and Bcdell-Sivright's will probably also leave its mark on the football of the future. At the same time they were able to- improve their own- style iu a marked degree, and the methods of the team at present in the colony in some respects suggest New Zealand origin.