The Otago Witness, THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2672, 31 May 1905, Page 48

The Otago Witness,

THE WEEK.

KITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SODTHEKN MEHCUKY ' (WEDNESDAY, MAT SI, 1305.)

Tfa« Battle of Tsushima.

?•*•■<]«»■ alia* matara, »itad «apientia *liit."— Jdtb»«,, *co*« aware aid (**d usae man enr j»im."— for*. Ji is scarcely possible to over-estimate the importance of the signal defeat inflicted by Admiral Togo zzpon Admiral Rozhdestvensky in the Korean fitrait-s on Saturday and Sunday last, involving as it does the sinking or capturing Jt>f nineteen ships connected with the Baltic jfieet, including four battleships, and the practical annihilation of the fleet. This factory gives Japan the command of the »ea, and the capitulation of Vladivostock tad the expulsion of the Russians from Jtfanchuria appeal likely to follow in due Sourse, unless, indeed, Russia sees fit to |ue- for peace. The more than seven taonths that have elapsed since the Baltic Jleet, amidst a great flourish of trumpets, . after several "false alarms, set sail for the Far East has been an epoch-making - foeriod. It has witnessed the Japanese factory at Mukden, the fall of Port S^rthur, and the mutterings of revolution jln Russia itself. The Baltic fleet, despite its inauspicious start, and the ridicule and contumely heaped upon it in connection ftvith. the Dogger Bant incident, has always Ibeen regarded as the one factor which inlght possibly turn the fortunes of war In favour of the Czar. If by some stroke K>f good fortune Rozhdestvensky was able jto cripple Togo and thus secure command tof the sea, Oyama's position in Manchuria, iwith his lines of communication cut, would Ibe exceedingly precarious, and the entire Situation would be materially changed. It ~ Is evident that Rozhdestvensky resolutely Set to -work to bring this about. Tie Relays and dallyings, which evoked such Mgorous protests on the part of Japan, fend at one time almost endangered the fenfcente cordial© between Great Britain and Prance, were all part of a policy having Us its goal the bringing of the Baltic fleet tip to that state of efficiency and strength Irhich would enable it successfully to meet fend encounter the victorious Togo. For it has to be remembered that the Russians are not naturally sailors, and that the seven "months' voyage was really the only opportunity granted' to RozhdestvensTry to train his men in seamanship and marksmanship. To this he has assiduously devoted himself, postponing the inevitable battle as long as possible. But in tactics, us well as in gallantry, the Japanese have Rgain proved themselves more than a match for the. Russians. For months past the Japanese, by means of their fast _ cruisers, have been in close touch with the movements of the Russian fleet, whose Strength and composition have been public property, and frequently discussed all over Che world. At the same time the utmost secrecy has been observed in reference to the condition and position of the Japanese fleet, so much so that even at this present sour it is not known whether the rumour of the sinking of the Yasbima was founded on fact, or whether that Japanese battleBhip took part in the great naval engagement in the Korean Straits. From the meagre details of that history-making engagement which are to hand at time of Uniting some idea can be formed of 'Admiral Rozhdestvensky's tactics. He detailed a number of armoured cruisers and colliers to proceed by way of Shanghai, with the view of indicating this as the jprobable route to be taken by the whole fleet. Then with his main squadron he iioldly Steamed to the Korean Straits, southward of Tsushima, hoping by the aid of friendly fog to make Vladivostock without -icing intercepted. Thus he would be able to refit before the inevitable battle. Evidently, however, these tactics were too Dbvious to deceive so old and wary a hand as Admiral Togo, who must have been lying in wait for the enemy. As to how the battle was fought, we have as yet no information, but probably Togo waited until the Russians were well past Tsushima, and then swooped down upon them, with the results already mentioned. It is almost impossible to imagine that the running battle indicated as having been fought in a strong breeze and with a heavy sea, can -ihave passed without some casualties on the

Japanese side, but in this regard the cables ar-e discreetly silent. For the moment we have to be content to learn that the engagement has resulted in a great victory for Admiral Togo. Of the Russian warships sunk or captured it is believed that two battleships have been sunk and two captured, as well as 16 other ships sunk and captured. Of these the Borodino and the Orel are perfectly new ships and among the best battleships afloat. They steam 17 to 18 knots, carry four 12-inch and 12 6-inch guns, and are protected by 9-inch Krupp armour on the water line. They are far better ships than the British Canopus class, and are little if at all inferior to the best British battleships in commission. And yet these formidable vessels, protected and defended by every means known to modern engineering skill, have been sent to their account in theiivery first engagement. Thus this great naval engagement, the first real fight in which modern ironclads have been engaged, is likely to revolutionise the entire art of navy building, besides bringing to a termination the Russo-Japanese War. The battle of Tsushima will provide food for thought and discussion for many months to come, and as the details of the fight come to hand they will be closely analysed and be made the foundation of all sorts of theories. Never have the naval experts had such an opportunity as now presents itself to test the actual value of their carefully prepared data. Once more the truth of the old saw is seen that an ounce of experience is worth a ton of theoiy.

FriroHties at the Front.

The instance quoted by us last week of the ill-timed gaieties of the Russian officers in Manchuria, is strikingly confirmed in a cable just to hand, wherein Russian correspondents are represented as complaining of the luxurious and dissipated habits of General Kourapatkin and his staff. It is stated Shafc although the Japanese cavalry has appeared 20 miles north-west at Kun-tu-ling, the rear of the Russian headquarters, General Kourapatkin is indulging in constant pleasuring with Princess Reuss and otter ladies parading as Red Cross nurses. Whilst Kourapatkin is criticised for refusing to surrender his luxurious train to Linevitchj Linevitch is represented as altogether abstaining from the frivolities going on all round him. This news, however, is so much at variance with all our preconceived ideas concerning Kourapatkin, that we hesitate to accept it without some further confirmation. In view of tne strong feeling that exists between Kourapatkin and Papa Linevitch, it is more than likely that some of the friends of the Saiter General have deliberately set to work t< blacken Kourapatkin's character in order to secure the advancement of their favourite. These dissensions amongst toe Russian Generals, no less than the lack of vital interest displayed in the war by the rank and file, are to some extent to be accounted for by the peculiar national characteristics of the Russians. Dr Rappaport, as the result of many years' experience, sums up the Russian character as essentially feminine. He says :— " The Russian is outwardly imitative and assimilative, but fundamentally miseonistic, and conservative; he is inert, indolent, indifferent, insensible, and submissive. Fatalism and gregariousness, absence of individualism and personality, of initiative and individual genius, a lack of originality, of a sense of personal responsibility and independence of judgment, constitute the fundamental psychological traits of the Russian. Nearly all the defects and even the apparent qualities of the Russian are the result of that small quality of selfsufficiency and self-reliance which he possesses, of his weakness of character, and his continual search for someone upon whom he can cast his respons.bilities. The Russian is thus elastic and changeable in his humour. He is at times melancholy and at times of exuberant gaiety. Although he is hospitable, sociable, and familiar, one cannot rely upon his promise. His will-power being weak, he is impressionable and enthusiastic. This enthusiasm, however, which travellers have so often noticed, is very superficial, and soon cools down. Concentration of the energetic faculties and active opposition are traits generally foreign to the Russian." There is thus a great contrast in the characteristics of the Russ and the Jap. Concerning the Japanese soldiers, Mr F. A. M'Kenzie remarks in C. B. Fry's magazine that they are the cleanest-living and most sober of any lie has known. They have no camp followers, they take very little drink, their diet is simplicity itself, their one luxury being the smoking of innumerable cheap cigarettes. The story is told of General Nogi that when during the Chinese War he was presented with a costly cloak, he sold it for the benefit of the sick, declaring he had one cloak already, and there were many soldiers without any. A Japanese officer would Consider himself disgraced if he took into the field elaborate food or over-abundant clothing. Considered from all points o£ view, the longer the Russian army remain^ in the field the more helpless does theiT case appear. All the while the Russian soldiery have been consoling themselves for defeat by muttering " Nitshevo," Japanese patriotism and the spirit of selfsacrifice have been burning at its brightest. And now that the Baltic fleet has been crushed, the end can surely not be far off.

The Cash Value of a Premier's Promise.

The people of Dunedin have cause to be grateful to Mr Seddon, in that he has solved a question which for long has vexed the minds of the greatest arithmeticians in the colony, if not of the world. Following his speech last Wednesday evening, he devoted a day to receiving deputations, and amongst other matters which engaged his attention was a deputation from the University Council in relation to the Mining and Medical Schools. The Univer-

sity Council so far succeeded in impressing the Premier with the merits of their claim that he practically agreed to grant what they asked, and closed the interview by remarking :— " They had had a promise that they would get the money, and he thought the word of the Government was quite goad enough for the University Council obtaining £1000 overdraft from any bank in the colony." Now for many years past people have been asking themselves what was the exact cash value of the Premier's promises, and it has ever been a matter of considerable difficulty to calculate upon thorn with any degree of mathematical exactness. Now, however, we are assured on the word of the Premier himself that his promises are such that any bank in the colony will not hesitate to honour them with an overdraft. This in view of the coming election is exceedingly sensible, and should help to considerably improve the chances of the Seddon Government returning to power. During his brief sojourn in Otago, Mr Seddon has been showering promises upon all classes of the community with a liberality which is quite marvellous, and he is backing up these promises with a flourish of a surplus of £761,000 and a balance to the credit of the Public Works Fund of £871,000. Surely with such sums of money at his disposal, the Premier's promises should represent a substantial cash value in the eyes of the electors. The .Premier's promise to the old age pensioners is of an increase in their pensions of from 7s to 10s per week, iiivolving the provision of an additional £80,000 ; the promise to the public school teachers is of an all-round increase in salaries., and the starting of a superannuation fund; out of the Public Works Fund the expenditure on xoads and railways is to be increased by £500,000, in addition to which there are all sorts of visionary projects in the shape of generating electric power, irrigation schemes for Central Otago, money to be spent in prospecting, and what not. In brief, Mr Seddon's electioneering cry to the people is, " Open your mouth and shut you eyes, and see j what I will give you." Now it is beyond I dispute that each and all of the schemes ! outlined by the Premier for the betterment of the condition of the people and for the development of the resources of the colony are deserving of consideration, and in the long run will doubtless come to pass. But is it not dangerously like crowding on all sail reckless of consequences that, on the eve of a general election, the Premier should scatter Ms promises broadcast in this prodigal fashion ? " Magnificent j promises are always to be suspected " says Theodore Parker, and the very magnificence of the Premier's promises bring them at once under suspicion. Mr Seddon must surely during his recent attack of illhealth have been studying "Ovid," especially that passage which say§, " Take care to promise liberally, for what harm is there in promising? Anyone can be rich in promises." The Talmud has it, "He who promises runs into debt," whilst Alfred de Musset exclaims, "It is easy to promise, and, alas, how easy to forget." Disguise it as they may, Government supporters have no reason to congratulate themselves upon the impression produced upon the people by Mr Seddon's Dunedin address. Mr Seddon came to Dunedin for the express purpose of replying to the criticisms levelled against his Administra- j tion by Mr Massey and other Opposition J members, and his audience gave him a fair and patient hearing. But, in spite of all the efforts of his particular following to give the gathering a semblance of enthusiasm, it was evident that the Premier did not carry the crowd with him. His speech, while clever and, at times, amusing, was far from convincing, and the old tricks, of which Mr Seddon is such a past master, failed to score as in the past. For arguments he employed pleasantries, his facts and figures were confused and confusing, and he certainly did not succeed in removing the impression held by a considerable number of those present that a change of Administration would be the best thing that could happen the colony. A paper surplus may serve to dazzle the unwary, but its genuineness is open to serious doubt. The manner in which Mr Seddon replied to Mr Bedford is sample of the trend of the entire speech. Mr Bedford seriously advanced four reasons wny the Seddon Administration should be ended. Mr Seddon, instead of setting himself to reply to those criticisms, contented himself by remarking that the senior member for Dunedin was a young man, and talked some rubbish about sending him. to " a sweetie shop." The clear intention was to bring Mr Bedford into ridicule by treating him as a joke, but such methods will only lead men to suspect the weakness of a case wiich needs to employ them. Similarly, Mr Seddon, who, when in Dunedin, carefully avoided such a delicate topic as the Shops and Offices Bill, gave full vent to his ideas on the subject when in the wilds of Otago Central. But, then, this is quite on a par with the Pahiatua speech incident, which, although quoted over and over again by Opposition critics, has never been either refuted or defended. A question of very considerable importance to the whole colony has been broached by the miners of St. Bathans in the message which they forwarded last week to the Premier at Omakau. It was represented by them that a judicious expenditure by the Government in aid of the cost of prospecting country that is known to be auriferous would not only result in the immediate provision of employment for numbers of old miners in portions of the colony where they have made their homes, but would probably lead to important dis-

Mr S«d<ion's Dnnedin Address.

Prospecting Grants. •

c overies and to the development of an asset of immense national value. They | particularly suggest that the bed of country which extends from St. Bathans to Clyde along the base of the Dunstan I Range offers a suitable field for pros- | pecting effort, and they believe that if a supply of water were assured— and they suggest that Thompson's Gorge furnishes an ideal catchment area— it might reasonably be expected that handsome yields would be obtained. The appeal they make is one which, we cannot doubt, will strike a responsive chord in the breast of the Premier, whose sympathies have always been with the mining classes, and it has been made opportunely, for it was not many weeks ago that Mr Seddon, speaking in another part of the colony, expressed the opinion that the time had arrived when more money should be spent by the State in prospecting work. It would certainly be a rather difficult matter for any Government that professed to be rendering assistance to prospecting parties to expend less upon this object than has been spent in the past few years. When the Minister of Mines was addressing his constituents last week he devoted a good deal of attention to a recent speech by Mr Herries in which the Administration had been attacked for having starved the mining industry. If what Mr Herries said had reference to the expenditure upon grants in aid of prospecting he only required to quote the Government's own returns to show that the assistance it has afforded the industry in this respect has been veiy insignificant indeed. For the past five years, as a matter of fact, the largest amount expended in any one year in subsidies to prospecting associations and parties of miners recommended by local bodies was £1509. Not only Mr Herries has had reason to complain of the meagreness of the Government expenditure upon this object. Mr Seddon himself, whose opinion on the point probably carries much greater weight with the Minister of Mines than that of Mr Herries does, admitted that upon looking up the figures he was very much astonished to find what a paltry amount has been lately expended upon prospecting. Mr M'Gowan for his part has implied that it is not he that is responsible for the parsimony which, in the view Mr Seddon now takes of the matter, has been practised in regard to the assistance of prospecting : a power in the Cabinet greater than the Minister of Mines has resisted the claims he has made for larger grants for this purpose. We may leave Mr Seddon and Mr M'Gowan to settle between themselves any little difference they may have in this connection. The fact is tFiat the Government expenditure in aid of prospecting has amounted practically to a neglect of this important phase of the mining industry. In the plan of work which the recently-appointed Government Geologist has prepared for himself a good deal of encouragement is given, however, to the belief that the necessity for a systematic exploration of the colony with the object of more thoroughly developing its mineral resources has been recognised. Dr Bell has proposed to divide the country into quadrangles for prospecting purposes, and to employ staffs of qualified men to conduct surveys and to assist him in undertaking the exploration operations that are decided upon. Moreover, Mr Seddon has himself outlined a new mining policy which is infinitely more progressive than that pursued by his Government in the past, and he has expressed himself as confident that the effect will be to give a distinct impetus to the industry. "\V hen the geologist said that prospecting should be done in a given district, the State would," the Premier has declared, " have to find the money for the sinking of the shafts, driving of the tunnels, or for boring, j and he believed that money would be I properly expended." Parliament would, j in his opinion, provide a sum of £20,000 for prospecting. When the Premier has publicly expressed this view, the miners at St. Bathans have every reason to hope that at the least the Government Geologist will be

directed to report as to the desirability of expending State funds upon prospecting the mineral deposits in the locality to which they have specially referred. And if Dr Bell visits Central Otago and surveys the auriferous belt from St. Bathans to Clyde there can be very little doubt, we should imagine, that he will recommend it as a field of the greatest promise upon the prospecting of which Government moneys may be expended io the decided benefit of the colony as a whole.