The Japanese Campaign.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, 1 September 1905, Page 24

The Japanese Campaign.

The following letter forwarded to us by thie recipient for publication, is from a Japanese engineer on board the Akitsushima, one of Admiral Togo's cruisers that took part in the recent great naval battle of Tsushima Straits. The letter is dated Sasebo, June 10th, 1905, anil after tendering: thanks for a letter received, continues: "Now, I must be haughty to write to you of the brilliant victory of Imperial Japanese Navy against Russia's Baltic squadron. The great battle began at p.m. 2 o'clock on the 27th (May) and finished on 29th, and that was the most excite seen to us, by that we observed the most gallant aspect together with the most cruel fact; that is enemy's sinking ships by our fierce cannonading, many boats to and flow on the anory waves hoisting white flags and uttering mortal cry for our rescue. By this victorious battle, Russia's 28 ships were almost lost but their three only ; and com-mander-in-chief, Admiral Rojestvensky, Nebokatoff and 3000 Russian with four of tlieir battleships were captured by our squadron. Notwithstanding their extermination, our damage was very a few. The great battle proved the superiority of man over machinery, and our Admiral Togo's victory in Tsushima Strait surpasses Nelson's at Trafalgar. Now Russia's hope for supremacy in the. Far East is absolutely destroyed, at least for many years to come. 'God helps always justice/ Isn't it ? (Yours very sincerely, )'." ' This quaintly- worded letter reveals

much for those who can read between the lines. The statement that Togo's voctory surpasses Nelson's great triumph at Trafalgar, affords food for reflection in showing us that the Japanese are liable to overestimate their new - born power. That, there is no comparison between the two victories should be clear to the most casual student of history. Nelson fought at Trafalgar a fleet whose ships were every bit as good as his own, and manned by men who were splendid seamen and gallant fighters. All of the French ships fought most stubbornly and were well handled throughout the battle, whilst at Tsushima Straits the Russian crews, demoralised from the start, made a very feeble show of resistance and bolted upon the first opportunity. There is no doubt that the Japanese personnel is excellent, and that the highest patriotism pervades every ship in her Navy, still the fact remains that from the very first Togo had the Russian Baltic fleet completely in his power. All honour is due to our gallant allies, however, for the splendid way in which they have conducted the campaign against Russia. Their humanity has been most marked from the outset, and is all the more to be praised in face of the barbarous atrocities that have outlined the Russian side of the conflict. It is yet difficult to estimate what the end of this great war will be. Russia haggles on over the peace negotiations, hoping to gain time by bluff, but Japan is in deadly earnest and will not be denied her rights. With full command of the sea, half Japan's battle is already won, and the ominous silence that now broods over Manchuria may be rent at any moment with the news of another great Japanese cour> which will still further baffle Russian hopes and designs in the East.