Hawaii Holomua, Volume III, Number 168, 20 July 1894 — Fighting Strentgh of the Japanese and Chinese Navies. [ARTICLE]

Fighting Strentgh of the Japanese and Chinese Navies.

The Hoehi Shinbam compares the flgbting capacity o( the Japanese and the Chineso Navies. As ueaal with the native presa when dealing with such topics, the Hoehi professes that its information originally eame from the mouth of an annoymoos expert, this time a Japanesa Admiral. On the sapposition tbat the Japanese troops and tbe Chinese troops now in Corea eome into collision tbroagb some caase or other, it is not an idle task to coatrast the fighting powers of the two Navies, whose operations would not be less important tban military. The Hoehi then proceeds to enumerate the meo-of-war, their tonnage. and horse power, composing the two Navies, and arrives at the following result: Japan—number of war ships, 32; their tonnage, abont 61,000; horse power, about 95,000; China—uufiiber of vessels 46; tonnage aboot 68,000; horse power 72,000. Tbus, with regard to aritbmetical strengtb of the ♦wo Navies tbere is no partioular difference, and the issue of a now not improbable fight wonld depend upon the comparative skill of the personnel. With respect to the qnalifications of o£Bcers, tbe Hoehi is obliged to admit with regret that Japan cannot lay elaim to any marked superiori(y. ovlr Caina. It is true that tfapan bas a Naval College and a Naval Academy, and tbat plenty of her officers have mastered the aeieneo of naval strategy and tactics. But Ohina h«s never' (ailen bebind Japan in tbese poiuts. She has specially engaged foreign experts, and has sent her most promising officers to Europe and America, whenee tbey bave returned after going through all tbe nocessary coarses. In gannery, navigation. and tactical evolutions they are so well trained that even foreigners admire their proficiency. WonId the Japaneso Navy be overcome, then, when opposed by tho Chinese? By no meaus. For though tbe Cbinese officers may be excellent, that is not the case with tbe men. The Iatter are all thoroughIy Cbinese in their wāys, indo!ent, addicted to opinm, and in many cases ignorant of even how to fire a gnn. Seeing that tbe point of prime importance in naval efficiency is tbe capacity of tbe men and officers to work together, Japan mnst be admitted to possess a marked advantage over Cbina. Moreover, Cbina bas made eomparatively httle progress in the art of employing torpedo boats, nur has she a snfficient nnmbor of them; a serioos fact in riew of the part now played by torpedos in naval warfare. In short, tbe so-called Admiral is said to have declared with great satisfaction that take all in all, the Japanese Navy bas more tban enongh strengtb to overpower the Cfainese.—Japan Mail.