The war with Russia was the direct outcome of the action of that Power
in ousting Japan from Port Arthur. There is little question but that
the real object of the Chino-Japanese War was Japan’s determination to
be the paramount power in the Far East. The action of Russia, France,
and Germany in neutralising all that victory gave her completely
checkmated Japan, and from that day onward she made little secret of
her preparations for a war, the prize of which would be the control
of China, and the foundation of a Far Eastern Empire whose ultimate
proportions none can foresee.
The political situation between Japan and Russia needs no comment
in a purely naval record of events: Japan made ready with a steady
determination, where Russia ignored the obvious.
Not till a month or two before the war did Russia recognise that it was
inevitable; she then sought refuge in diplomatic delays, which Japan
severed by the sudden rupture of negotiations at a moment favourable
to herself. Much has been written of Japan’s “treachery” and Russia’s
“duplicity,” but neither accusation is just.
[Illustration: VARIAG.]
Following are the Japanese versions of the various incidents of the
war, as officially reported:—
They were prefaced by the Chemulpo incident, in which the Asama,
Naniwa, Takachiho, Suma, Chiyoda, and Niitaka annihilated the Russian
cruiser Variag and the gunboat Korietz.
As a naval incident, this action has little interest or significance,
the Russian ships being abnormally overmatched; indeed, there is
nothing in the affair worthy of comment save the admirable strategy
displayed by the Japanese in thus ensuring absolute victory without
taking any risks. A very high appreciation of the real meaning of
sea-power is evidenced here.
The rest of the naval war concentrated around Port Arthur. The Japanese
task was in no way an easy one, for Russia made no errors after the
first stupendous one by which she lost her two best battleships.
[Illustration: [_Reproduced by kind permission of the “Graphic.”_