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.
[Reproduced by kind permission of the “Graphic.”
ADMIRAL TOGO.
FIRST ATTACK ON PORT ARTHUR
Admiral Togo’s official report of the attack on Port Arthur is dated February 10, 1904, at sea, and is as follows:—