Page:A handbook of modern Japan (IA handbookofmodern01clem).pdf/205

torpedo catchers, and despatch ships. Of the first four kinds there are two or three classes in each; and of battleships there are nine first-class ones of more than 15,000 tons each. The organization of the navy is similar to that of the army: below the Emperor, who is nominally in supreme command, come the Minister of the Navy, the actual Commander-in-Chief, the Chief of Staff, the admirals, etc.

Attention should be called to two or three points emphasized by Mr. Arthur Diosy.^[1] The first is that "Nelson's own plan, as valid to-day as it was in his time," has been carried out in the types of vessels built for the Japanese fleet. "The main idea prevailing in their selection is the defence of the national interests by offensive operations against the enemy's fleets," but "at no very great distance from the base of operations at home." The warships of Japan, therefore, are not required to devote so much space to the storage of coal and other supplies for long voyages, and can utilize more space for guns and reserve ammunition, or can be built smaller and "handier." It is in this way that "they are among the swiftest of all the fighting ships afloat."

The second point, which is related to the first, is that Japan "stands in the foremost rank as a naval power," not merely on account of the number and fighting strength of her ships, the efficiency of their officers and crews, and the perfection of the naval organization, but also on account of the well-equipped