SINKING OF THE MIKASA

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2033, 19 March 1907, Page 1

SINKING OF THE MIKASA

Tlio sinking of the celebrated flagship of Admiral Togo was ono of the most dramatic incidentsy connected with tlio Russo-Japanese war, and the effects on the miifds of the Japanese people were “deepened by tho mystery of the cause of the disaster. Ugly rumors were started that it was the work of discontented Japanese sailors, and these wore accepted by many foreigners who were ready to believe that Japanese, >whose notions of national honor had not been realised, wero capable of any act which showed their resentment. The Japanese Admiralty therefore determined to have all the circumstances carefully investigated, and if- has now published a statemenj in which everybody is exonerated, and the suspicion that foul play had taken place is finally dispelled. This is tire result ot investigations made by two conn mittpes appointed by tlio Naval Department. Tlie first committee .discharged its duties while the ship herself was still at tlie bottom of the sea. Its conclusions were, consequently, moro or less open to query ; but after tho most 1 careful examiua’tion it was decided that no t.vqcp Whatever could be found of misconduct or culpable neglect on the part of any of the officers or men, and that the explosion had originated in the port magazine, containing ammunition for tlio ship’s 6in guns. ,\s 80(111 as the vessel was refloated, tlio Naval Department appointed . another committee, and its inquiries ]iavc entirely confirmed the views of its predecessor. -The explosion is declared to have resulted from spontaneous combustion, caused by a chemical change taking place ill a part of tho 6in ammunition stored in the port No suspicion whatever rests on any of the vessel’s crew, or tiny person connected with the preparation or storing of the ammunition, and this opinion on tlie. part of the commit-tee will be welcomed, not only by the Japanese people, but also by many ol their admirers, .wlio would have been much disappointed if anything had occurred during the war which was a blot on tlie chivalry which was one ol the chief characteristics of those who carried it on. The opinion also probably helps to explain other mysterious explosions oil board ships ol war, such ns that which lias just occurred at Toulon.