From the memory: First in Asia
Before 100 years the Japanese sank the Russian Baltic Sea fleet with Tsushima. Straight 40 years Japan had used, in order to transform after its opening by the fleet of the American Commodore Perry of an isolated country remaining in age-old traditions into a modern power with appropriate interests. Because one wanted to win in Tokyo spheres of influence on the Chinese mainland, it came 1894 to the Chinese-Japanese war. But all victories led not to desired success, put nevertheless the Russian Zarenstaat between them. He occupied the Manchuria, by which the Trans-Siberian railway ran, and leased the port haven Arthur.
Japan did not feel ten years later strongly enough to out-sharpen this scharte. On 9 February its fleet attacked the Russian Eastern Asia squadron in haven Arthur. Later only it explained two days the war.
In order to adjust the defeat, one decided in June 1904 in pc. Petersburg to set the Baltic fleet after Wladiwostok in march. But only on 15 October it could run out under the command of admiral Roshdestwenskij from Liebau. 34,000 kilometers lay before it. It became a journey into the fall.
Many of the 36 combat and nine consort ships had become outdated, others not in the best condition. Thus the cruising speed remained slowly. Also had, because no country permitted the creation, which are taken over coal on lake - the Hamburg America line secured itself the order, sent 60 coal steamers and could from the profit her luxury ships "America" and "empress Auguste Victoria" build.
When the Russian federation ran into the Tsushima road between Japan and Korea, it expected there already the Japanese fleet under admiral Togo with ships, it faster and than the Russian were more strongly prepared and were tactically better led. The consequence of the two-day sea-battle was a disaster. The break-through succeeded to only three smaller Russian ships at Wladiwostok. Eight battle ships, nine cruisers and most consort ships were sunk or put out of action. More than 4000 Russian sailors died, 7300 and three admirals went into shank. Japan lost three torpedo boats and 116 men.
In view of this defeat accepted the Zar like the Meiji emperor - Japan had financially taken over itself - the offer of mediation of the USA, which led on 5 September 1905 to the peace of Portsmouth (the USA). Japan received Manchuria, haven Arthur and Korea as spheres of influence. Thus it had become as the first asiatic nation a world-political factor. Peter Dittmar
