It is now possible to fill in several gaps in the story of naval work in the Far East since the outbreak of war. One important point may be noticed, namely, that the order for the China Squadron to concentrate at Hong-
387 kong—which has been much criticized in view of the subsequent escape from Tsingtao of the Emden—came from Home. This should be noted in fairness to all those in authority.
The Squadron reached Hongkong ty-four hours and was away again by the 6th. The Triumph was actually in dock repairing and it is said that the Germans believed she could not be ready for three months to take the sea. Actually she put out at once with the others, and has proved herself all that she should be.
Under the Admiral's orders part of the Squadron went off to Yap to capture colliers, destroy the German cable station etc., (this is already known) while the rest went north to set free the Yangtze trade. The utmost secrecy was observed and the fact that Yangtze trade was freed by August 19 shows how well Admiral Jerram's plan succeded.
On August 17 some ships were ordered to Tsingtao, where they arrived on August 20, and inside twenty-four hours were so fortunate as to make five good prizes, one of which was particularly valuable, as she waa filled with coal, cattle and mails for the Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Leipzig and Nurnberg.
Subsequently, as again generally known, H.M. 88. Triumph apd Usk escorted the British troops from Tientsin to ce-operate with the Japanese troops against Tsingtao, and returned to join in the blockading and bombarding of that port. This is a necessary measure, but not one from which alone much can be expected og modern naval fortresses are far too well armed for an assault from the sea alone to prove successful.
As regarde the loss of the Japanese cruiser Takachibo, the German destroyer 8. 90 got out on a dark night and fired two tor-pedees into her, with, however, apparently fatal resulta to herself, for the explosive on the Takachiho was very severe and the 8. 90 was close to the Japanese ship. It seems probable that the destroyer was 00 badly injured that she subsequently had to run ashore. order to save herself from sinking. The 8.90 had been doing good and is a great loss to the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.