From the War Chronicles of Imperial Japan:
>> Memorandum of Kaigun-chūjō Tochinai Sojirō on the night battle in the Gulf of Tonkin, December 31, 1921 <<
Distinguished officers and members of the 大本営 (Daihon'ei),
The first day of the new year 1922 has brought us an unexpected success! Of course, we have to say again that the behaviour of our opponent was once again unexpected. Nor could our reconnaissance be expanded to the necessary extent, but with the divine protection of our nation, the navy under the leadership of Kaigun-shōshō Hisamori Taguchi succeeded in inflicting a severe defeat on the Grand Nation in a dramatic battle.
Our losses are minimal compared to those of the enemy, but for the future construction of ships, we need to closely study the sinking of the light cruiser Tatsuta. A single torpedo had reverent consequences here. We have to learn from that.
Signals are coming from the front that the loss of this supply convoy will possibly bring the decision at Tonkin. Thus, we can welcome the New Year benevolently and courageously move forward in this conflict to the honor of the Emperor.
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Thus, the officers of the 軍令部 (Gunreibu) of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the 参謀本部 (Sambō hombu) of the Imperial Japanese Army, and the 海軍省 (Kaigun-shō) may take good note of the prepared and illustrated course of the battle for the night battle in the Gulf of Tonkin on December 31, 1921 of that year.
Long live the Rengō Kantai, long live the Imperial Japanese Navy, long live the Emperor!
Kaigun-chūjō Tochinai Sojirō, January 1, 1922
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Extra sheet of the Tōkyō Shinbun from Sunday, January 1, 1922
>> Imperial Navy sinks large convoy – Tonkin garrison surrenders! <<
The new year 1922 begins with an outstanding success for the Imperial Japanese Navy! On the night of the turn of the year, Kaigun-shōshō Hisamori Taguchi managed to sink a large enemy convoy that was supposed to bring urgently needed supplies to Tonkin. Surely the perfidious enemy had expected to remain unmolested that night. But our navy cannot be tricked in such a clumsy way. Immediately after the French disaster became known, the garrison of Tonkin laid down its arms and surrendered to the Japanese landing troops.
This is the second great success within a few weeks and an indication of an outstanding year 1922!
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Editorial office of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Monday, January 9, 1922
Osaki Satoshi surveyed the maps of the southern China Sea. Japan had achieved impressive successes, that had to be acknowledged. But he also realized how small the colonial bases of the British and French had been. Both nations had not placed much emphasis on larger ports in which large battleships could also be overtaken. He began to understand why opponents were taught one defeat after another. Strong and rested Japanese naval forces were mostly opposed by smaller enemy squadrons that had travelled for months.
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Editorial Board of the Tōkyō Shinbun – Thursday, February 02, 1922
In the Élysée Palace, too, someone had probably looked at the cards in the last few weeks! The printing presses were running at full speed, the extra sheet of the Tōkyō Shinbun could not be reprinted fast enough as it was selling.
PEACE!
That was the simple title! Even before the turn of the year, secret negotiations between France and Japan were underway in Berlin. At the turn of the year, these were still not very successful, but at that time the delegations did not know anything about the Tonkin New Year's disaster.
A few weeks later, things changed and France gave up most of its Asian possessions. It was simply not able to defend it at such a distance, and in Europe the will to pay a death toll for the other end of the world melted away.
But Osaki Satoshi also knew what was in store for him now. Without war, there was no need for a large editorial office and he had to come up with something to maintain his position and somehow supply and employ his highly motivated editors.
The war with France brought considerable innovations in naval warfare and this would certainly be reflected in the development of the fleet. If he were to lose his network now, there was a risk of being pushed onto the siding. He himself was still not well liked in the ministry and was cut off from the information there.
Osaki Satoshi needed his editors and their informants now more than ever!
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#158 RTW2-JAP#
