Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-05
RUSSIA'S BALTIC FLEET
HOW FORMIDABLE WAR SHIPS
WILL REACH THE EAST.
Three Sections to Rendezvous in Indian
Ocean-Fourth Not to Sail
Until Spring.


four sections, three of which have already
left the Baltic. The first section, under
Rojestvensky. consists of five of the best
battle ships, four cruisers, eighteen Golfers,
transports and storeships, and goes via the
Cape of Good Hope. 1t was last reported at
Dakar, where it coaed in the French har-
Dor, leaving on November 16 1t is believed
to have coaled at Swakopmund, German
Southwest Africa, on December 1, though
this is denied by the German authorities,
who agreed to suppress all news regarding
the fleets movements. This section Is pro-
ceeding either to Diego Suarez, the French
port in Madagascar, to Bourbon and the
Chagos Islands. The distance from Swa-
kopmund to Bourbon is :, 500 miles; to the
Chagos Islands, $3.50.
Section two under Admiral Folkersam,
consists Of two battle ships, four cruisers,
seven destroyers and several transports. 1t
Is preceding via the Suez canal, and pass
ed the canal on November 26; it has not
since been reported but is probably bound
for the French port of Obok, where 1t will
coal, thence proceeding either to Diego SUI
areZ or Chagos. The distance from SueZ
to Chagos is 3,400 miles. The Chagos be-
long to England, and are a small group of
islands which form a very convenient rem
devious. The Russians regard England as
not counting, SO they may violate neutral
ity Sections one and two should be con-
centrated at ChagOS or Diego Suarez by
January f.
Section three, consisting Of two cruisers
and several armed steamers and torpedo
boats, passed Dover on November 20, and is
proceeding via Suez to rendezvous in the
Indian ocean, which it will reach by jan
uary 4, at latest, if all goes well.
Fourth Section May Be Reinforced.
The fourth section consists of one new and
two old battle ships and several armed
steamers. 1t will start in April, possibly re-
inforced from the Black sea by seven bat
tie ships. This section cannot arrive before
the end of June. The first three sections of
the fleet constitute an extremely formida-
BILE force, inmaterial qualities probably SUI
perior to what remains of the Japanese
feet, but the inferiority of the Baltic fleet
lies in the moral qualities shooting worse
and maneuvering worse that the japanese,
the little tactical capacity of the Russian
officers and their lack of initiative and con-
fidence in themselves and their seamanship
RojeStvensky is an able officer of great
experience, but too nervous and eXcitable
for high command. Folkersam is nom
entity.
The first three sections of the fleet will
move probably for Batavia on leaving the
Indian ocean; then they will steer for Sal
gon, French port, thence either for kiao-
chau or the islets off the west coast of
Japan. finally approaching vladivostok
through the Tsugaru straits, unless at
tackled by the japanese. 1t is reported that
the Russian ships at Saigon and Shanghai,
perhaps also at Kiaochau, will attempt to
join the Russion fleet, violating their pa
roles and the neutrality of the OBTAINING
powers. This is serious danger to Japan
The distance to be covered from ChagoS
to Batavia is 21OO miles, and from Batavia
to Vladivostok $500. If all goes well, Via
divostok should be reached before the end
of February Its harbor will be kept free
from ice by the icebreaker, also all the
straits leading to the Japan sea are free
from ice all winter. Movement through the
Japan sea in the winter is favored by
snowstorms and dense fogs.
Hope to Reach Vladivostok.
If the Baltic fleet can once gain Vladi-
vostok, all the naval war begins over
again for Japan under less favorable con-
ditions The enterprise of Rojestvensky is
doubtless serious, but it has a fair pros
pect of success if Port Arthur should not
fall or the fleet there be not disa bled. In
that case it may be the end of Japan on
sea and land, for no army can be MAIN
tanned in Manchuria once the sea command
is lost, and Japan herself would be open
to invasion and liable to attack on the diff
ferent islands in detail.
No serious difficulties face the movement
Of the Russian fleet, and all depends upon
whether coaling will be permitted in neu-
trail harbors. Egypts action permitting
the Russians to tranship coal at Port Said
opened the door throughout the far east.
The Japanese fleet, if Port Arthur should
not fall, will probably block the entrance
without any expenditure of life or shipping.
If Port Arthur falls, the japanese fleet will
be free and will probably send fast
cruiser squadron far afield to attack the
Russian Golfers, sink neutral ships con-
veying coal. and place mines, but serious
attack on the Russians will not begin be-
fore Formosa is reached.
The great object is to damage the Rus
slams as far south as possible, SO that ships
may be injured and may not reach vladi-
vostok to repair. The least risky course of
all would be to move off Vladivostok. as
there 1t is certain to meet the Russians
japanese cruisers watching all lines of ap-
proach and the japanese main fleet NOV
ing when the line of the Russian advance
is known. The position is the most in
tensely interesting since the Trafalgar
campaign.