New-York tribune., 1904-10-03
GARRISON BEATEN BACK.
Continued from fTst page.

have had all winter 20 clean, repair and refit.
While hopes are still entertained that Port Ar
thur may be able to hold out until the appear
ance OF the Baltic fleet. the question Of the fall
Of that stronghold does not. apparently. enter
greatly into the calculations of the Admiralty.
The only thing expected OF the Port Arthur
squadron is TO break out Of the harbnr and in
hict as much damage possible upon Admiral
Togos feet. Such ships escape are expected
TO make their way TO Vladivostok where the re-
pairs upon the cruiser Bogatyr are understood
TO have been practically completed, and those on
the Rossia and the Gromoboi are nearing COM
pletion
The question OF the war In the Far East will
depend upon the issue OF sea fight after the
arrival of the Baltic feet. Vladivostok. al
though icebound in winter for commercial ships,
can easily be kept open for a fleet OF war YES
sells by means Of cebreakers. II the japanese
feet is caught in such a weakened condition
that the Baltic ships able to win victory
officials here hold that other problems VIII solve
themselves. and. with Japanese communics tions
severed the Japanese army the mainland
will be at the mercy Of Russia.
This boldly announced programme seems 20
stake the whole issue upon fighting. The
Japanese ships. it must be remembered. have
been in active service seven months No matter
how greatly the efficiency OF the guns and the
speed of the vessels have been impaired, the
crews OF Admiral Togos ships have enjoyed the
prestige OF continuous victories while opposed
to them will be a fleet OF brand new ships. more
or less untried and none Of which have Yet fred
shot in actual warfare. and whose crews have
never been under fire.
The Associated Press hears. however that i'm
portant conditions are attached TO the pro-
gramme outlined above. According to this in
formation the Baltic feet will be started for the
Far East but the continuation of the voyage TO
its destination will depend primarily upon how
the ships stand the test OF actual sailing and
second upon developments in the Far East
Should all 60 well with the squadron on the voy-
age and Rear Admiral Wren be abIe TO strike a
telling blow against Admiral Togo even If half
his ships go 10 the bottom. the Baltic squad
ron Will he hurried. with all possible speed
II defects develop in the vessels or If Wren
fails utterly. the squa iron can az worst return
and await the completion Of other ships now
building Nothing. II is argued will he lost and
much may be gained by the mere departure OF
the squadron, and the fact that II may have 70
be reckoned with later may make Admiral Togo
wary about risking his ships when the time
comes for Admiral wiren's sortle and thus give
The Russian commander better opportunity 10
escape
No official dispatches from the front were
pupHshed on SUNDAY The military situation, so
Tar as the public is concerned. remains un-
changed Numberless stories are afoat regard
ing important commands with the army
and the disposition OF various prominent officers
whose names have been mentioned in conuec-
ton herewith. but nothing conclusive has ys-
been given out. II IS merely evident that prep
aration for the dispatch of fresh troops IS being
pushed as rapidly as possible II Is understood
that the second division OF the Guard regiments
is already under orders 70 20 10 the front