New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-19
ROJESTVENSKY'S VOYAGE.
FORECAST OF HIS PLANS.
.Souadrons Likely to Meet at the
Ckagos Islands.
ccorresDopdenoe Of The Associated Pre,,)

ror5on Dec THE warships OF the Russian
Baltic feet comprising the best of the remaining
element of the Russian navy are to-day on all
sides OF the African Continent working their way
sInsly or in groups TO secret rendezvous some
where in the Indian Ocean. They are accompanied
nv a host NJ volunteer cruisers, transports repair
and store sbips and GOLFERS and had Africa been
the objective of their hostile movement they could
hardly have surrounded that continent more COM
pleteIy. Some are hurrying forward at full speed,
others are waiting in more or less friendly ports
coaling and provisioning, while still others. stray
glers chips which have been forced for one
reason or another temporarily to drop out of the
line working their way from port 10 port
through the Mediterranean to the East They are
being reported almost daily from some African
port or another but the time is approaching rapid
" when the last ship will clear from the last port
whence news of her movements can be sent by
cable the outer world and the entire feet will
then be the last stage OF its journey to that
secret meeting place in the Indian Ocean known
only TO the Russians themselves. where the feet
will make its final preparations 10 advance
into waters where the japanese may be expected
TO attack il. From the Baltic to the East Indies
the voyage OF these vessels is comparatively free
from the danger of hostile operations the part
OF the enemy, but from the Straits of Malacca or
the Straits of Sunda north. naval experts say,
attack may be expected at any time.
The approximate location Of the rendezvous In the
Indian Ocean has been determined by outside OBJ
with reasonable accuracy. Naval experts
who are familiar with the Indian Ocean have
worked the matter out with almost convincing GER
tainty It is not at all probable that the Russian
detachment coming through the Red Sea under
Rear Admiral voelkersam will steam far out Of
its course 10 the east to meet the detachment
coming around the Cape of Good Hope. under Vice
Admiral Rotestvcnsky. and also il is to the advan-
tage of the Russians TO concentrate their scat
tered feet soon possible. Consequently, for
this and other reasons, the place of meeting has
beer fxed by strategists near this Chagos Archi-
pelago. although some authorities are of the opin-
ion that the rendezvous Will take place off the
small island OF Minicoy The ChagOs are a group
OF coral islands. practically uninhabited. forming
a dependency of the British colony OF Mauritius.
and situated 200 miles southwest of Alden and
1850 miles TO the northwest OF Delsgoa Bay. the
east coast of Africa. Minicoy is atoll $50
miles the OF the southern end of India
and about 800 miles north OF the Chagos group.
From the Chagos 1t is 2.0e0 miles to Batavia, on
tho Straits of Sunda, where the feet will prob
ably enter the East Indies. and turn north in tho
direction OF Japan. and where. II is said, attack
by the japanese may first be expected.
THE ESTIMATED TINE OF ARRIVAL
As the rate at which the Russian warships are
proceeding from port to port Is known. the date of
their arrival at the Chagos Islands be
puted with reasonable accuracy. The detachment
going through the Rea Sea has had the shorter
course and has therefore taken its time evidently
confident that It can reach the rendezvous the
appointed day. The main part OF this squadron,
under Rear Admirsi Voelkersayn, and consisting
of some twenty ships, is to-day at Djibuti the
southern entrance to the Red Sea. Djbutil is 210o
miles from the Chagos, and at the SLOW rate of
200 miles day ten days and half would suffice
to the distance
From the Great Belt TO Tangier the Cape detach-
ment travelled the rate of about two hundred
Iniles a day. It left Tangier November s, and
reported November 20 to be at Angra
Pequena, the west coast OF Africa. south Of
Swakopmund This record shows the speed to have
been increased to about 22O miles a day. From
Angra PeQuena to the ChagoS. allowing for detour
into Delagoa Bay is $500 miles; the of
go miles a day. nineteen days would be required to
cover the distance, and the rate of 220 miles
day, seventeen days would be employed. To these
periods OF time there must be added allowances
for stops and coaling and possible breakdowns. say
one week, which would bring the Cape detachment
OF the Russian warships to the Chagos about
Christmas time From this estimate it is seen that
the Red Sea detachment has ample time its
hands. as It is only ten days from the rendezvous
Also, II the Cape detachment should make quicker
from the south of Africa to the rendezvous
than It has thus shown. either by increased
speed by not making the detour into Delagoa
Bay. it might reach the Chagos several days prior
10 December rs. In this the arrival Of the
concentrated feet IN the East Indies could be
looked for about January !.
The Cape detachment will experience It's greatest
difficulty in the matter OF coaling in the Indian
Ocean. From Angra PeQuena around the Cape to
Delagoa Bay is 1,40O miles and from the latter
place to the next probable coalng place-the French
island Of Bourbon. or Reunion-1,1OO miles
Between Delagoa Bay and Bourbon is Madagascar
which also offers coaling opportunities. Both these
distances are comparatively short, and to traverse
them without to fresh coal supplies will not
be difficult for the Russian vessels 1t is after
leaving Bourbon that the long stage without a
port-3,340 miles to Batavia-will be entered upon
and here the great difficulty will be encountered
Even this. however. be overcome by coaling at
or in the shelter OF some of the Chagos Islands
From the Chagos Islands TO Batavia the COM
bned feet will have OF 2O90 miles or nine
or ten days and II is reasonable TO look for news
OF the Russians from Batavia If they go there some
time in the first week OF January. An allowance
OF several days between Chagos and Batavia for
coalng operations and general preparations should
be made%
CHANCE TO COAL AT BATAVIA
The argument is advanced that the feet will Uss
the Strait of Sunda in preference TO the Strait of
9laacca for its passage into the East Indies he
he alxa ,;1,h1