New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-05
VAR VIEUS OF EXPERTS.
Conjunction of Russian Fleets
Necessary To- Success at Sea.

Washington. July 4.-The chief military OBJ
servers more reluctant to-day than ever To
be drawn into prophecy regal ding the war situ-
ation especially as both belIgerents. for reasons
that far better known TO themselves than to
any one else. have behaved in manner for the
last week that is most GIscOnCertinS 10 map
watchers at this distance. When we cannot
speak positively OF the past. our officers ask
how can We be expected TO know what to ex-
pect next. Never were prospects more uncer-
tain. no more interesting conditions ever existed
at such a juucture in a conflict between nations.
and this is largely due to the lack of informal
ton we have or are likely 10 get from the OPP
posing forces.
Conservative officers of the army. who have
considered the final results and the conditions
likely to contribute to them say that now de-
veIopments apt 10 be due more to financial
resources than TO skill in the art of war. They
say that the nation with the longer purse Will
come out ahead in the end. always surprising
there is no International Intervention TO disar-
range the logical development of the situation.
II Russia can command the uninterrupted sup
IIy of the materials OF warfare that country can
easily tire Japan especially if the latter country
is not as bountfully equipped and fortunately
sustained. Ii Japan can obtain the aid OF Eng
land. say our officers. she may be able TO hold
out along with Russia. for then the contest of
supporting shifting armies would probably be 10
the advantage OF the japanese.
IL is quite evident to the strategise1 here that
Russia has not yet adopted ii policy of striking
at the foe. and the war might go ON inter-aiu,i-
bly--to the linlit OF the financial re sOurces-un-
der this scheme of advance and retreat II
Japans means OF recuperation are restricted.
The Russians know of This defect and could
easily exhaust the enemy by raasterful retreat
ard delay. II would he cheaper and easier
than actual encounter.
1t is one OF the theories of our naval officers
that the Russians are planning Urion OF their
three fleets AT some pre-arraused point in the
open sea. where they misht meet without dis
coVery. This mast be weeks from now, but it
IS such rendezvous would be of the
saving factors in Russian strategy. The conbi-
nation OF ships is regarded by o3r officers as
an absolute necessity in the achievement III any
formidable Russian plans at sea. 1t would fur
nish force adoat of such dimensions as would
give the enemy much concern. and permit Il
series Of campaigns OF much menace to the
Japanese. Naval officers believe that the chance
of this Russian plan rests entirely with the es-
cape of the ships from Port Arthur. an incident
which might occur under the cover Of fog. which
Is prevalent at this season there. The work
of watching the exit OF u harbor is most ar
duous. and our naval officers are sympathlzing
keenly with the Japanese in their long vigil
They must be on the verge of nervous prOstra-
ticn. for-as our officers who served before SAN
tiago know full well-there is nothing so wear
ing and so tedious as the sleepless blockade
against an enemy watching his opportunity to
escape.