The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-03
All Russia CIamOrs to Have the Vessels Start on
 Their Voyage
FORMIDABLE VESSELS ARE
 SOON 10 BE UNDER WAY
Port Arthur Squadron VIII be Order ed to Steam Out and lnfict All the Damage Possible
 on Togo.

St. Petersburg October 3.--(2 p. n.)-An- nouneement is made that Emperor Nicho- las will visit Reval on Tuesday to bid farewell to the Baltic squadron. After months of preparation and several false starts it Is believed that the squadron is at last on the eve of departure upon its long journey.
 A division in the admiralty has existed throughout the period of preparation re- garding the advisability of sending out the squadron, but with the decision to double the size of the Manchurian army and press the war with vigor the logic of those who for months have insisted that every available ship should be dis patched to the far east. has finally pre- vailed.
 The argument that no complete victory over the Japanese is possible unless the command of the sea is wrested from them, could not be overcome, and though much valuable time has been lost and the moment seems inausplcious, it is of hcally intimated that an irrevocable de- cision has been taken to dispatch the Baltic fleet, even if the Port Arthur squadron should be annihnated before it's arrival there.
 Better to Fight Now.
 It is realized that the squadron which, on paper, Is about equal In fighting strength to that of the Japanese fleet, will be much better able to encounter the foe now than next spring. after the Jap anese ships have had all winter to clean, repair and rett
 While hopes are still entertained that Port Arthur may be able to hold out until the appearance of tha Baltic fleet the question of tine fall of that strong hold does not. apparently, enter greatly into the calculations of the admiralty. The only thing expected of the Port Ar thur squadron is to break out of the harbor and nfct as much damage as possi.i e upon Admiral Togos fleet. Such ships as escape are expected to make their way to Vladivostok, where the re- pairs upon the cruiser Bogatyr are under stool to have been practically completed ard those on the Rossia and Gromoboi are nearing completion.
 Will Depend on Sea Fight.
 The question of the war in the far east will depend upon the issue of the
 
 fleet. Vladvostok, although ice bound in winter for comm srcial ships, can easily be kept open for a fleet of war vessels by means of zee breakers If the Jap anese fleet is caught in such weakened condition that the Baltic ships are able to win a victory, officials here hold that other problems will solve themselves. and with Japanese communications sev- cred the Japanese army on the main- land will be at the mercy of the Rus sians.
 This boldly announced programme seems to stake the whole issue upon sea- 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 Togo's ships have enjoyed the prestige of continuous victories, while opposed to them will be fleet of brand new ships, more or less untried and none of which have fired a shot in actual warfare and whose crews have never yet been under fire.
 The Associated Press hears, however, that important conditions are attached to the programme outlined above. Ac- cording to this information, the Baltic fleet will be started for the far east, but the continuation of the voyage to it's destination will depend primarily upon how the ships themselves stand the test Dl actual SdlllllS, dIld SeCbHuiy, dpOh hc- velopments in the far east
 Will be Hurried on.
 Should all go well with the squadron on the voyage and Rear Admiral Wiren be able to strike a telling blow upon Ad- mral Togo. even if half his ships go to the bottom, the Baltic squadron will be hurried on with all possible speed. If defects develop in the vessels, or if Wiren fails utterly, the squadron can at the worst return and await the comple tion of other ships now building. Noth- ing, it is argued, will be lost and much may be gained by the mere departure of the squadron.
 The fact that it may have to be reck- wary about risking his ships when the wark about risking his ships when the time comes for Admiral Wirens s sortie, and thus give the latter a better oppor- tunty to escape.
 No official dispatches from the front were published on Sunday. The military situation, so far as the public is con cerned, remains unchanged.
 o1.k;~ x-~narfad