New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-11
ROJESTVENEKYS MISSION

rumor was current in st. Petersburg Fri
day that the Car had directed Admiral Roiest-
vensky to pause in his progress toward the Far
East One readily imagine reasons for
issuing such order, but the story is entitled
to little credit. Not only does it lack confirma-
ton, but il has been directly or indirectly de-
MED. A dispatch from the Russian capital de-
clares that The Associated Press is authorized
10 say that the plans of the commander of the
Baltic Fleet will not be modified by anything
which has happened at Port Arthur within the
last few days. This language is a trihe OBJ
scure. but it is doubtless intended to indicate
that Admiral ROjestvensky has not been re-
called or instructed TO slacken speed. In any
case 1t is evident that Japan does not propose
to be caught mapping. Minister Griscom sends
word TO Washington that shipping has been
warned TO keep twenty miles away from the
PescaGOres group of small islands between
Formosa and the continent, more than q thou
sand miles to the southwark of Port Arthur. 1t
is not clear whether the Mkado means to es-
tablish a base of operations at this outpost Of
his dominions, or whether his purpose is mere
" TO provide against some such incident as
that which occurred in the North Sea few
weeks ago. The announcement alone however,
shows that Japan is on the alert
What the plans are which are said to be
still unchanged remains matter Of conjecture.
Neither the Russian Admiralty nor Admiral
Rojestvensky has confded them to the public
Perhaps the plans have not been fully fOrmu-
lated Within certain limits, no doubt. some
thing must be left TO the discretion OF the COM
mander Of the fleet, but his programme will
necessarily be shaped largely by events over
which he has little control and which he is
able to foresee. He cannot relieve Admiral
Wren because Admiral Wren has few or 10
vessels left. Besides. Admiral Roiestvensky is
not likely to approach Port Arthur without
meeting opposition from Togo. When and
where resistance will be encountered, and
what will be the outcome Of the meeting time
only can tell. Nominally. the Baltic feet is
large and formidable, but neither any display
Of genius by the officer to whom its command
has been intrusted nor any special good fort
une attending earlier naval battles during the
present war justifies high hopes of Russian sue
cess.
second report from the East, which is yet
uncorroborated, is to the effect that the Rus
sian land forces at Port Arthur withdraw
ing to Lao-Teai-Shan an eminence to the
southwestward of the city and on the tip of
the peninsula on which the latter is situated.
1t Is conceivable, Of course. that General Stoes
sci might regard evacuation Of his works
creditsble than surrender. but he could not pre-
vent the capture Of himself and al least a pOr-
ton of his troops unless Admiral Rotestven-
sky's ships were at hand, or unless SO alarm
ing a diversion Were created by the Russian
army as to leave him free to retire north
ward. On the other hand after the sturdy de-
fence he has made. it would be unlike him to
yield an inch Of ground until he found it alb
sOlutely necessary to do so, and the time for
such action has evidently not arrived The ter
rible assaults his works TO the nOrthward
and eastward of Port Arthur. accounts of which
were withheld from the world nearly three
weeks, were practically futile. 1t is significant
that Japan was unwilling TO publish the news
I until after the conquest OF 203- Metre Hill.
There is little prospect therefore, of an imme-
! date renewal Of the attempt TO take the Rus
| sian intrenchments by storm. Disastrous re-
! suits in the harbOr Of Port Arthur have fol
| lowed the mounting of heavy naval guns on
| BOB Metre Hill, but Stoessels position seems to
| be nearly or quite tenable it was after
! the awful battle Of November 1927. Finally
| as for any relief from Admiral Rojestvensky,
! perhaps the commander OF the land forces at
| Port Arthur is too level headed to count on any
! irrr h. Ia,