The Beaumont enterprise. [volume] (Beaumont, Tex.) 1904-current, 1904-10-03

nounccment Is made that Empcro
Nicholas will visit Reval on Tuesday
tn bid farewell to the Baltic squadron.
After months of preparation and sew
cral false S arts, it is believed that the
squadron is at last on the eve of de.
parture upon its long journey. A di-
visOn in the admiralty has existed
throughout the period of preparation,
regarding 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 dispatched to the far east
has finally prevailed.
Must Command the Sea.
The argument that no complete vic
tory over the Japncsc is possible un-
less the command of the sea is wrcstcd
rom them could not be overcome, and
though much valuable time has been
lbnN, liS ilioih'it SNSIlo
auspicious, it is officially intimated
that an rrcvocable decision had
been taken to dispatch the Baltic
fleet, even if Port A. thur should be
annihlatcd before its arrival there.
same Size on Paper.
1T is realized that the squadron,
which on paper is about equal in fight
ing strength to that of the Japanese
fleet, will be much better able to en-
counter the foe now than next spring,
after the Japanese SHIPS have had all
winter to clean and rcfit.
While hopes are still entertained
that Port Arthur may be able to hold
out until the appearance 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
bI eak out of the harbor and inaict as
much damage as possible upon Ad
miral TogOs fleet. Such ships as
escape are expected to make their way
to Vladvostock. where the repairs up
OIL the cruiser Bogatyr are understood
10 have been practically completed,
and those on the ROssia and GrOmoboi
are nearing completion.
The question of the war in the far
east will depend upon the issue of a
sea fight after the arrival of the Baltic
fleet.
The Vladivostock harbor. although
iCe-bound in winter for commercial
ships, can easily be kept open for a
fleet of war vessels by means of ice
breakers. If the Japanese fleet is
caught in such weakened condition
that the Baltic ships are able TO win a |
victory, officials here hold that othCr |
problems will solve themselves, and
with Japanese communications scv-
cred, the Japanese army on the main |
land will be at the mercy Of the
Russians.
The Program.
This boldly announced Diugram |
seems TO stake the whole issue upon
sea fighting The Japanese ships. il |
must be remembered. have been in ac-
tive service seven months. No matter
hCw greatly the efficiency of he guns
hIf llt SIB'f-l Dl illt NtSSilo INV B'fll Il
impaired. the crews of Admiral 1oaus
ships have enjoyed the prestige Of con
tinuous victories, while opposed to ]
them will DC a fee; of branl new
ships more or less untricd. and none
OF which have fired a shot in actual
warfare. and whose Crews nave never
yet been under fire.
A Few Proviso,.
The Associated Press hears. however.
that impOr ant conditions arc attached
~ the program outlined above. Acc0 H.
ing 10 this information. th" Bal-Ic
feet will De started for the iIr cast.
but tIe continuation n the vovag- '0i
fs destination will depend primarily
Un h0w the shUE ths-I=rlve- stand tho
test 0T actual sailing and secondly On
iu fhr far cas- Should
90 c0 wHl with fhr -uuaIrla ID rhr
tHrarr and Rear Admiral Wirru De
allie f0 sfr 30 a telling blow urIn Ad-
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Do i0ff1rl rha Baltic squadron vii Boz
irr ff 0n uifh al UJs=iilr speed If
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Wf-rr fails rrrarly. rhl aura Ir1u ran
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