The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-10-07
HOPES IN BALTIC FLEET.
Russians Put Their Full Trust in It's
Sea Eirhtinn

Sea Fighting.
| St. Petersburg, oct. 4.-Announcement IS
made that Emperor Nichosas will visit
! Reval on Tuesday to bid farewell to the
| Baltic squadron. After months of prepa-
| ration and several false starts 1T is be-
| lieVed that the squadron is a last on the
eve Of It's departure upon its long journey.
A division in the admiralty has existed
throughout the period of preparation re-
garding the advisable of sending out
| the squadron, but with the decision to
double the size of the Manchurian army
and press the with vigor, the logic
of those for months have insisted
that every available ship should be dis
patched to the far east has finally pre-
vailed. The knowledge that no complete
victory over the Japanese is possible I'M
less the command is taken from them
cannot be overcome an though much val
liable time has been lost and the moment
seems inauspicious. it is officially intimat-
| ed that an irrevocable decision has been
| taken TO dispatch the Baltic fleet, even IL
the Port Arthur squadron should be ami
Inflated before re arrival there. 1t is re-
allied that the squadron, paper, is
about equal in fighting strength to the
Japanese fleet. and will be better able
TO encounter the foe now than next spring
after the Japanese have had all winter to
clean. repair and reiit.
Port Arthur Too Far Gone.
While hopes are still entertained tina
| 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 squad.
ron is to break out of the harbor and in
lict as much damage as possible on Togo's
icet. Such ships as escape are expected
TO make their way to Vladivostok where
the repairs on the cruiser Bogatyr are un-
dcrstood to have been practically COM
plctcd. and those on the Rossia and Grom-
ohoi 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 feed. Vladi-
ivostok. although icebound in winter for
commercial uses, can easily be kept open
for fleet of war vessels by means of ice
breakers. If the Japanese fleet is caught
in such a Hakened condition that the
Baltic ships are able to win a victory, Off
Gals here hold that other problems will
solve themselves, and with Japanese COM
munications severed the Japanese army
on the mainland will be at the mercy of
Russia
This boldly announced program seems
to stake the whole issue on sea fighting.
The Japanese ships. it must be remem-
hercd, have been in active service seven
months. No matter how thy the orig
inai efficiency of the guns and the speed
of the vessels have been impaired the
crows of Admiral Togo's ships have en-
joNed the prestige of continuous victories,
while opposed to them will be a fleet of
brand new ships more or less untried. and
none of which has fired a shot in actual
warfare, and whose crews have never yet
been under fire
The Fleets Program.
The Associated Press hears, however,
that important conditions are attached to
the program outlined According to this
information the Baltic fleet will be started
for the far east, but the continuation of
the voyage to its destination will depend
primarily upon how the ships themselves
stand the test of actual sailing and, sec
Cn!ly upon developments in the far east.
Should all so well with the squadron on
the voyage, and Rear Admiral Wren be
able to strike a telling blow upon Admiral
Togo even if half his ships go to the bot
tom. the Baltic squadron will be hurried
on with all speed. If defects develop in
the vessels or if Wren fails utterly the
squadron can at worst return and await
the completion of other ships now build
ing. Nothing, it is argued will be lost,
parture of the squadron, and the fact
thai 1t may have to be rcckoned with
later may make Admiral Togo wary about
riskinS his ships when the time comes
for Rear Admiral Wirens sortie and thus
give the latter Il better opportunity to es-
cape.
No official dispatches from the front
We're received on Sunday. The military
situation as far as the public is concerned
remains unchanged.
Numerous stories are afloat regarding
important commands with the new army
and the disposition of the various prom:-
nent officers whose names have been men
toned in connection Herewith; but moth
ing conclusive has yet been given out. 1t
is merely evident that preparations for
the dispatch of fresh troops Is being
pushed as rapidly as possible.
1t is understood that the second division
of the guard regiments is already under
orders to go to the front.