The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-10-06
HOPES IN BALTIC FLEET.
Russians Put Their Full Trust in Its
Sea Fiuhtina.

Sea Fighting.
81. Petersburg, Oct. 4.-Announcement is
made that Emperor Nicholsas will visit
Reval on Tuesday to bid farewell to the
Baltic squadron. After months of prcpa-
ration and several false starts it is be-
lleVed that the squadron is at last on the
eve of It's departure upon its long journey.
A division i'll the admiralty has existed
throughout the period OF preparation re-
Sarding 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 " . 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 is taken from them
cannot be overcome, an though much val
liable time has been lost and the moment
seems tnauspiciOus, it is officially intimat-
cd that an irrevocable decision has been
taken to dispatch the Baltic fleet. ever il
the Port Arthur squadron should be ami
inflated before &c arrival there. 1t is re-
allied that the squadron, on paper, is
about equal in fighting strength to me
japanese fleet, and will be better able
to encounter the foe now thar next spring
after the Japanese AVE had all winter to
clean, repair and refit.
Port Arthur Too Far Gone.
Whlle hopes are still entertained that
Port Arthur may Sc able to hold out until
the appearance of the Baltic feet, 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
met as much damage as possible on Togo's
Icet. Such ships as escape are expected
to make their way to V~ladivostok, where
the repairs on the cruiser Bogatyr are un-
derstood to have been practically COM
pleted, and those on the Rossia and Grom-
oboi are nearing completion.
The question of the war in the far east
will depend upon the issue of a sea Eight
after the arrival of the Baltic feed. Vladi-
ivostok, although icebound in winter for
commercial uses. can easily be kept open
for a 1lees of wal vessels by means Of ice
breakers. If the Japanese fleet is caught |
in such Il 1akened condition tina 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.
Japanese ships, it must be remem-
bered, have been in active service seven
No matter how greatly the orig
mai efficiency of the guns and the speed
of the vessels have been impaired, the
crews of Admiral Togo's ships have en-
joyed the prestige Of continuous Victories,
while opposed to them will be a fleet of
brand new ships more or less untried, ard
none of which has fired a shot in actual
W. Yfg rp and CpI1ne ,,,,n,,-. ,,-o 1900. -.
been under fire.
The Fleets Program.
The Associated Press hears. however
important conditions are attached to
the program outlined. According to this
Information the Baltic fleet will be started
for the far cast, 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
ondly, upon developments in the far east.
Should all go well with the squadron on
voyage, and Rear Admiral Wren be
able to strike a telling blow upon Admiral
Togo even if half his ships go to the bot
the Baltic squadron will be hurried
on witt all speed. If defects dcvelop in
the vessels or if Wren fails utterly the
can at worst return and await
the completion of other ships now build
ing. Nothing, it is argued, will be lost,
and much may be gained by the mere de-
parture of the squadron, and the fact
it may have to be reckoned with
later may make Admiral Togo wary about
risking his ships when the time comes
Rear Admiral Wiren's sortie and thus
give the latter a better opportunity TO es-
cape.
No official dispatches from the front
were received on Sunday. The military
as far as the public is concerned
remains unchanged.
Numerous stories are afoat regarding
important commands with the new army
and the disposition of the various promi-
nent officers whose names lave been mem
toned in connection herewith; but moth
ing Conclusive has yet been given out. It
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
to go to the front.