The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-03
SQUADRON TO LEAVE.
Baltic Fleet Will be Important Factor
 in Campaign.

Baltic Fleet Will be Important Factor
 in Campaign.
 St. Petersburg, Oct. s.--(2 a. m.)-- Announcement is made that Emperor Nicholas 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 ex- isted throughout the period of prepara- ton regard the advisability of sending out the squadron, but with the decis- ion 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 prevaFhsd The argvment that no compIete 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 inauspicious, 1t is officially inti- mated that an irrevocable decision has been taken to dispatch the Baltic fleet even if the Port Arthur squadron should be annihilated before it's arrival there.
 IL 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 Japanese ships have had all winter to clean. repair and refill.
 While hopes are still entertained that Port Arthur may be able to hold cut until the appearance of the Baltic fleet the question of the fall of that strong hold does not apparently enter greatly into the calculations of the admiralty. The only thing expected of the Port Arr thur squadron is to break out of the harbor and infiict as much damage as possible upon Admirar Togo'R fleet. Such ships as escape are expected to make their way to Vladivostok. where the repairs upon the cruiser BoRatyr are understood to have been practically completed and those on the Rossia nd Gromoboi are nearly completed.
 The question of the war in the Far East win depend upon the issue of a sea fight after the arrival of the Baltic fleet. Vladivostok although Ice-bouno 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 victory, officials here hold that other problems will solve themselves and with Japanese communicationg severed the Japanese army on the mainland will be at the mercy of the Russians.
 This boldly announced program seems to stake the whole issue upon sea fight ing The Japanese ships. 1t must be remembered, have been in active ser vice seven months. No matter how greatly the efficiency of the guns and the speed of the vessels have been im-
 OA ships have enjoyed the prestige of con tinuous victories, while opposed to them will be fleet of brand new ships, more or less untrted 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 program 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 actual sailing. and, secondly, upon developments in the Far East
 Should ali go well with the squad ron on the voyage and Rear Admiral wiren be able to strike a telling blow upon Admiral Togo. even if half his ships go to the battom. 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 worst return and await the completion of other ships now building. Nothing 1t is argued will be lost and much may be gained by the mere departure of the squadron.
 The fact that 1t may have to be reck- oned with later makes Admiral Togo wary about risking his ships when the time comes for Admiral Wiren's sortie and thus give the latter a better op- portunity to escape.
 No official dispatches from the front were published on Sunday. The mill itary situation so far as the public is concerned remains unchanged.