The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-31

fleet, the Russian Admiralty at mid
night no longer attempted to hold out
against the overwhelming evidence
pouring in from all directions that the
fleet on which all their hopes were
centered had suffered a greater disast-
er than did the combined French and
Spanish fleets at Trafalgar.
More bitter even than defeat is the
Japanese claim of the virtual annihi-
lation of the Russian fleet with prac-
tically no loss on their side, and many
officers cling doggedIy to the belief
that Vice Admiral Togo must have
suffered heavily.
With every ship of Rear Admiral
Nebogatoff's reinforcing division either
sent to the bottom or forced to strike
its flag, and only six of Rojestvensky' s
original sixteen fighting ships absent
from the list of the vessels sunk or
captured. and with the Japanese pur-
suit still continuing, no naval author
ity has the temerity to dream that
Russia can again attempt to wrest the
mastery of the sea from Japan in the
present war.
The captured warships alone VIII
furnish Japan with ready-made rein
forcements which will be more than a
match for the fourth Pacific squadron
now about to sail from Cronstadt.
The Gar Overwhelmed.
The Emperor is completely pros
trated by the news and according to
reports, he broke down and wept.
The effect of the disaster will be a
terrific blow to the government. The
futility of trying to stagger on land IS
everywhere recognized and the cry for
"peace at any price" is sure to be
raised. This time it is believed the
government cannot Zrsist such a cry.
Indeed the radical liberals are openly
rejoicing in this hour of their country S
humiliation. They declare that the
disaster means peace and a constltu-
ton and that the deaths of thousands
of their fellow countrymen and the
loss of over hundred millions of dol
lars worth of warships is not too be
a price to pay.
The friends of peace in the govern
ment are already reproaching the war
party with forcing the issue between
Togo and Rojestvensky. When the
fleet appeared i'm the Straits of Malacca
they tried vainly to persuade the En-
peror that the time was opportune Tor
the opening of peace negotiations, but
the war party convinced His Majesty
anu Rpjestvensky, for the honor of the
navy, : sisted that the Heet should be
given a chance to retrieve the disasters
suffered on land.
Diplomats entertain no doubt that
the belIigerent faction will continue to
urge that the war be fought to the
bitter end, but the friends of Russia
abroad, and especially France, are now
bringing overwhelming arguments to
bear in favor of peace.
The Associated Press has excellent
reason to believe that the Russian
government in this crisis will turn to
M. Delcasse, the French Foreign Min
lister, in whose ability and in whose
loyalty as Russia's friend, the EN-
peror and his ministers have implNt
confidence. Some time ago it appeared
likely that President Roosevelt would
play a big role in the peace negotia-
tons, but now his share IS apt 70 De
determined by M. Delcasse's decision
The latter may of course consider it
wise to place the negotiations in Pres
ident Roosevelt's hands.
The war party however, will insist
now as they did after the battle of
Mukden, that peace is impossible on
the heels of defeat The members of
this faction are already proclaiming
that the naval disaster in no wise alt
ers the situation on land, Lieutenant
Linevitch having prepared his plans as
if the fleet did not exist.
The censorship is taking the posi-
tion that it is improper to accept the
Japanese reports in the absence of Of
fetal news and has forbidden the pub
LEGATION of foreign dispatches giving
details of the defeat. Nevertheless
news of the magnitude of the disaster
spread like wild fire throughout the
city and the main facts were embel-
lished in picturesque detail nothwith-
standing theohicial declaration. The
Admiralty is without reports of the de-
feat Private adVices are said to have
reached the city from VladivqstocN,
according to which RojestvenslSy is
alive but that he had a narrow escape.
He is said to have transferred his flag
from the Kniaz Suvaroff to one of the
battleships subsequently sunk and that
he was wounded and picked up by a
torpedo boat.
A large portion of the officers and
sailors of the fleet were residents of
St Petersburg and evidences of eX-
pectant grief are seen on every hand.
Wives and families are besieging the
Admiralty and are visiting the
churches to pray for the escape of
their loved ones.
Many of the people of St Petersburg
refuse absolutely to credit the news
from Toxic and are clutching at the
belief that perhaps it is not official.
The government undoubtedly fears
the effect of the news of the disaster
upon the country as evidence of which
Governor General Trepoff has taken
personal charge of the censorship in
st. Petersburg.
Peace demonstrations are generally
expected. although, pending the de-
cision of the government with regard
to the opening of negotiations, it is
impossible to predict what stand the
anti-government forces may take.
Fighting Bob Talks of the Battle.