New-York tribune., 1905-04-18
TIE FLEEa,S PROGRESS.


Admiral Rojestvenaiy's fleet is evidently
making progress. Though just how rapidly
does not convincingly appear DISPATCHES are
varied. If not contradictory. We are told a con-
siderable part Of the fleet anchored and took
supplies last week in Kamranh BAY That
is in Anam. about two hundred miles northeast
of Saigon. at the pOiIn where the coast line
bulges out furthest TO the east and into the
China Sea. The ships We're there on Friday
Again we are told that Sunday part of the
feet was seen at TurOn Bay. That is more
than three hundred miles further up the An
amese coast near Hue just south of the en-
trance TO the Guf of TOHquin. A third re
port is that Frilay night g feet was seen
in latitude Il north, Steaming nOIthward That
was little north OS TurOn Bay, between the
Anamese coast and the Paracel Islands Still
another story. which seems ineredible is that
n part OF the Russian fleet has entered hay
in Chinese waters nOrthward Of Hong Kong
We can scarcely believe any ships could have
got mp there soon. or could have reached
the FOkien Strait without meeting the jap
anese. Finally. hear of a strong squadron
OF cruisers steaming sOuthwsrd near Bombay
Reef their nationality not being disclosed
Bombay Reef is in latitude 10 north, about
three hundred miles due east from Turon Bay
Russian ships in that region would scarcely be
headed south, unless they were in retreat but
Japanese ships might be there on such a course.
aiming for the Russian rendezvous at KAN
ranh Bay. Ali the points named indicate that
the fleets keeping gDOd distance from
Philippine waters.
The neutrality question is raised again. over
the visit of the Russian ships to French colo
NAL waters. and there are expectations that
Japan viii make some representations to France
about il. 1t viii scarcely be disputed that
Kamranh Bay is French. So were the waters
of Madagascar. yet the Russians stayed in
them as long as they pleased. The waters of
Anam are so much nearer the scene Of war,
however that their use by the Russians would
be a much more serious matter, which we
should hardly expect Japan to overlook. But
there are several circumstances 10 be taken
into account. One is the terms of Frances
neutrality proclamation in this war, and the
length Of time granted to belligerent ships in
French waters. which may be only twenty four
hours or may be twenty-fOuF years. Another
is the distance of the Russian ships from the
shore. They may have been in neutral waters,
or they may have remained just outside them,
and yet have been IN the bay. A third is the
question whether they were there with or with
out the knowledge and consent OF the French
authorities and fourth is whether or not the
japanese are similarly privileged to enter
French waters.
ured a number Of cOlliers on the Anamese coast.
1t would be interesting 20 know just what col
liers they were. They may have been members
Of ROJestVensky's feet. or they may have been
cOlliers from Hong Kong or Shanghai going
down TO meet him. The latter suppOsitiOn
seems the more probable. because the colliers
OF his feet could scarcely have been captured
without some contact between their captOrs
and the Russian fighting ships. The loss Of
them 20 ROjestvensky must in either case be
considerable. II they were from Chinese ports
coming down to meet him, We must assume that
the supplies of coal carried by his feet are
running low. If so, he is in danger. If the
japanese could manage 20 keep him from get
ting more coal, time would bring them certain
victory, for just as soon as their bunkers were
empty the Russian ships would be ''as idle as
a painted ship upon a painted ocean," unable
TO manosuvFe or even 10 use their guns. Before
falling into such a plight IL is 20 be assumed
the Russians would seek asylum, even If it in
vOlved internment in some neutral port 1t Is
quite conceivable that the japanese may con-
duct a waiting campaign, in the hope Of ex-
hausting the Russians supplies OF fuel. At any
rate the question OF coal is undoubtedly one
OF the most important that confront the Russian
commander.