New-York tribune., 1905-04-13
RuMORS OF RATTLE

There are reports OF conflict between the
rival heets in the South China Sea, which may
or may not be verified. What we know is that
the Russian feet is there. 1t is all there. The
tales Of Rojestvensky's missing battleships,
which he had shrewdly sent by some other
route, are now categOrcally denied, and all the
fancifu plans which masters Of imaginative
strategy had evolved out Of them have vanished
into thin air. What we do not know is the
whereabouts Of the japanese feet Some of it's
scouts are near the Russians They seem t.
pop up in all seas wherever they may be need
ed But where the battleships and armored
cruisers are is another matter, which nobody
just seems quite able to find out. Togo
knows, and we may be sure the answer to the
question is just what that cOnsummate master
Of sea fighting wants it to be. Whether they
are lurking behind Natuna, or at the Bashees
or the PescadOres, or away up among the Loo
Choos, his ships are where he has planned for
them to be, and they will be at the appointed
place OF battle, whether the battle is now, in
Nan-Hai, or is to be hereafter, in Tung- Hal.
There are several things TO be considered in
connection with Togo's selection Of the battle
ground. We have already explained why he
prefers an open sea to a narrow strait. It may
be that for much the same reasons he will pre-
fer prOtracted, running fight to a general en-
gagement at close quarters. History reminds
us Of the effective tactics Of the English in
dealing with Spain's great fleet invincible,"
and 1t is to be observed that a comparison be-
tween the Japanese and Russian fleets is siml-
lar to one between Howard's and SidOnia's in
kind, though. OF course, in very different de
gree. That is to say, the Russians are much
the stronger in heavy battleships, while the
japanese excel in light swift cruisers. 1t is
conceivable, therefore, that Togo will avoid n
general engagement, but will hang upon the
6oT,l-r Of Tho tie
northward striking at it's individual ships at
every opportunity and gradually wearing its
strength away without giving it n chance to
strike effectively back. In such a campaign
the Russians would be terribly handicapped by
the presence of their great hOtilla OF merchant
men, transports and GOLFERS entirely defence
less in themselves, yet to be protected in some
way, as vitally necessary to the fleet.
There are those who argue that Togo will, or
at any rate should, postpone the battle until the
Russians have reached the Eastern Sea, so that
he will be close to his own base Of supplies and
ports Of refuge in any Of his ships become
disabled. Doubtless there is something in that
view Of the case. At the same time Togo
questiOnably wants 10 attack before the Rus
slams have chance TO send part Of their feet
into some neutral harbOr. We have referred to
the handicap Of the merchantmen and supply
ships. Now Rojestvensky is filling his fighting
plies. When that is done he will have no fur
theri use for the supply ships for some time and
1t would be an immeasurabIe blessing to him
to be able TO send them into Saigon or some
other place where they would be safe, and thus
have his fighting ships left free Of caring for
those helpless ones. We may be pretty sure
Togo realizes that feature Of the case and is
guarding against any such move. For that rea-
son the report Of japanese ships of the coast
IL.
plausible. Stationed there. they would be able
to shut the Russians out Of the ports they seek.
or at least TO compel them to fight their way in
II they got in at ALL 1t has seemed essential
for it's own welfare for the Russian feet to
keep together. That was true the voyage
from the Baltic TO Singapore. But now 1t is
equally true that its thus being together at the
scene Of conflict is one Of its most serious ele-
ments Of weakness. In any event, however, we
are likely soon to see one Of the most interest
ing and important naval conflicts the world has
known for a hundred years