The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1905-06-02

Togo POunces Upon Rojestvensky in
the Straits of Korea and An a
initiates Squadron.

SoPohVoS pursuit SlilA COhllhuAhSy 10
naval authority has the temerity to
dream that Russia can again attempt
to wrest the mastery of the sea from
japan In the present war. The cap
tured vessels alone will furnish ia
pan with ready-made reinforcements.
which win be more than a match for
the fourth Pacific squadron now about
to sail from Crons;adt The emperor
was completely prostra:Sd by the
news, and, according to reports, he
broke down and wept.
The effect Of the disaster will be
terrible blow to the government.
The futlllty OF trying to stageer on.
on land. is everywhere recognized,
and the cry for peace at any price"
Is sure TO be raised. This time, II
is believed. the government cannot
resist 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 q constitution, and that
the deaths of thousands OF their fell
low-countrymen and the loss Of over
hundred million dollars forth OF
warships is not too big q 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 tae
fleet appeared in the strait OF Malacca
they tried yalnly to persuade the en-
peror that the time was opportune
for the opening OF peace negotiations.
but the war party convinced his mai
esty and Rojestvensky, for the honor
of the navy, insisted that the feet
should be given chance to retrieve
the disasters suffered on land.
Diplomats entertain no doubt that
the belligerent faction will continue
to urge that the war be fought to the
bitter end. but the friends o. Russia
abroad, and especially France, are now
bringing overwhelming arguments to
bear In favor Of peace.
Japs Rejoice Greatly.
The news of Togo's great Victory
over Rojestvensky set all japan In
a wild delirlum OF Joy. While there
never has been doubt in the minds
Of the people OF the ability OF Togo
TO smash the Russians when they
met, the long delay and impenetrab:e
secrecy maintained had Caused a con-
iItIon OF nervous tension, which has
now given way TO uncOncealed ella.
lion, which grows as the magnitude
Of the victory becomes apparent.
The last doubt Of complete Japanese
success has been removed by Togo's
victory, and It is said. on
high authority, that the land opera.
ions will be pushed with great vigor
low, and an effort Will be made, with.
rat delay, to cut OF the entire Rus.
iIan army IN Manchuria.
List Of ships sunk.
In tho battle fought Saturday In
he Strait of Korea, the Russian bat.
leships Borodino and Alexander III,
he armored cruisers Admiral Naka.
lir, Dmltri Donskol and Vladimir
the coast defense iron
lad Admiral Oushakoff. the protect.
"a cruisers Svetlana and Jemoitu.
hig, the repair ship Kamchatka and
he cruiser lrtessn were sunk.
The battleshlps Orel and Nicholal
and the coast defense iron clads
ADMIRAL senIayin and General Admi-
al UpraXtle we're captured
According 20 later advlces. the lap
nese, In addition 10 the ships A.,
eady named, captured the Russian
attleship Sissoi NellEy and the Rps.
ian flagship was seriously damaged.
Reports were current on the s;risk
xchanSe In London purrort!ng TO ne
rom authoritative private sources
hat Admiral Roles yensky's private
hip, Kniaz souv>ron, was among he
essels sunk, ana that the Japanese
we're following up the Russians and
tcklng or their ships one by enc
oreRteot Since Trafalgar.
4 dispatch from Berlin. GermaRy,
avs; Naval critics In the evening as.
ers accept, without reserve. the ais.
atchcs from Toxic and build on tlen
he view that the war has entered
pom the las. phase In which the
4 pnnese command OF the sea VIII
ontlnue unthreatened until the end.
The battle OF Saturday is called the
reatest feet action for hundred