The Oskaloosa herald., 1905-04-13
BIG SEA BATTLE
PROBABLY NEAR
RUSSIAN FLEET OF FIFTY-oNE
VESSELS PASSES SINGAPORE.
JAP SHIPS IN CLOSE TOUCH
Squadrons Only Few Miles Apart
and Engagement Which May De-
eide Mastery of the Seas
Is Imminent.

LONDON, April 1O.--1le long expected
battle between the fleets of Togo and
Rojestvensky, which will carry with it
the control of the sea and settle The fate
OF Russia so far as further progress OF
the war is concerned, is at hand, and
here and in all the capitals of Europe
news Of the outcome is anxiously
awaited.
The battle will be fought in the China
sea. This is more certain by the news
from Singapore that the Russian fleet
has passed that port steering in north
eastward direction. Once in the China
sea, Rojestyensky will have to fight.
His instructions, based on his action in
entering the China sea, show that he
was ordered to make for Vladivostok.
Few believe that this can be accom-
plished, and the admiralty experts de-
clare he has deliberately entered
trap from which there can be no es-
cape. Togo for monshs past has been
cruising in and near the Straits OF
Malacca, with scouts covering a wide
range and in constant communication
with him by wireless telegraph and
A
ance, naval experts believe, that battle
has not been given sooner.
Togo's Plan Revealed.
Togo's plan, as interpreted here, indi<
Gates an intention to get behind the Rus
sian fleet when it is once fairly in the
China sea, and then run it down. Ro-
jestvensky's squadron is incapable of
no of ha
long voyage. Their bottoms are foul,
and fast speed is impossible. Togos
feet, on the contrary, is in the best pos
sible condition, the boats having been
thoroughly overhauled and cleaned
after the capture of Port Arthur. Be-
sides this, Rojestvensky is hampered by
the large number of Golfers accompany
ing him, and which must be protected at
all hazards.
Togos fleet, from the best informa-
ton available, is supposed to be off the
northwest coast of Borneo, and in po-
sition to move quickly as strategic ex-
igencies demand.
South from Vladivostok somewhere is
the feet Of Admiral Kamimura, which
months ago destroyed the remnants OF
the Russian navy in Japanese waters.
Nothing has been heard of his where
ahouts, but it is safe to assume that 1t
is acting in conjunction with Togo and
will be heard from at the proper time.
Comparison of Fleets.
Ship for ship and in weight of metal
Rojestvensky's fleet is superior Against
this the trained seamanship and bet
ter craftsmanship of the japanese and
the corps d'esprit and confidence begot-
ten of long series Of Victories On
the other hand. the Russians have been
under a constant strain from the mo-
ment of leaving the Baltic seas for the
long journey. The reports about the
numbers of the Russian ships vary, but
at any rate 35 battleships, cruisers. col
Hers and torpedo boats have passed the
port of Singapore. The Japanese squad
ron, reported off Horstburg light March
IA, consists of % ships. -.
Togo Between Two Fires.
st. Petersburg, April 10.-There is
reason to believe that Vice Admiral Ro-
jestvensky's entrance into the China
sea has been followed by orders for the
cruisers Gromoboi, Rossia and Botatyr,
which have been ready for some time at
yrVladivostok, to put to sea. Whether it
is the intention to send them south i'm.
mediately or to hold them in the vicin-
fly of Vladivostok is not known. Their
appearance outside the roadstead OF
Vladivostock would constitute a poten.
tial threat against Admiral Togo's
rear which will compel the retention il
or dispatch of number of heavy fight
ing ships to Japanese waters. Thus Ad.
miral Togo seems to be virtually he
tween two fires.
Time for the Olive Branch.
The peace influences in the govern
ment urge that this favorable stategiC
position presents the psychological mo,
ment for offering officially the olive
branch to Japan, reasoning tha
no matter how confident the Jap
Rnese government may be of To
COS victory, it cannot overlook
the possibility of defeat, nor fail to ap
preciate the complete disaster which
would follow the transfer of the mas
terry of the sea to Russia. With so much
depending upon the issue, they argue
both countries have mutual interests il
avoiding an actual test, and it is not i'm
possible therefore that new move IL
the direction of peace may come jus
as the world expects to hear the call tt
quarters for the greatest naval battl,
Of modern times. Certainly the spirits
of the war party have been great!
raised by Rojectvensky's success IL
penetrating to the China sea; and tn,
prospect of naval battle, even with tn,
odds against Russian victory which
would change the entire complexion o
the situation has aroused semethin,
like flash of enthusiasm in many Rus
sian breasts.
Squadron Passes Singapore.
Singapore, April -Fifty-one shipso
vice Admiral Rojestvensky's second Pa
ciflc squadron passed here Saturday
The most important fighting vessels o
the squadron, including the battleship