Arizona republican., 1905-04-25
The Impending Battle.

For more than a week the Russian and Japanese fleets have been within six hundred miles of each other. The assembled Japanese navy at last ac- counts was at the southern end Of the island of Formosa. and the Russians were at Kamranh Bay, to the west ward It seems that ROjestvensky was driven out of the French waters last Saturday. pursuant to the indignant protests made to France by Japan. and since any reliable news of the Japan ese navy was received Togo has had ample time to sail within striking dis tance of the Russians. Whether he has left his base is one of the unknown problems. Any hour. however, may bring news of the most mOmentous naval battle in the history of the world.
 The world has lost sight of the op- erations of the armies in Manchuria while almost breathlessly awaiting the meeting of the fleets. Indeed. there Is reason to believe that Linevitch and Oyama, learning that conflict on the sea was imminent, have tacitly agreed 
 ships has taken place.
 Japan has infinitely more at stake than has Russia. The Russian fleet might be totally destroyed and Russia might still continue the war indeh- niteIy. She can continue to furnish troops and supplies to Linevitch and Kuropatkin over the Trans Siberian
 
 troyed, Japan would be helpless. even should Rojestvensky's ships go down at the same time. Russia has still an- other fleet on the way to eastern wa 4ers, and with this fleet she would com mand the seas and have Japan at her mercy. Japan's army of half a million soldiers fin Manchuria and Korea would be cut off from their base of supplies. It is to be taken for granted that Jap an, foreseeing this possible conting- ency, has hurried supplies in great quantities for storage on the Liao- Tung peninsula, but with her fleet des- troyed Japan would be compelled to crush the Russian army within few months or sue for peace. And of course. Russia under these circumstances would play a waiting game and avoid Q decisive battle If possible. The situ- ation has been tersely stated by Ad- miraI Dewey:
 ''If Togo Is beaten all the money and the lives that have been spent by his coun Try in Manchuria will go for noth- ing. The Russians, in command of the sea. would cut off commun ications be tween Japan and the mainland, and 4he Japanese would be powerless Think what Japan would give for three or four more battleships at this mo- ment! Her national safety would be secure"
 The admiraTs statement was made for the purpose of pointing out the i'm measurable value of a strong navy, but he f-as not ovardrawn the facts as tc Japan's critical situation. It is to be assumed, to be sure, that the chances favor a victory for Togo. His officers and men are better trained. their gun nery is undoubtedly superior to th' gunnery of the Russians. and his ship will have greater speed in maneuver ing. But the element of chance Is no to be overlooked in estimating the re- suit of a naval battle. A Russian shell no matter how poorly aimed, or a Rus sian torpedo, may put Japanese bat tIeship out of action. Japan only hs' five first class battleships at the begin ming of the war, and one of them. tn IIatsuse, was sunk by a floating min off Port Arthur. The remaining fOnr which 1t is assumed, are all with To eo's fleet now, are the Mikasa. hsahi Shikishima and Fuji. Opposed to thcs Rojestveusky is credited with possess ing seven battleships of the first class the Kniaz Souvaroff. Alexander Il