The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-14
JAP RAID FOR BALTIC
Peace Must Be Declared or Nippon Will
Surprise Russia.

surprise Russia.
New York Sun Special Service.
New York, Aug. 14.-While Baron
Komura and Sergius de Witte study each
other across a table in the Portsmouth
navy yard, there is growing suspicion
that Japan is preparing a startling sur
prise for Russia in the event Of con-
tinued .hostilities.
An analysis Of the naval situation has
been made by a naval expert who is
forbidden by the president to discuss
international affairs, but who consented
to point, out the strength of the two
nations on the sea under a promise that
his identify should not be disclosed. =
1t will be seen at once that Russia is
absolutely helpless to prevent Japan
from ravaging her coasts and cutting
Selling her vessels in the Mediterranean.
But Europe might interfere. =" =
1t is said that the German emperor
would strongly interfere with a Japan
ese naval expedition in the Baltic.
Great Britain to Dip In. .,.e
Great Britain, however, is powerful
enough on the sea to insure German
neutrality should Japan decide to at
tack Russia s European coasts and
blockade the gulf Of Finland. And
Great Britain, the ally Of Japan, has
given many proofs of her desire to see
Russia crippled and humilated.1
Of course, should Great Britain re-
fuse to intervene, Germany backed bv
Sweden and Denmark, or even Germany
alone, would be able to prevent a Jap
anese feet from entering the Baltic sea.
But since Russia established a prec-
edent by sending her Baltic warships
to fight Japan in Asiatic waters, it is
difficult to see on what grounds any
power could object to a reversal of that
operation.
And it is more than probable that
Great Britain, whose coaling stations
lie all along the route between Japan
and the Baltic, would Off as many IA
cilities for coaling, repairing and pro-
visioning to Japanese naval force on
it's way to attack Russia in Europe as
France afforded to Roiestvensky' fleet
only few months ago. =
Togo May Make the Dash.
1t is even possible that Admiral Togo
and his recklessly brave officers might
be able to train their guns on St. Peters
burg in spite Of the batteries of Kron-
stadt. -
But it is certain that in month, or
even week, Togo could destroy or
capture hundreds Of millions Of dol
lars worth OF Russian property along
the Baltic sea. -,
Leaving out of consideration the
seaports Of Finland, it is only neces-
sary to remember the enormous wealth
exposed to an enemy in such Baltic
ports as Riga, Windau, Pernau, Libau
and Narva. y s:ss
The new Russian naval harbor at
Libau alone cost $3O,OOO,0OO.
The reluctance Of Russia to send her
To hn for oo4 L,
mysterious delays in the preparation
Of Roj estvensky''s ships and the sud
den strengthening Of the Baltic forts
before the fleet steamed away for
Asia, show that the Russians must
have realized that should Rovestven-
sky be defeated, their European coast
and entire sea commerce would be at
the mercy Of Japan. >
Bankers Feared Jap Raid.
Is it not probable that it was this
| obvious opportunity for Japanese
naval expedition against European
Russia, that caused the French bank
ers-who have already foated at least
$1,8so0,0o0,o00 of Russian securities,
ested in helping. their ,creditor--to
decline the recently proposed Russian
loan of $l25,000,O 0O9
With Japanese feet in the Baltic,
would not the oppressed people Of Fin
land rise against the czar7
Would the. revolutionary masses Of
Poland remain passive while Togo $
guns were raking the shores of the
Baltic and the Gulf Of Finland and
hosting the Japanese flag over Rus
sian seaports9
What would the working men Of ST..
Petersburg braved the Cossacks
in front Of the winter palace-do if
What would happen in the crowded
revolutionary centers everywhere in