The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-06-02

st. Petersburg, May so, 1:lJ Il. H.
After waiting vainly all day and even
ing for direct news from the scattered
remnants Of Vice Admiral Ro~jestyen-
sky'S destroyed and beaten feet, the
Russian admiralty at midnight no
longer attempted to hold out against
the overwhelming evidence pouring in
from all directions that the fleet on
which all their hopes were centered
had suffered a greater disaster than
did the combined French and Spanish
fleets at Trafalgar.
More bitter events than defeat is
the japanese claim OF the virtual ami
Imitation of lie russian fleet, with
practically no loss on their SIDE and
many officers clnging dossediy 10 the
belief that Vice Admiral logo must
have suffered heavily.
With every sal Of Rear Admiral
NeDogatoff's reinforcing division either
sent to the bottom or forced 10 strike
the flag, and only six Of Rojestvensky's
original fighting ships absent from the
list Of vessels sunk OF captured, and
with the japanese pursuit still contin-
uing, no naval authority has the te-
merity to dream that Russia can again
attempt to wrest the mastery of the
sea from Japan in the present war.
The captured warships alone will
furnish Japan with ready reinforce
ments which will be more than a
match for the fourth Pacific squadron
now about to sail from Cronstadt.
The Emperor was completely pros
trated by the news and, according to
reports, he broke down and wept.
The effect of the disaster will be n
terrible blow to the government. The
futility of trying to stagger on on land
is everywhere recognized and the cry
for peace at any price" is sure to be
raised. This time it is believed the
government cannot resist such a cry.
Indeed, the radical-liberals are open
ly rejoicing in this hour of their
ccuntry's humiliation. They declare
that the disaster means peace and a
constitution and that the deaths of
thousands of their fellow c%ountrymen
and the loss of over a hundred millions
of dollars worth Of warships is not too
big a price to pay.
The friends of peace in the govern
ment are already r~eprOaching the war
party with forcing the Issue between
Togo and Roiestvensky. When the
feet appeared in the Strait Of Malacca
they tried vainlv TO pursuade the en-
neror tllat the time was oppOrtune for
h opening of peace NEGOTIATIONS. but
the war party convinced his majesty.
and R~oiestvensky, for the honor of the
raw. insisted that the fleet should be
~i~on 4 chance to retrieve the disasters
suffered on land.
DIPLOMATS entertain no doubt that
the b%elligerent faction will continue to
nrge that the war be fought to the
bitter end. but the friends of Russia
ahroad. and ~especiallv France, are
row bringing overwhelming arguments
to hear in favor of peace.
The Associated Press has excellent
reason to believe that the Russian gov
eminent in this crisis will turn to NJ.
DelCasse, the French foreign minister,
in whose ability and in whose LOYALTY
as Russia's friend the emperor and his
ministers have implicit confidence.
Some time ago it appeared likely that
President Roosevelt would play n big
role in the peace negotiations. but now
his share is apt TO he determined 0y
NJ. DelCasse's decision. The latter
may. Of course, consider it wise to
place the negotiations i'm President
Roosevelt's hands.
The war party. now ever. will irs's.
y - thew did after the battle nf
MEaien- that peace is impossible on
fte h.cls of defeat The members IF
ills faction are already p~roclairniny
that n. disaster in nowise alters tn"
situation or land. Lieutenant: General
.T:navitch having nrepared his plans
as II the feet did not exist.
The censorship is taking the posi-
ten that II is imnroper TO accept the
'o~~ac<e rcr; arts TN the absence OF If
fetal news. and has forbidden fhe
~.71;~ot,~- os foreign DISPATCHES Civ
Ing details of the defeat. Nevertheless
r.~-s ~ he "eaonitudc of the disaster
sp:ead like wilfire throughout the city.
cra 80 --nfn F@c's were er1hellished
in picturesque detail notwithstanding
80 o~e,ioi s~~s'n-atinn The admiralty
is without reports Of the defeat. Pri-
v~te oSvi~es arc said re have reachad
the city from Valdivnstok. according
.s--@ pasce-vanrtv is alive but fhat
he lad a narrow escape. He said 10
--a f-~~-Sf0~ra5 his Fac from s,,..
Kn.az Souvaroff ia one Of the hattie
srins subsequently sunk and that n.
WIS wounded and picked W by a tor
tncdo boat
4 large portion of the officers AMI
sailors OF the feet were residents OF