The Washington times., 1905-04-11
Roaestvensky and Togo.

While all the world looks on, with
eyes focused on the Orient, in the ex-
pectation of hearing almost any hour
that the greatest sea battle of history
has been fought, what are the hopes
and fears that actuate the men behind
the guns? This seems to be one of
the great points ON which the outcome
of the struggle will depend.
Admiral Togo's fleet has been hunt
ing for al opportunity to attack the
enemy. Admiral Rogestvensky's yes
sells have been hesitating and maneu-
vering near Madagascar until the
men must have fallen to wondering
whether they were ever to see other
waters. Decision, eagerness, and skill
have characterized the japanese adj
miral and his men. Indecision, delay,
and untried abilities have been ali
that the Russian admiral has shown
up to this time.
1t matters not, in this analysis,
whether Rogestvensky was hampered
by contradictory orders from ST.
Petersburg from time to time or was
himself responsible for the delay. 1t
remains the fact that the men under
him must have become depressed in
spirit by the lack of resolute deter
mination on the part of their supe-
riors, and that this has been increas-
ing every passing day. And more
than this, it appears that the Russian
commander-in-chief himself entertains
great deal of doubt as to his own
ability to cope with the much herald
ed Togo, the Japanese watchdog of
the sea-
Dividing ones fleet in the face of
the enemy does not strike the casual
observer as the best means of winning
victory against a strong opponent.
Surely the Russian admiral would not
do it without purpose In view of the
appalling failure of Vice Admiral
Alexieff, at the opening of the war,
in disposing some of his vessels at
Port Arthur. others at Vladivostok,
and third portion at Chemulpo, the
parceling out of ones strength is not
a plan which should recommend itself
again to Admiral Rogestvensky-pre-
vided he intends to fight a battle
where the Japanese want him to fight
That seems to be the main point
aow, in view of the dispatches saying
the principal Russian fighting ships
were not in the great squadron which
passed through Malacca Strait a few
days ago. Where they are in reality
has not yet been explained; but 1t
must be presumed that they have
been sent ahead southwark, around
Sumatra, perhaps, to go through the
Straits of 6unda- Separating his
great battleships from the rest Of the
fleet cannot fail to convey the impress
sion that Rogestvensky is not hunting
Togo as Togo is hunting him, but
that if he can elude the keen Japanese
scouts he purposes trying a race for
the north and putting it up to the
japanese admiral to catch him.
For seadog who has been eating
up the enemy in half portions, as il
were, with an ever Unsuitable appetite
for more, Togo may be depended upon
to show some good results from his
ocean terriers in such an event. But
ii the Russians are intent upon play
ing a see-saw, hide-and-go-seek game
around and about the Philippines in
the effort to gain the support of the
small Vladivostok squadron, what viii
become of the predictions now Sc
freely made about the greatest sea
battle of modern times?" The chances
are that Rogestvensky plans to avoid
if possible. what Togo seeks-a plair
out-and-out sea fight in which the
Japanese may have opportunity t.
spread their net of submarine mine.
and then drive the enemy upon them
while themselves remaining distan
enough not to risk putting the islanC
empire in jeopardy should the battl.
have the least tinge of japanese de
feat