The Baltic Fleet.

Manawatu Herald, 20 August 1904, Page 2

The Baltic Fleet.

A cablegram from London, yesterday states that there is again a probability of the Baltic fleet Sailing for the Ear East, It is said that the squadron will include the battleships Oslabya, 12,674 tons; Borodino, 13,600 tons; Alexander 111, 18,600 tons; Navarin, 10,000 tons; Sissoi Veliky, 8,800 tons; Alexander 11, 8,440 tons; 2 armoured cruisers, 3 protected and 30 torpedo boats. Eleven colliers carrying 66,000 tons of coal'have sailed from the Baltic to take up appointed stations on the route. This amount of coal should be more than ample for the journey. It is estimated that the coal consumption will range, from 6,000 tons in the case of a battleship to 8,500 in that of a cruiser. There will, however, be some trouble in coaling the warships at sea. The process is always slow and difficult, even under favourable conditions and in rough weather it is practically impossible. This, and the fact that the vessels composing the squadron vary considerably in their speeds will prevent the making of a quick, passage. Competent authorities, however, are confident that the Pftltio fieet will

never reach the Far East at all. Despite the strenuous eftorts that have been made to put the ships into sea-going order, they are still in a very imperfect condition, and owing to the Russian dockyards being ill provided with the necessary equipment, there seems to be little likelihood of the necessary repairs being effected for some time to come. If the Russian Government insist on the fleet undertaking the voyage in its present unseaworthy state, there will probably be a few breakdowns, or perhaps wrecks, before it reaches its destination. Even allowing that the fleet succeeds in making the journey without mishap, the combined Japanese squadrons should be more than a match for it. Moreover, by the time the Russians reach Eastern waters, all Russian ports will be ice-bound, and as Russia has herself declared coal to be contraband of war, the bunkers of the fleet will be limlblo to be replenished at neutral ports. Added to this, there is a possibility of the Baltic squadron being needed at home. Russia’s high-handed policy may lit Arty moment Involve her in a struggle with one or more of the European Powers, and with no navy in the Baltic, the consequences for Russia WoUld bo disastrous in the extreme. All theSe things Conspire to make it improbable that the Baltic fleet will ever attempt its much talked of voyage. It has been so often stated that the fleet was about to sail, that pending further information, this last announcement must be regarded drily as rt pie'ce of the diplomatic bluff for which the Russian Government is notorious.