PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 88, 14 April 1905, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

♦ 1 Tho British cruisers ordered to Singapore, on their way south from Hongkong pusstHl tho Baltio fleet — including seven battleships — on Tuosday morning, 650 miles north-east of Singapore. Tho Russian had therefore travorsod 250 miles north-east sinco last -©ported, and ns his course was then north, it seems that ho was bearing up for Saigon. Though it was reported from ono quarter yostorday that tho third squadron ot tho Baltic fleet had not reached further than tho Ctulf of Adon, it is baliovod at St. Petersburg that it will join tho main fleet in ton dnys. Tho timo is short, but it would bo too long for Roishdestvonsky to remain at Saigon without raising, j and in 11 probably acute form, tho thorny question of the rights of a bdlig- | prcnt in a neutral port. Possibly Russia will not box a verso to strain the benevolent neutrality of her ally at Saigon as she did at (Madagascar ; but at tho 1 latter place /logo was not lying in wait outside ready to clear his decks for action. The English, French, American, and Dutch naval squadrons aro all on tho alert In tho neighbourhood, aud any undue straining of the law of neutrals in tho intor«at« of Russia may provoke complications that would bo vory acceptable to tho latter Power in her present distracted s'tato. It may bo hero noted that four largo steamers, supposed to be Russian colliore, jyasswl Singaporo on Wednesday : they should fall an cusy prey to -Togo's cruisers. Tho particulars of woight and armament of tho respoctivo fleets, ns likoly to bo engaged, telegraphed to-day, will bo road with interest. In tonnage of battleships, tho Russian is superior, but in fast and offectivo cruisers Togo has a moro than compensating advnntago, while it may bo added, in destroyers and t-orpedoers there is no comparison. It is a curious inversion of tho common order of things thut in Russia I hero are many who would woleomo tho defeat of 'her fleet, nnd moro remarkable that tho fortune of war and tho tyranny of tho Romanoff should havo alliod tho cause of the little, brown men of tho Far East to that of Russian freedom. In Manchuria, Nogi, with 30,000 men, has sot out to cut the Russian communications, but in what direction, whether south nr west of K'harbin, is not stated. As he was reported ten days ago as bciiijj in command of tho centre of tho fighting line, it may he assumed that his operations aro being directed against the railway immediately north ol tho main position. This week wo had word that Linovitch wtis directing a strong force, that ho can ill spare, to strengthen t'hc Vladivostok garrison, showing his apprchpnsion of attack in force. To-dny Chinese spies Teport that largo Japanese forces are inarching on tho place. Tho routo of this army still remains obscuro, but it is worth noting that if tho Baltic fleet should (gain tho liavon of Vladivostok, ib may bo to find Vhat, liko Port Arthur, it wiU be invested from both land nnd soa. It is quito possible* that Togo may consider this tlio least risky game, but much will depend upon tho rusult of tho earning bat-tlo in Manchuria. If the general plan hinges upon this, Oyama sliould presonUy Torco tho fighting. Arrangements Wiat wero being uuulo to hold a Dental Conference in Wellington during Easter week have lapsed, and the dato of mooting has been set forward to the middle of Juno.