FOOTNOTES:[13]This is the torpedo-boat which took the admiral and his staff when theSuvaroffsank in the battle of Tsushima.[14]Cabbage soup.
[13]This is the torpedo-boat which took the admiral and his staff when theSuvaroffsank in the battle of Tsushima.
[13]This is the torpedo-boat which took the admiral and his staff when theSuvaroffsank in the battle of Tsushima.
[14]Cabbage soup.
[14]Cabbage soup.
March 23rd(morning).—Yesterday the following message was received from the captain of theTerek: "The crew will not disperse after prayers, and demand that the first lieutenant should be changed. The latter requests to be taken off the ship's books. I consider the crew in the wrong." What? A mutiny? The last sentence is specially characteristic.
The fleet has increased speed. We are entering the straits of Malacca, and have said good-bye to the Indian Ocean. Two oceans successfully passed! What will the third bring us? The island of Pulo Way is close, but not yet visible.
During the day the shores of a small island were to be seen on the horizon, lying off the island of Sumatra. This is the first land which we have seen since leaving Nosi Be. For twenty days we have seen no land at all.
It is difficult to remain in one's cabin, owing to the heat. No other place is convenient for writing.
The ship is in darkness everywhere. This has been done purposely, in order that when the men have to rush hurriedly on deck they will be accustomed to the darkness. The battleshipOreldelayed the speed of the fleet for two hours. One of her principal steam-pipes burst, and she could not steam. Now it is repaired. We are at present in a wide part of the straits. God forbid that a similar thing should happen in the narrows, or during the battle.
Since seven o'clock till the present moment I have been on the bridge, hesitating to go below. Nevertheless, I am satisfied—satisfied because we are moving towards the finale.
March 24th.—Yesterday we lost four hours of the twenty-four. This is bad. In order to pass through the dangerous parts by day we shall have to remain in the straits an extra day. The sooner we pass the straits of Malacca and Singapore the better.
I am surprised at myself. I am in no way disturbed. Knowing that at any moment any night we may be attacked, I continue to sleep peacefully. I go to bed undressed. I go to sleep quickly, and think little about the danger. My servant is dissatisfied.He bothers me to hide my things. He has not found a convenient place for them, and it troubles him. Though I know of a good place, I am silent. He is probably beginning a removal. I shall have to sort out my clothes, and I do not want to.
It is raining and gloomy.
This morning there were two water-spouts, but I did not see them, although I got up at seven.
The torpedo-boatBiedovyreported that in the morning a sailor was found lying motionless on deck. It was concluded that he was dead. They asked permission to bury him at once. The staff delayed the answer. Suddenly it was discovered that he was alive. A nice thing if they had thrown him alive into the sea!
One of the officers in theSuvaroffwas playing with the dog yesterday. The dog grew very tired, and suddenly began to bark furiously, rushed on deck, and bit the other dogs. They poured water over it, but to no purpose. It jumped into the stern gallery, and then overboard, and was drowned. The two dogs which were bitten were tied up, as they may possibly go mad.
We have been some time in the straits of Malacca, but up to the present have not met a single steamer. At night sometimes lights are visible, and once byday smoke was seen on the horizon. It was hardly perceptible. Before the storm there is calm. It may be so now. A signal has been made that at night officers are not to sleep away from the guns they command. The crew have been sleeping at their guns for some time past. Every precaution is taken against a night attack of torpedo-boats.
We have begun to meet several steamers. They very wisely get out of their way in good time.
A heavy squall has just gone by. Until then the sea was as calm as a mirror.
The officers are distributing pots with powders for extinguishing fires, and bags containing bandages. I do not believe in fire-extinguishing powders.
The sailor about whose death there was a misunderstanding has been buried. Some one in the torpedo-boat read the appointed prayers, our priest with his cross blessed the deceased from afar, and the body was launched into the sea. How simple!
After dinner I spent three hours on the bridge with the captain. I had tea there. I asked him about Vladivostok and the life there, etc.
At noon to-day there were 2,100 more versts to Kamranh, which we can do in about seven days if there is no fight or other hindrance.
March 25th(day).—We met steamers all night, but they went aside out of our course.
The Hull incident has had its advantages. Last night we met several steamers. The searchlights were turned on them.
Admiral Enquist states that he, the captain, officers, and crew clearly saw a steamer, behind which twelve torpedo-boats were following. This can hardly be true. The Japanese are not so foolish as to show their torpedo-boats by day to an enemy's fleet. TheIsumrudreported that she saw a steamer followed by porpoises. She hesitates to say that they are submarines, but thinks they are.
We shall soon be in a very narrow part, where the fairway is far from wide. We are obliged to go by this fairway, as it is not possible to avoid it. Something horrible may happen in it. There may be submarine boats, or ground-mines, which they may place shortly before we pass, in order that other ships should not strike them. Mines can be put down so that at a given time they will sink themselves. The steamer that is shadowing us might easily do this. She is behaving suspiciously—now going fast, now stopping, now altering course. What is to prevent her from going on ahead, and laying down ground-mines in her wake?Even if our ships successfully evade the mines, they will in a certain period of time sink, and the straits will again be safe for neutral ships. It can all be done so simply and conveniently. Will the Japanese really allow such an opportunity to pass of damaging our fleet?
To-day there was mass. I did not go to church, but lay down. I wanted to go to sleep.
Another night, and the straits of Malacca will be behind us. The night is dark. At 4 a.m. we shall again be in a narrow fairway. We shall pass Singapore by day, and at six we shall enter the South China Sea. We shall pass the Natuna Islands, where the presence of the Japanese is suspected.
Do they intend to attack us in the straits of Malacca? By to-morrow evening this will be cleared up. Will they concentrate all their attention and their strength on the strait of Sunda, or east of it? Perhaps they do not want to undertake anything till the fleet enters the China Sea. The Japanese are enterprising. Why do they miss opportunities that are so favourable for them?
To-day we saw a long, narrow, even strip of land which was the Malay Peninsula. It is here that I again see the Asiatic Continent.
Some strange birds were flying round the ships.They were not gulls, nor albatrosses, or any other sea-bird.
March 26th(night).—At eleven o'clock we passed the town of Malacca. The lights of the town were distinctly visible. Of course, the lights of our ships are clearly seen in the town. When we were passing it a schooner appeared on the horizon, coming towards us. The searchlights were turned on to her. A torpedo-boat approached her, and conducted her past the fleet. It was a pretty sight. Her white hull and sails showed out clearly in the darkness. She passed close to the right column of battleships.
None of the officers has gone to bed to-night. I am thinking of going now. It might happen that we shall reach Vladivostok without meeting Japanese ships. It would be a great surprise for us all. The sea is wide, and there are many ways to that port. It is possible that our extreme course will be so successfully chosen that the Japanese will leave it unwatched.
Since the battle of Mukden we have had no news of what is going on at the theatre of war. As a matter of fact, we only had agency telegrams about the Mukden fight. Many people doubt their authenticity. I believe them. Up to the present all thatthe French agency telegrams have informed us of has proved true.
In a few hours we shall be in the China Sea.
The officers are enumerating various reasons why the Japanese did nothing while we were in the straits of Malacca. Perhaps they have prepared for a meeting in the Rio Strait, which we shall soon pass. Perhaps the English insisted on their not causing trouble by laying mines in the straits of Malacca, where there are considerable movements of merchant ships. Perhaps the Japanese fleet is waiting for us at the Natuna Archipelago. Fighting a battle there would be more advantageous for us, because our ships could manœuvre.
We shall see if anything happens to-night. Some people suppose that peace may have concluded. If that is the case, it is a very disgraceful peace. Russia can scarcely entertain it.
I did not leave my cabin until six o'clock to-day. Going on deck, I learnt the news that the Russian consul from Singapore approached the fleet in a tug, and told us that three weeks ago the Japanese fleet at its full strength came to Singapore, accompanied by twelve transports, floating workshops, hospitals, and torpedo-boats. From Singapore they went to Borneo.
Near Borneo is the small island of Labuan. The Japanese bought land from a Russian Jew, in this island, and made themselves at home there. They connected Labuan with Singapore by a telegraph-cable. By this means they could have received news of our movements yesterday. Their fleet at Labuan consists of twenty-two warships, not counting transports, hospital-ships, workshops, and torpedo-boats.
To-night a torpedo attack, and to-morrow a battle, are almost inevitable. I must put on clean clothes, and lay in a stock of wool so as not to be deafened by the firing.
I received an extract from the log. Such nonsense is written in it that I shall have to alter it.
It is past ten o'clock, and up to now all is quiet. The Japanese consider the 27th their lucky number. Perhaps they have postponed the battle to that date.
According to the consul the passage of our fleet through the straits of Malacca was a complete surprise to every one, including the Japanese. That accounts for our not having met with any resistance. The eyes of all were fixed in another direction.
Another ship has just met and passed the fleet. We turned searchlights on her and let her pass. At noon to-day we were about 1,500 versts from Kamranh. If there are no delays we can get there on March 30th.
Probably in this evening's telegrams is the news that our fleet has passed Singapore. We heard that Vladivostok and Harbin are still in our hands. Shall I go to bed, and if so shall I sleep? What if there is an attack? I have begun to look with equanimity on possible attacks and fights.
I do not think I shall lose my presence of mind during a battle, but shall remain calm. Soon I may put myself to the test.
Again the attention of the whole world is concentrated on the fleet. How much the war depends on its success or defeat! The hope of victory is small, but if it comes, everything will be changed at once. The faces of a good many lengthened a little when the proximity of the Japanese fleet was known. A conflict with it is unavoidable.
March 27th.—The night passed quietly. The fleet has stopped since this morning. Torpedo-boats are coaling. They had very little left, and it would not last to Kamranh. What of the Japanese? Do they not know the place where we are tobe found, and are they looking for us at sea? It is hardly likely.
Our course is clear—to the north from Singapore to Vladivostok. Perhaps they have gone ahead and are waiting somewhere. This is possible.
The question is being asked why the fleet does not go straight to Vladivostok, not calling at Kamranh. It would be easy to do this if the ships were filled up with coal for so great a distance. Coaling at sea when an attack is expected every minute is unwise and dangerous.
The torpedo-boats have filled up with coal and the fleet is proceeding. To-day there was mass. I stood thinking that perhaps this was the last service in theSuvaroff. Perhaps the next will be a requiem for the killed. We must expect and be prepared for everything.
7 p.m.—We have passed the island of Anamba. The admiral opines that we shall meet the Japanese fleet to-morrow. The sea is calm. There is a swell. The small ships roll. It is interesting to know what impression the news, that the fleet has passed Singapore, will produce in Petersburg. Where is the third fleet now? Will it join us at Vladivostok? Shall we await it at Kamranh? If we safely arrive at that bay, then the Japanesewill have to look after the Vladivostok cruisers, our ships, and the third fleet. They will have to divide their forces, and that would be an advantage for us. Can they not have left ships to watch Vladivostok? Is there ice there still? They say it usually breaks up at the beginning of April.
During the coming fight theOlegandAurorahave been ordered to support the battleships that are sustaining the fight. Some of the cruisers will remain to defend the transports, which ought to try and reach Kamranh.
At noon to-day we were rather more than 1,000 versts from it, and relatively closer to our final goal. Can it be that at the very last we shall be unsuccessful? All our troubles and deprivations will have been in vain. There are too many chances on the side of Japan. It is a good thing that we passed through the straits of Malacca. The Japanese evidently did not count on our taking such a risky step. The papers, continually writing about the strait of Sunda and our colliers which were assembled there, turned their attention from the straits of Malacca. The consul, however, stated that five submarines were waiting for us the way we came. If that was the case, why did they not attack?
March 28th.—All is quiet at present. Where are the Japanese? Why have they not attacked us? Perhaps they thought they might disable some of our ships with torpedos in the strait of Sunda. The large ships would then attack our weakened fleet to decisively destroy it. The whole scheme was upset as we did not go that way. Perhaps they are now cruising somewhere near Saigon awaiting us. Our idea is to go in to Kamranh, and wait there for the third fleet and those ships which leave Russia in the spring with theSlavaat their head.
We shall lie at Kamranh an endless number of days in inactivity, as we did at Nosi Be. We have already been twenty-six days at sea. Provisions are running short. We have taken to salt meat. At the admiral's table there is neither vodky, meat, nor coffee.
Following the general fashion, I intended to hide my things. I looked at my winter forage-cap and there it ended. I am lazy.
Our fleet has made an unusual voyage. If it succeeded in reaching Vladivostok without calling at Kamranh, the whole world would be amazed at the immensity and daring of the voyage.
10 p.m.—We have begun to receive telegraphicsigns. Possibly the Japanese cruisers are communicating with each other, seeking us.
Perhaps we shall not go to Kamranh after all. Colliers are due to arrive there on April 1st. We shall then receive our mails. This letter must be closed in good time. By my reckoning you will receive it at the end of April. By that time my fate and the fate of the fleet will be made clear.
March 29th.—South China Sea.
I sent a letter and telegram to you by the hospital-shipOrel, which is going to Saigon. She will be near there by dawn, if the Japanese have not attacked by that time. Then she will be obliged to take their sick and wounded, and receive orders from them. They will not sink her, as she is a Red Cross hospital. TheSuvaroffalone managed to send letters. The other ships did not even know that she was going to Saigon to-day. An invalid officer was sent on board theOrel. He could not walk on board, but was hoisted up by a derrick in a special chair. A little coffee was obtained from theOrelfor the admiral's table.
I overslept myself to-day, and only arose at nine o'clock.
It is a time of alarms. We constantly meet various steamers, principally under the Englishflag. TheOlegcontinually approaches to question them. This morning we met two English cruisers. One of them saluted, and theSuvaroffanswered.
This was early. I woke up, hearing the firing. "Now," I thought, "they have begun." I looked out of my port and went to sleep again. When our signalmen first saw the English cruisers, they decided it was theDianacoming to join us. One of them was rather like her. Perhaps the English cruisers help the Japanese to look after our fleet. We saw seven clouds of smoke, but they quickly disappeared behind the horizon. They were evidently seven ships. A steamer flying the English flag met a detachment of our cruisers scouting, and signalled, "Have seen Japanese torpedo-boats. Beware, and look out for attacks to-night."
I am pleased that I was able to send you a letter and telegram. I do not count on receiving an answer to the latter.
TheOrelwill not stay long at Saigon. Probably you will receive my last letter in April, or in the beginning of May, when we shall be at Vladivostok, or——!
March 30th.—General coaling has been going on from early this morning. If we had continued our voyage we should have been at Kamranh abouttwo o'clock. Now we cannot get there before to-morrow.
There is no communication between the ships. There is a great scandal in theAlexander III.She indicated that she had about 900 tons of coal, but in reality it proved to be only 350.
Gradually everything is coming to an end. Cigarettes and matches are scarce. I obtained a piece of soap to-day, and there is only one left.
When the coaling finished, the fleet proceeded. I did not leave theSuvaroff. Several times in the course of the day merchant vessels passed the fleet. I make out that we shall reach Kamranh by dawn to-morrow. We shall anchor there later.
The depth of the fairway will be sounded and searched. Although the soundings of this bay are shown on the chart, they do not trust them entirely. The search will be for fear that the Japanese have laid down mines. It will not be an unnecessary precaution. The bay has two entrances. At one of these a temporary boom will be made in order that the Japanese may not creep up to our ships that way.
10 p.m.—A sailor was buried at sea to-day. It is an extraordinary thing that it again happened in theOslyabya. They have a great many deaths in that ship.
The charts with the soundings of Kamranh proved very inaccurate. One officer informed the staff that he had grounded there in some ship. The depth of the spot was shown in the chart as great, whereas in fact it was slight.
While they are sounding and searching to-morrow all the ships will coal, in order not to waste time.
Birds are flying round the ships. A heron and a dove fell from weariness near theSuvaroff. The heron was drowned, but the dove was rescued by a cutter loaded with coal.
The moon is now shining. In half an hour it will have set and darkness will come on. If the Japanese do not take advantage of it for a night attack, we shall be near Kamranh by morning. I am pleased. As a matter of fact, I was thrown out of my groove the moment the war began. At first there was heavy night work, I was seldom at home; then I was transferred to Cronstadt, then Revel, and Libau, and then abroad. I have had fourteen months of this unnatural and vagrant life.
March 31st.—Arrived at Kamranh. We are lying with engines stopped.
Steamboats and torpedo-boats have gone to reconnoitre and take soundings. Coaling is just beginning. As we approached this morning there was a fog. Suddenly it lifted, and between the fleet and the shore a steamer was seen. Seeing the fleet, she went full speed, hoping to escape. TheJemchug,Isumrud, andSvietlanawere sent to examine her. They overtook her, questioned her, and let her go without examination.
How many steamers were allowed to go in this way! I am firmly convinced that many of them were carrying goods and provisions to Japan. We allowed them to go after merely questioning them, and not even setting foot on their decks. What sort of a fool would admit that he was taking a cargo to Japan? Steamers should be searched,and not questioned. We have let this one go. Why did she run if there was nothing contraband on board?
The Japanese would have acted differently. They would not have parted from them with answers only. Everything drops into our hands, and we neglect it. How the Japanese and their friends must jeer at us! And they are right.
It is hot here. At Vladivostok it is cold. When we arrive there the sharp change of temperature will hardly be conducive to health. There will probably be much catarrh, and even here at Kamranh it is easy to go down with the local fever. A cold wind comes from the hills.
The colliers should arrive soon, bringing the old mails. I count on receiving letters from December 13th to January 21st.
Where has that respected institution called the Naval General Staff sent our letters now? Probably they are pigeon-holed in Petersburg. We have not yet entered the bay, but are lying near it. In the depths of my heart flutters a hope that theOrelbrings your answering telegram. The last one was a month and half ago.
We shall evidently receive nothing from Kamranh, neither provisions nor stores. It is beginning tobe doubtful if we shall be able to send a mail. It is supposed that our stay here will not be long. We shall take in coal and stores, and move on.
The distance from here to Vladivostok as the crow flies,i.e.in a straight line, is little more than 3,000 versts. Of course, our journey will be considerably longer. I reckon that if nothing happens we can do it in fifteen days. Trying days they will be. Perhaps the course we choose will be round about, in which case we shall toss on the sea a long time.
11 p.m.—The transports and some of the torpedo-boats have entered the bay; the other torpedo-boats and warships will remain at sea, cruising round Kamranh with lights. Probably we shall go into the bay to-morrow. There are signs that we shall wait here for the third fleet. If you could but imagine what is going on! If it were possible for me to tell you all about it, you would be amazed. Should I live, I will tell you afterwards. No, there is no use our fighting. Things have come to such a pass that I can only wring my hands and feel assured that no one can escape his fate, for this is the only possible assurance.
The weather has begun to grow cooler. The engines and boilers of all the ships are worn, especiallythe boilers. It is not surprising, considering that for thirty days we have not let go an anchor. Everything has its limits.
April 1st.—Kamranh Bay. We have only just begun to enter the bay, having spent thirty days at sea.
The hospital-shipOrelhas not returned, nor have the colliers come. Have they fallen into the hands of the Japanese?
When our warships approached close to Kamranh, fishermen were seen in their boats; but for some reason not one of them came near us.
In the morning a little bird, apparently an exhausted canary, was caught on deck.
Last night was cooler. I woke up dry this morning. Such a thing has not happened to me for a very long time.
One cannot help wondering if it is wise, losing so much time at Kamranh. All the preparations Japan made for meeting us at the Sunda Straits can be transferred to another spot. They will have time to construct everything afresh. Their device at Sunda Strait having failed, it will be more advantageous for them to meet our fleet nearer their own shores, where they could at once repair their damages and where they have many bases.
All this compels me to think that we are hardly likely to meet them before passing Formosa. Of course, if we remain long at this place, circumstances may alter, and afford the Japanese the possibility of attacking us in the bay itself, and of mining it. In that case Kamranh will be an actual trap. It seems to me that the Japanese consider us more crafty than we really are. On the contrary, we are very simple. I say "simple" in order not to use a stronger term.
We have just anchored. The approaching colliers can be seen in the distance. The shores of the bay are hilly, in some places covered with growth; in others there is grey stone or sand. The sand is a curious colour; sometimes it is quite white, and sometimes yellow.
I have to go away in the steamboat. During the night, two torpedo-boats went to examine a passing steamer, and theBlestyastchymanaged to tear theBezuprechny'sside. The sea is not wide enough for two Russian torpedo-boats! They must be repaired. In theBezuprechnythe rudder is out of order, and one engine does not work.
Officers who went into the bay in torpedo-boats yesterday state that at Kamranh there are postand telegraph offices, plenty of provisions, and that a railway is being constructed to Saigon.
A telegram was received here yesterday that the third fleet had left Jibutil. Hava's agency states that a great fight occurred between our fleet and the Japanese, near the island of Borneo. Such false news will only cause uneasiness in Russia.
Three weeks ago two Japanese cruisers arrived here, but two torpedo-boats were sent from Saigon demanding them to leave the bay. They went. Perhaps they will tell us to go away from here, and evidently it is supposed that we shall remain here a long time.
The external appearance of the bay and its entrances compare with Port Arthur. I hope it will not actually become a second Port Arthur.
They are just bringing the mail from the collier.
April 2nd.—Yesterday the admirals and captains of all ships were sent for on board theSuvaroff. There was a council of war.
The collier only brought from Diego Suarez letters which were addressed to Madagascar. For some ships there were no letters, and for others only two or three each. There was much swearing over it.
The hospital-shipOrelis approaching and bringsnews. Yesterday about 3 p.m. I went to theBezuprechny. The work there seemed enormous. They wanted a fortnight to do it in. I undertook to do it in forty-eight hours, and I think I shall succeed. I went to bed at four—slept in theKamchatkain the captain's deck cabin. I made myself very dirty. In the torpedo-boats I always take care to wear some one else's white tunic when I have to crawl about.
I fed in theKamchatka. They feed there better than in theSuvaroff. A Chinese cook has been engaged from Singapore for the admiral's table; perhaps theOrelis bringing him here.
The workmen in theKamchatkaare without tobacco, and pay ten copecks for a cigarette. How is this? Tobacco was sent them from theSuvaroff. I got on board with difficulty, as there was no boat.
At sunset I shall go to the torpedo-boat, and spend the night there. They sent off a mail while I was away. I was sorry I could not send a letter. When I leave theSuvaroffagain I shall leave this one, and hope that it will be sent somehow.
How carelessly they deal with the post! It was decided that theGortchakoff(transport) should go to Russia from Nosi Be. They sent the mail in her and many sailors' letters. TheGortchakoffcamewith us, all the correspondence is in her, and the senders think that the letters have already been received at home. It is very annoying. Several letters contained money.
TheOreltook the invalid officer to Saigon, in order that he might go back to Russia.
When we were passing through the straits of Malacca a sailor of theAlexanderdisappeared, with his hammock. They thought he wanted to desert the ship, and had thrown himself overboard, taking with him his hammock, which was covered with cork and floats. When theBezuprechnyreceived her injury a servant thought she was sinking, and waking all the officers, he put a life-belt into their hands.
There is a goat in that torpedo-boat. They brought her from Nosi Be. During the thirty days' passage she fed only on paper, did not eat hay, and even now refuses it. They nurse her like a baby. All the visiting-cards have been eaten by her. To-day she has been taken for a run on shore.
A boatswain and a sailor were buried to-day. They were killed by a derrick in theIrtish. In almost every port there are victims of accidents in the fleet.
I saw some natives—Annamese. They are of the Malay type, yellow and rather repulsive. They approached theKamchatkaandBezuprechny, offering to sell various rubbish. The tobacco was quickly bought up, and they paid very dearly for it.
Will theOrelbring me an answer to my telegram? How delighted I should be if I received it!
We are coaling in theSuvaroff. Everywhere there is dirt and nastiness; they are heaping up coal in the wardroom and in the officers' cabins.
1 a.m.—Received your telegram. Many thanks.
April 3rd.—Transport Kamchatka, Kamranh Bay.
At last I can write. I have not been in theSuvaroffsince yesterday. All the time I was either in theBezuprechnyor on board theKamchatka, where I am now writing to you. I obtained paper, went into the deck-house, and am scribbling. Horrible! Whole flocks of cockroaches are running about.
The German steamerDagmarweighed anchor yesterday to go to Saigon. She was stopped and given a mail from the staff. I took advantage of this, and gave my letters to be sent to her.
I am not satisfied with the work in theBezuprechny. I counted on finishing it to-day, and havenot succeeded. The sea and the swell hindered it. Her rudder is repaired, and they are now repairing the breach.
Yesterday a French cruiser came to Kamranh with an admiral. Salutes were exchanged. The admirals paid each other visits. To-day the cruiser left.
11 p.m.—BattleshipKniaz Suvaroff.
I had scarcely succeeded in writing the last page when a letter from theSuvaroffcame for me. I found the ship horribly dirty. Everywhere there was coal-dust as thick as your finger. It hangs in the air like a fog. I do not know where or how to sleep. It is hot and dusty in the cabin. Last night I dozed, sitting on theKamchatka'sdeck in a chair (a canvas one like those used in datchas[15]). I woke up at six o'clock in the morning.
These last days I have been feeding in theBezuprechny, or sometimes in theKamchatka. They feed better everywhere than in theSuvaroff. It has been awkward about provisions up to now. Everything has been bought up on shore. Literally nothing remains. Eggs are sold at twenty-eight copecks a-piece (about 7d.). In the morning they were selling ox-meat for nearly a gold piece.
Altogether there are four Europeans living on shore, and forty Malays. It is almost a desert. There are only five or six houses. The engineers who are constructing the railway live on the opposite side of the bay.
There is a telegraph and post-office here. A Chinese receives the correspondence, and does it very slowly. From twelve to six yesterday he only took ten telegrams and twelve letters from two men. Twelve men were unable to hand in anything. A Chinese clerk is not a quick worker.
There is splendid sport here—elephants, tigers, monkeys, etc.
A clerk from theDonskoiwas buried on shore to-day. Admiral Folkersham has had a stroke, but the doctors say it is very slight and not dangerous. Do you remember I told you a sailor threw himself and his hammock into the straits of Malacca? A steamer picked him up, took him to Singapore, handed him over to the Russian consul, who sent him to Saigon, and from there he was sent to the fleet. He declares that he fell overboard accidentally.
When the hospital-shipOrelapproached Saigon she was met by a cutter and a steamer of Günsburg's, which had come to co-operate with her.The public were not allowed on board theOrel. In the evening, papers came out announcing that the Japanese had been defeated by our fleet, that theOrelwas full of wounded, whose groans were audible, although no one was allowed on board, etc. Such lies can only agitate people in Russia. The Japanese, of whom there are many in Saigon, were so offended that next day they did not leave their houses.
I was afraid I should not have been able to write to you to-day. It would have been the first time. Even on the day of the storm off the Cape of Good Hope, on December 8th, I managed to write a few words.
April 4th.—It was arranged by signal that all engineer-constructors should assemble to meet me. After having spoken to them, I set out for theNachimoff. I lunched there and drank two wineglasses of vodky, two tumblers of beer, and a little claret. It so happened that it would have been difficult to refuse them.
In theNachimoffall the partitions of the officers' cabins have been broken down (so that there should not be a fire). The furniture and the sleeping-bunks have been taken away. The mattresses lie on the floor.
All the ships have prepared for battle, and present a strange appearance. Everywhere there are defences made out of chains, torpedo-nets, coal, hawsers, sailors' hammocks, etc.—anything that comes to hand. The ships have nothing in common with what one is accustomed to see.
Three elephants have been brought here for sale. It is not likely that any one will purchase them.
The French cruiser has returned, and lies in the bay by the side of our ships. It is known that a steamer will pass Kamranh soon, taking about 280 poods of rice to Japan. The admiral evidently hesitates about stopping her, fearing that he will draw on himself the accusation of making a base of a neutral port for the operations of his cruisers. The captain of the steamer is not averse to giving himself up, and will not hide or fly from pursuit.
Although we are lying at Kamranh, matters stand like this—any moment we may expect an order to weigh anchor. Everything is in readiness for this.
The sailor who threw himself into the straits of Malacca has been brought here. He belongs to theNachimoff, and not theAlexander, as I told you before. Until the steamer picked him up he kepthimself afloat in the water for nearly ten hours. To lighten himself he took everything off, only leaving a piece of neck-cover on his shoulders, so that the sun should not scorch him. He went overboard at night, and they drew him out next day. "It was trying, going on board the steamer," he said. "They all looked at me, and I had nothing on."
We have to go 4,500 versts to Vladivostok. If we do not leave here soon, we shall have dark, moonless nights.
April 5th.—Kamranh Bay. How tired I am to-day! All day long I have been going from ship to ship. They have not made me a dirk in theBorodino, as the officer who promised it is lying ill.
The officers in theOlegare angry because Admiral Enquist is being transferred to her.
TheAurora'sofficers went shooting, but only killed a dove. They did not go far from the shore.
April 6th.—All the battleships and theAuroraweighed anchor and went to sea. The rest of the ships remained in the bay.
I smoked my last Russian cigarette.
Some of the transports are going to Saigon, and perhaps will not return.
How news is fabricated! There is a Reuter'stelegram (and Reuter publishes the most trustworthy news) that in the fight with the Japanese our fleet lost the torpedo-boatsBuinyandBlestyastchy, and two cruisers, theAuroraand theDonskoi. Pleasant for those to read this telegram whose nearest are in these ships. Although the cook has not arrived, the food has improved. Provisions were obtained from a steamer which arrived from Saigon.
There is a Japanese mineral water called "Jansen." A great deal of this water has been brought to the fleet. I tried it, and it was not bad.
The people who sorted the provisions behaved like wild wolves. There were some disgusting scenes. The crew of theOrelbroke open a box and got drunk. For some reason a sailor threw himself on the doctor with raised fists, but did not succeed in hitting him. Two officers who happened to be near seized the sailor and nearly killed him. They beat his face into a pulp. It was horrible. The French saw all this, and a nice opinion they will have of the Russians.
A week before theOrelwent to Saigon the captain of theBorodinoordered 4,000 eggs, hams, etc., for the crew. The crew in that ship will celebrate Easter like human beings. It will not be so in other ships.
My notebook is finished. This is the second. Can I obtain another? How much is written in these two books!—all the history of our breakages and repairs.
There is neither sight nor sound of the Japanese fleet. Will they let the third fleet join us without a fight? TheGortchakoff,Jupiter,Kieff, andKitaiwent to Saigon. Cruisers escorted them. Perhaps these transports will bring us coal. There is some belonging to Russia, but will the French allow us to take it?
There are perpetual forest fires on shore. They are a beautiful sight by night. Europeans say that elephants, tigers, and panthers wander about the shore at night. The beasts feel that they are the owners. They even go up to the houses, out of which it is not safe to venture. The place is quite wild. The engineers who are making the cutting for the railway complain that the elephants cherish enmity against the telegraph-posts, and constantly tear them up. It is an interesting country, but not during such a cruise as ours.
I have not been ashore up to the present, and probably shall not go. How wearisome it all is to me! It sometimes seems that this life on boardwill never end. A complete apathy comes over me. Time is agonisingly long.
April 7th.—An inquiry began to-day about the sailor who attacked the officer in theOrel. If they look on the matter seriously, he will have to end his earthly existence.
There is a picture of the surrender of Port Arthur in the French papers. Their contempt for the Russians is growing.
They call us hares. There was one bright side in all this war—the defence of Port Arthur, and now that is besmirched.
The French cruiser is lying at Kamranh, and will remain here as long as our fleet does not leave. It looks as if she were guarding our ships from an attack by the Japanese.
Cursed war! One is ashamed to look a foreigner in the face.
Fifteen months, and not one victory! Rout after rout, and there is nothing but disgrace and humiliation.
There are several officers in the fleet who are preparing to import their wives to Vladivostok. How comparatively near that port lies! We have come a tremendous journey, and only a small bit remains. I wonder if we shall arrive there soon?We are now waiting for the third fleet, and the Japanese are preparing to meet us. No reports about them have reached us. We do not even know where their fleet is. No doubt they know our every movement. It is all horrible. It is annoying when one sees how we do not know how to make use of our strength.
April 8th.—Our auxiliary cruisers returning from escorting the transports to Saigon met a large French steamer. There were many Russians on board her. They were in uniform, and were evidently returning from captivity. They waved their caps and cheered our cruisers.
The French admiral came on board during lunch. The meal was interrupted while he was paying a visit, which was quite unexpected. Has he come in order to request us to go? Yes, it is so. France insists that we leave Kamranh. She is our ally, too. It is proposed that we go back 600 versts and there wait for the third fleet.
It is humiliating to go back and retreat from our final goal. If we were to wait for the third fleet, why did we leave Nosi Be? We only give the Japanese a better chance of preparing themselves. After all, it may happen that we shall go on without waiting. Time has been lost, and ourstrength has not been augmented. The strength of the Japanese will be concentrated in a smaller sphere of activity, and consequently will be more effective.
In what a horrible situation the second and third fleets are now placed! Where and how shall we effect a junction?
Had it not been for the third fleet, we might have been at Vladivostok a long time ago. What will the third fleet do?
By reckonings it has only passed Colombo. From Petersburg it was ordered to go by the straits of Sunda.
April 9th.—An officer has come from the French cruiser and brought a letter for the admiral. A signal has been made to get up anchor at noon to-morrow. It is still unknown where we are going—to Vladivostok, or to some other bay. I wonder if we shall be able to send letters to-morrow? There is little hope of that, but in any case I shall be ready.
South China Sea.—At one o'clock we weighed anchor and went to sea. The transports and theAlmazremained in the harbour, as they were coaling from German colliers. The fleet will remain near Kamranh till they are ready and can join us. Wherewe shall steer then is unknown. Of course, we might toss at sea waiting for the third fleet; but coal! coal! The coaling question is the question of life.
Two of our colliers are arrested. One at Singapore and the other at Saigon. (Saigon, too, is French! How this will please you!)
Our mails have been sent to theTamboff, which, after giving the fleet her load, will go to Saigon. If she does not fall into the hands of the Japanese, the letters will go to Russia.
There is an officer in the fleet who was in theCesarevitchon the 28th—that is, on the day on which Witgift[16]was killed, and when our ships fled so disgracefully wherever they could. From what he says it is evident that the morale in the ships was bad, and that they were all convinced that they would return to Port Arthur; that the Japanese suffered heavily, and if our ships had held out for half an hour more the enemy's fleet would have run. He related a good deal. Obviously, we might easily have been the victors. The pity was that the spirit of despair reigned. TheCesarevitchhardly suffered at all. Wirenius did much harm to the fleet.
All these disgraceful stories will come to light after the war is over. Many heroes will then be taken down from their pedestals.
If we only had had clever and daring leaders the Port Arthur fleet might easily have destroyed the Japanese. What a number of mistakes we made! How little we valued our strength.
When one recalls it all one cannot account for the fatal errors. We have to pay very dearly for them. What follies they have perpetrated on land! How many young lives have been lost! How much will all this cost Russia!
The weather is becoming better. The ships are going very slowly, keeping near Kamranh Bay with lights covered. As usual, I stayed a long while on the bridge. The rainy season will begin here soon, as well as typhoons. How will the smaller vessels, like torpedo-boats, get on?
April 10th.—After lunch I am going to theTamboff; she is shortly going to Saigon. I shall post this letter by her. One of the staff-officers should have gone to theTamboff, but they are nearly all lying ill. I myself feel well, thank God!
Yesterday theOslyabyaburied another sailor.
There was mass to-day. It is Palm Sunday. How time has flown! All night the ships remainedat sea. The night passed quietly. TheIsumrudfouled her screws with a chain. Divers were sent down.
A steamer flying the Norwegian flag passed by. She was examined, but nothing suspicious was found. She was coming from Japan, and not going there.
I took my last letter and gave it to the captain of theTamboff. I handed him a franc for the stamp, but he was offended and would not take it. I tried to obtain cigarettes, but was unsuccessful. The wardroom wanted to buy vodky from her, but that too was a failure. The Norwegian steamer which we examined this morning gave us the latest papers. They are all English.
The discretion of the English press is extraordinary. They consider Japan their ally, so they purposely say nothing about her fleet. About ours they print all the news they in one way or another possess. It is not the English newspapers alone that act thus. To do them justice, the Japanese carefully conceal everything, and no one ever rightly knows how many ships they have lost. Not only ships, but up to the present no one knows how many troops Japan can place in the field. It was thought about 300,000, and already they have placed nearly a million men.
The foreign press (English and French) puts our losses from the beginning of the war at about 400,000 men. If that is the case, how many are left to Linievitch? A mere trifle, about 200,000. Could anything more disgraceful than this war be imagined?
April 11th.—From time to time merchant vessels pass near the fleet. Our cruisers and torpedo-boats go and examine them. A French steamer came quite close, and a man in her expressed a wish to hand something to the admiral in person. I know now that he only announced the date the third fleet passed Colombo, and said that nothing fresh had happened in Manchuria.
A journey of only twelve or fifteen days separates us from Vladivostok. There it is cold, and here it is hot. Many of us will catch colds.
The crew are dressed badly. They have no boots, and their clothes are worn out and ragged.
The Frenchman brought no news. We received newspapers. From these it is evident that there is a great discussion about Kamranh in France. They fear the Japanese are there.
The news can scarcely be correct that Admiral Nebogatoff's fleet (third fleet) has passed Colombo. Its course is elsewhere.
April 12th.—How people are deceived sometimes! It seemed to a good many in theSuvaroffyesterday that there was a steam cutter between her and theAlexander III.Instantly the fighting lanterns were uncovered, and the rays of the searchlight turned on to the suspicious place. They saw some white breakers and foam. Many are inclined to believe it was a submarine boat, disappearing under water when they began to light up. In confirmation of this supposition they point out that theJemchugsaw something like a periscope (a sort of tube which projects out of the water and allows objects that are above to be seen in the submerged boat).
Last evening I went to the upper deck cabin to breathe the fresh air, lay on the sofa, and went to sleep. At four o'clock I woke and went back to my cabin. I have learnt to make cigarettes fairly well. If paper and tobacco last, I can get on without ready-made ones.
They are beginning to say that in a day or two we shall leave Kamranh for another bay. To do this we shall have to take in coal and provisions, leaving the transports. TheTamboffapparently will not come with us. Letters will not be taken to Saigon.
A war vessel has been manœuvring in sight of the fleet. Fearing that she is Japanese, theOleghas been sent to make certain. It is a false alarm. She is probably the French cruiserDéscartes. There is another steamer coming towards the fleet. The question of going to another bay is settled.
We are going to the bay of Van Fong, which is about one hundred versts north of Kamranh. It is probably a wild and deserted spot.
I am bored and anxious, and long to be home.