T HE most apparent fact in regard to modern war is
that things move much more slowly than the public, or even the experts, expect. A month ago we were told that the time had come when the fate of Asia was to be decided in the China seas, and that the engagement between the opposing fleets might be expected at any moment. Yet still the contest is delayed, and Togo and Rozhdestvensky are even now only sparring for an opening. If, however, Friday's news is confirmed, and Nebogatoff's squadron has really passed Singapore, and is about to join the main Russian fleet, it does seem likely that at last some crucial event is imminent. Having reached his full strength, Rozbdestvensky has no further reason for delay. Indeed, he has every reason to move at once to his destination, for the longer he delays, the more his coal and other supplies will diminish. Meantime Togo is still invisible, and though thousands of eyes of the newspaper correspondents of the world are strained to discover him, no one has yet got even a hint of his where- abouts. Curiously enough, it would seem as if great events at sea, when they come, will be matched by great events on land, for it is stated that the Japanese armies in Manchuria are ready for their next move, and are, indeed, already advancing in force to cut off Vladivostok. Of trustworthy indications of 'a desire for peace on the part of Russia there are none. She has partially recovered from the shock of the battle of Mukden, and till another such catastrophe takes place there is no likelihood of a revival of any movement for ending the war.
