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 the Suvaroff. 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-ship Orel is approaching and brings news. Yesterday about 3 p.m. I went to the Bezuprechny. 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 the Kamchatka in 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 the Kamchatka. They feed there better than in the Suvaroff. A Chinese cook has been engaged from Singapore for the admiral's table; perhaps the Orel is bringing him here.
The workmen in the Kamchatka are without tobacco, and pay ten copecks for a cigarette. How is this? Tobacco was sent them from the Suvaroff. 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 the Suvaroff again I shall leave this one, and hope that it will be sent somehow.
How carelessly they deal with the post! It was decided that the Gortchakoff (transport) should go to Russia from Nosi Be. They sent the mail in her and many sailors' letters. The Gortchakoff came with 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.