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 the Suvaroff yesterday that there was a steam cutter between her and the Alexander 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 the Jemchug saw 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. The Tamboff apparently 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, the Oleg has been sent to make certain. It is a false alarm. She is probably the French cruiser Déscartes. There is another steamer coming towards the fleet. The question of going to another bay is settled.