There are a lot of rats in my cabin. Their audacity is so great that when I sit at table they run about my feet.
The Chinese who come in junks, bringing provisions, try to get rid of false three-rouble notes made by the Japanese.
Several steamers have refused to go from the south with freights for Japan. Their captains explain that their crews do not care to go to those seas where there are Russian ships.
They tried to explain to the sailors that they themselves would lose nothing. The only risk was of losing the ship. The persuasion had no effect, so they were taken before a judge. The cause of their not wishing to continue to voyage was explained. "The Russian system," said the sailors, "is to fire at a suspicious ship and save no one. They acted thus in the North Sea. We do not want to run the risk."
Unfortunately, we do not do so; but the affair in the North Sea brought us one advantage. Merchant ships do not come near our fleet out of curiosity—they give way to us. Now steamers have no special pleasure in carrying contraband, though they can procure it freely from America. The Japanese were provided with coal long ago. The coal which we sent to Vladivostok in large quantities was captured by them.
The captain of the Eva, who was at Vladivostok a comparatively short time ago, says that there is no lack of provisions there. They want matches. Perhaps he is only inventing. He also says that he has read a telegram announcing that Nebogatoff's fleet has passed Singapore. If this is true we should effect a junction with it shortly.
April 15th.—Last night a rat bit my foot. I must take measures against them.
At the wireless station they are receiving signals. They are rather incoherent messages. It seems as if they meant to say "Nicholas" (the Nikolai I. is with the third fleet). In any case, cruisers are being sent to look out for Admiral Nebogatoff's fleet.
From the Borodino they announce that they are getting similar signs.