The Donskoi reports that she sees occasional lights out of funnels on the horizon. That they are following us is beyond doubt. We shall go by the straits of Malacca, the length of which is about 1,000 versts. There will be surprises on going through it, and on leaving it we may count on meeting the whole of Togo's fleet. Probably among the Japanese ships will be those the Russians were unable to sink properly at Port Arthur. I have no confidence in success.
If I were in the place of the Japanese I should let the whole fleet pass without hindrance to Vladivostok, not risking my own ships in battle. It would be so easy to make a second Port Arthur out of it. A siege can be more easily undertaken there (if they have not already done so). The fortress is worse; there are less stores, workshops, and docks.
Every advantage is on Japan's side. Her success is almost sure.
March 18th (morning).—The weather is worse. The barometer is falling. The wind gets stronger and stronger; it has attained the force of a gale. The Suvaroff inclined three degrees to the wind, and has remained in that position. My heart beats when I think of the torpedo-boats. They are being towed. I am very anxious about them. It will be dark soon. How are they faring now? They are not visible from the Suvaroff. The wind has gone down, but the sea is still big. The Bodry, one of the torpedo-boats, has her mast broken. The Gromky broke her tow-rope, and is going independently.
During the last coaling a steam-cutter from the Sissoi was sunk. All the crew were saved. The boat incautiously approached the side of a battleship, which rolled and sank her. In the Terek yesterday a sailor fell into the hold, and died to-day.
March 19th (morning).—Probably the whole world thought the fleet would go from Nosi Be to the East, round Australia or the straits of Sunda. It is proposed to go, as I have said, by the straits of Malacca. Every one will be astonished at our effrontery.
In a day or so we shall enter on a route where there are many merchant steamers. This means that in a short time all the world will know the whereabouts of our fleet and the route chosen.
At a favourable spot the Japanese may meet us. The impending battle will be one of the most momentous of the war.
Important events will soon now begin to take place. A new phase of the war which has been so unsuccessful and unfortunate for us is beginning.
We are not going to Saigon, but to Kamranh. It is a small bay, lying about 350 versts north of Saigon. On shore there is a fort and a small settlement. There is no telegraph, but apparently there is a post-office. The fleet will pass in view of Singapore.