Outbreak of war between Russia and Japan to be feared according to the Dutch newspaper De Sumatra Post dated 23 December 1903

The Aurora. Original postcard Chocolate La Estrella

Dmitrii Donskoi. Original postcard

Dmitrii Donskoi. 

An item dated London, England 21^st reported that in London was feared for a possible escalation in the Far East while it was almost certainly that Japan would not accept the Russian ideas. Further more started Russia with a more aggressive attitude. Japanese representatives spoke with bankers in New York, USA about a possible loan to be used for financing a war. Reported was that the Russian battleships Oslyzbya (1), the cruisers Aurora (2) and Dmitrodonski (3) with 5 destroyers commanded by admiral Wirenius within some days were to be strengthened with 6 more destroyers with as destination the Far East.(4)

Notes

1. Oslyabya, part of Peresvet-class second class battleships, preceded by Rostislav, succeeded by Potemkin, laid down by the New Admiralty Shipyard, Saint Petersburg, Russia on 21 November 1895, launched on 8 November 1898, commissioned in 1903 and sunk in the Battle of Tsushima against the Japanese fleet on 27 May 1905.

2. Part of Pallada-class protected cruisers, preceded by Svetlana, succeeded by Varyag, building ordered in June 1896, laid down at the Admiralty Shipyard, Saint Petersburg, Russia on 23 May 1897, launched on 11 May 1900, completed on 16 July 1903, commissioned on 16 July 1903, decommissioned on 17 November 1948 and became a museum ship in 1956.

3. Smitrii Donskoi. Armoured cruiser, laid down by New Admiralty Shipyard, Saint Petersburg, Russia on 21 May 1881, launched on 30 August 1883, completed in early 1885, scuttled after the Battle of Tsushima against the Japanese fleet on 29 May 1905 and stricken on 28 September 1905.

4. Russian and Japanese ambitions in Manchuria and Korea conflicted. The Russo-Japanese War 8 February 1904-5 September 1905 ended disastrous for Russia.