Port Arthur – Tokyo

If the enemy does not surrender, they are destroyed. Or compelled to peace if political pragmatism and human compassion prevail among the motives of the victorious side, rather than a desire for revenge and plunder. Having secured victory in the general battle of fleets at Cape Shantung, and avoiding the bloody, destructive consequences of the Gapon disturbance, St. Petersburg unexpectedly offered Tokyo peace on honorable terms for the defeated side. However, the generous proposal of the Russians was rejected. The military elite obtained from Emperor Meiji the decision to continue fighting. The first serious defeat on land, near Liaoyang, does not change his position. But prolonging the war is not in Russia's interests. And the tsar approves two daring operations proposed by the Pacific Fleet headquarters. Rudnev's squadrons are to attack the forts of Tokyo Bay and land the Guards Expeditionary Corps to take the capital of Japan. At the same time, thirty torpedo boats are to strike the enemy fleet directly at its main base – Sasebo.