In many ships they have mass on the upper deck. I saw two such services to-day--in the _Oslyabya_ and the _Borodino_. I found my way to the latter and remained to lunch. They had pancakes, with smetana.[12] I conversed with the captain a long time, and returned to the _Suvaroff_ at two o'clock. A theatrical troupe has been got up on board the _Borodino_, consisting of ten sailors. They are frequently invited to other ships to give plays. How they are cursing the General Staff about the mail! In several ships they want to telegraph to the _Novoe Vremya_ that the officers request their relations and friends to send their letters through Günsburg's agency at Odessa. Some day I will tell you the part that Günsburg has played in the history of the war. Without him all would have been lost. He provided drink, food, and necessaries for the whole fleet. News has been received that Mukden has been taken by the Japanese, that the road on the flank of the army has been cut, that we have lost 50,000 killed and wounded and 50,000 prisoners. A fearful catastrophe! At the present condition of affairs the war may be considered lost. We must expect every minute to hear that Vladivostok is either besieged or taken. It is useless for the fleet to go on. Poor Russia, when will your trials be ended? One misfortune brings forth another. _February 28th._--It is creditably asserted that from Europe and America they are taking shells, ammunition, guns, armour, and provisions to Japan, and there are even steamers loaded with only milk. Large flotillas of transports are on their way thither. The Japanese navy and army are furnished in abundance with every necessary. Supplies are procured in an unbroken flow. Russia is a contrast to Japan. In Manchuria our troops are starving, cold--not clothed, and barefooted; guns and projectiles are scarce. And our fleet--it is ludicrous even to compare it with the Japanese! We are now lying waiting the arrival of Günsburg's steamer _Regina_, which should bring some provisions. One steamer! and our foe has ten!