Evening journal., 1904-03-09
Japanese Squadron Sent
to attack the Russian
Cruiser Squadron, and
Is Declared to Have
Carried out Orders
From Japanese
Commander Expected
Today-Japs Confident
Their Ships Have Sig
naHyDefeated Russians

TOXIC. japan, March 9.-It is believed
here that there has already been deci-
sive naval engagement in the vicinity Of
Vladivostok, and tidlngs of It are anxious
ly awaited.
The Japanese fleet did not It is said,
20 to Vladivostok for the purpose of
bombarding the town, but to locate and
attack the armored cruisers Gromoboi,
Rossia and Rurik and the cruiser Goga-
tyr. the Russian fleet stationed there.
Il is understood here that when the
Japanese feet arrived there on Sunday
last 1t found the Russian squadron alb
Ant II this is true It gave the japanese
squadron advantages in the way of avoid
ing the inshore batteries, at the same
time putting It in a position to prevent
the Russian ships re-entering the harbor.
1t Is doubted that the Japanese withdrew
their entire squadron, unless the location
Of the enemy had been discovered, as it
meant surrendering the advantage of be-
F. ing in a position between the enemy and
the enemy's base.
There is a strong possibility that the
japanese found the Russian ships in the
vicinity of Possiet Bay and gave them
battle there.
The names and number of ships in the
japanese squadron have been kept secret.
but 1t was probably sufficiently strong to
separate into two divisions, the one to
guard VladlvostolS and the other 20 cruise
IN search OF the Russian ships. It IS said
that the newly-purchased cruisers Ms
shin and Kasuga are taking pant in the
present movement of Vladivostok.
The Navy Department expects to re-
eeive dispatches from Gensan, where II
was planned that the fleet should call az
ter the operation Involving an attack
upon the Russian squadron had been con-
Il cluded. The japanese are quite confident
In the ability OF their squadron TO signal
ly defeat the Russian ships. and laus hing
say that the big Russian cruisers. which
stand unusually high out Of the water,
make excellent targets.
London. March s.-The Daily Telegraph
this morning publishes a despatch from
Toxic. dated March s. and saying:
1T is reported that the Japanese feet
engaged the Russian Vladivostok squad
ron at sea yesterday The result OF tho
engagement Is not announced, but it is
believed that the Russian ships were des-
# troyed or captured.
abouts of Captain Reitzenstein's Vladi.
yistok squadron is carefully guarded. bu
here is a strong impression that when tn,
seven Japanese warships appeared Off th'
iarbor Sunday and yesterday the Rus
ilan squadron was outside perhaps dowr
he coast. cooperating with the Russian
and force near the mouth of the Tuner
liver II the Russians were outside anC
he Japanese definitely ascertained tn,
act, big sea fight is probably imminent
is It is considered certain that the Jap
nose I'm that case viii lie on and off Vladl
5ostok to prevent the return of the Rus
ilans, giving battle If they are caught il
he open sea.
Tine harbors along the coast in which
he Russians might seek refuge are frozei
nd the squadron must eventually b.
orced 10 return TO Vladivostok for coal
Although the Japanese squadron Is su
erior In numbers and guns, consisting o
battleship and four armored cruisers
wo of which are believed to be the Idsu
10 and the Yakumo, and two unarmore,
ruisers, the four armored cruisers unde
'aptain Reitzenstein the Rossi, Gromboi
turk and BOgatyr. are among the fines
essels in-tae Russian navy, and expert
ere arc not certain that they could no
AXE the measure Of Rear Admiral Uriu'
hips.
Berlin, March S.--A telegram from
{. Petersburg confirms the statemen
aat the Russian scualdon has lae
iadivostoiS. 1t IS believed, accordin,
, the National Zetung" correspond
II, that The now entTsrising chief o
ie squadron, Captain Reitzenstein. ha
q one TO search for three warships whicl
apaa Is said TO have recently pur
lased from Chile. and which are nov
aported to be In the Pacific Ocean.
- Russian naval officers nre conflden
lat Reitzenstcin Will achieve his oil.
M ct. Foreign navas attaches IN 81
etersburg. on the other hand, expnes
WEATEEI