Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-08-12
vLADivosToK PREPARED
To Take Care Of Flying Fleet from
Port Arthur.

Vladivostok. Aug. 11.-Preparations
are being completed here for the re-
ception and protection of the Port Ar
thur squadron. The departure of the
squadron from Port Arthur is general
~ interpreted to indicate that the siege
of the fortress is entering on its final
stage as the program has repeatedly
been announced by The Associated
Press for the squadron to leave so soon
as the situation at Port Arthur be-
came desperate.
The preservation of the squadron is
considered to be vital to Russia's flu
ture plans. and while it is acknowledge
ed that it's departure will greatly weak
en- the defensive power of the earri-
son, the fall of the fortress will be
robbed of much of its strategic inn
pOrtance. The smaller ships probab bly,
were left behind on account of their
slow speed and inadequate fighting
POWER, while the torpedo boat destroy
ers would constitute a constant menace
to the Japanese fleet outside.
Definite news of the result of the re-
ported battle outside Port Arthur is
awaited here with feverish anxiety
Even If the squadron succeeded in get
ting through the Japanese ships 1t is
realized that it runs desperate risk
In trying to reach VladivOstOk as Adj
miral Tcgo's fleet Is larger of superior
strength and faster than the Russian
squadron. Besides the straits of Corea
are understood to be mined and the
squadron probably will be compelled
to take the longer route around Japan.
1t is believed that the purpose of the
o..
shitelny in going to Che Foo was to
notify Admiral Skryiloff of the sortie
of the Port Arthur squadron, in order
that he may dispatch the Vladivstok
squadron to meet the squadron from
Port Arthur.
Advices from Admiral Avellan indi-
cate that it will consist Of the battle
ships RetviZan, PObieda. Peresviet,
Sevastopol, Czarevitch and Poltava, the
armored cruiser Bayan and the pro-
tected cruisers Pallada, Diana and
Askold. Satisfaction is expressed at
this indication that the Bayan which
was slightly damaged has been sue
cessfully repaired. The protected cruis-
er Novik was probably left at Port Ar
thur. The Port Arthur squadron is I'M
der the command Of Rear Admiral
Without. The report that Vice Admiral
Bezobrazoff had taken over the COM
mand of that squadron is untrue. He is
now i'll at Vladivostok.
AS the speed Of a squadron Is not
faster than that Of the lowest unit
which is the Poltava which could not
at her best make over Is knots, that
speed Is the estimated rate of steam
ing Of the Port Arthur squadron,
whereas the Japanese battleship have
IS knots speed. Both squadrons. how
ever. have probably greatly deteriorat-
ed in speed.
Advices from Admiral Avellan indi-
cate that 1t will consist of the battle.
ships Retvizan. Pobieda. Pereviet. Sc
vastopol. Czarevitch and Poltava, the
armored cruiser Bayan and the pro-
tected cruisers Pallada, Diana and AS
kold. Satisfaction is expressed at this
indication that the Bayan. which was
slightly damaged. has been successfully
repaired. The protected cruiser Novik
was probably left at Port Arthur. The
Port Arthur squadron is under the
command Of Rear Admiral Without.
The report that Vice Admiral Bezobra
zOff had taken over the command IF
that squadron Is untrue. He is now
Ill at Vladivostok.
As the speed Of a squadron is not
faster than that Of the lowest un;t
which Is the Poltava, which could NOT
at her best make over 1S knos. that