The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-20
RUSSIA'S SQUADRONS
MAY EFFECT JUNCTION

ST PETERSBURG, March 19.-1l:5s p.
m-The whereabouts of the Vladivostok
squadron is a secret, but there are those
who believe that the Japanese may wake
up to find that the two divisions OF Russia 3
Pacific squadron have effected a Juncture.
The Admiralty and Vice Admiral Makarof.
before he left for the far East, regarded
the. fact that the feet was separated as
unfortunate for Russia 5 chances of success
at sea. Realizing that offensive naval op-
erations are impossible under present con-
ditions, it is believed that no opportunity
will be neglected 10 join forces even at
considerable risk.
The report that seven Russian warships
were sighted the other day off Gensan.
Korea, creates much speculation as TO
whether they could be the vessels OF tho
cruiser division from vladivostok under
Captain Reitzenstein. The number OF ships
said TO have been sighted does not tally
with that of the Vladivostok division.
which properly consists of four fast cruis-
ers and the transport Lena. IL is learned.
however. that the outbreak of hostilities
found two ships of the volunteer cruiser
fleet at vladivostok. and there is reason
to believe that these have since been fitted
out with guns taken from shore batteries.
1t is. therefore. possible that the ships
sighted were those of Captain Reitzenstein.
whose object, ii he ventured so far south
along the eastern coast OF Korea; could
hardly be anything except to slip into Port
Arthur II this is true, IT is thought the
squadron must have already run the
gauntlet of the Korean strait and be
close to Port Arthur.
In accordance with personal orders from
taught to the imperial page corps. Les
sons began this week
Staff orders, issued at Harbin. which have
just arrived by mail, show that Chinese
troops have moved much further north
than was supposed. General Tin Cheng
has concentrated 5000 men at Bodune 100
miles southwest of Harbin: General Ma has
10000 men at Kauppantze. while another
5000 are at Tsin-Min-Tun, fifty miles west
of Mukden, and 10000 at Ichan. all points
on the western border of the zone of Rus
sian military operations. These orders are
also significant inasmuch as they lay
stress on the holding aloof of the Chinese
officers in Manchuria, the civil governor at
Mukden having forbidden the Chinese to
supply cattle. food or fodder to the Rus
slams The Governor OF Hai-Cheng just
terng the affairs OF a town situated on tha
railroad, is also said to have ordered the
people not TO accept Russian money. and.
according TO native reports. he is organiz-
ing Boxer bands. The native Governor OF
Kirin has issued proclamation enjoining
the observance of the strictest neutrality,
but he refused TO withdraw the troops in
the neighborhood until imperatively ordered
to do so by the Russian headquarters.
The government has forbidden the trans
mission of all cipher messages throughout
Russia and abroad as a military measure.
The report that the government has pur-
chased the German steamer Kaiser Fried
rich III, which was built for the North
German Lloyd line, but failed 10 meet the
speed requirements, is untrue.
The Car to-day inspected a cartload or
little comforts that had been collected and
prepared by his daughters, the Grand
Duchess Olga and the Grand Duchess
Tatiana, and their piaymates. for wounded
Russian soldiers. His Majesty caused tho
children much delight by the interest he
manifested in their work. which had been
done I'm a room In the winter palace Later
the Car spent two hours I'm going over
dispatches regarding the movements OF the
troops and the plan CT campaign.