The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-14
Vladivostock Squadron Is Not
Ubiquitous, as Reports Would
Indicate.
ALEXIEFF NOW SILENT
For Strategic Reasons He Is Say
ing Nothing About Movements
of His WarshipS.
NAVAL EXPERTS VIEWS
Northern Ports of Japan May Be
Bombarded by the Vladivo-
stock Vessels.

ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 13.-The Asso-
ciated Press is authorized to deny the re-
port that Japanese troops had landed at
Port Arthur with the loss of two regiments.
Nothing is known here officially regarding
the movements of the Vladivostock squad
ron, but the reports that it had sunk Jap
anese transports off Wonsan and destroyed
Hakodate are generally discredited. it being
pointed out that it is impossible for the
squadron to have been in the two places
almost simultaneously.
A naval expert says that if the Hakodate
story is true Admiral Stackelberg Tin COM
mand of the Vladivostock squadron will
be able to come south by the eastern coast
of Japan and cause enormous havoc along
the shore and to shipping. and ultimately
effect a juncture with Admiral Virenius' s
squadron, on its way to the far East from
Europe
Viceroy Alexieff's silence about the Vladi-
vostock is explained as follows: For STRAIT
egic reasons the viceroy, commandments
chief, is empowered to dispose of the ships
and men without consulting headquarters.
The enumeration of the Russian ships en-
gagged at Port Arthur was purposely omit
ted in the official reports, as IL would have
given valuable clew to the enemy.
private telegram has been received
from resident of Port Arthur, in which
the sender claims he saw one Japanese war
ship sink. The fact that no mention was
made of this in the vicerOy's dispatches
does not disprove the story. because the
viceroy is careful not to announce any
thing outside of personally established
facts. 1t is pointed out on high authority
that the Japanese are not likely to admit
such loss, and it is recalled that during
the Chinese war they were most secretive
about the casualties.
The telegraph line between Port Arthur
and the Yalu river is believed to be broken,
which explains the absence of direct news
mulpo. However, little doubt is entertained
here as TO the fate of the Variag and Ko-
rietz.
The blowing up of the Russian torpedo
transport Yenisei as the result of acct
dentally striking a mine at Port Arthur
was telegraphed here yesterday, but the
news was not given out until the names OF
the officers killed were known, so as TO
avoid needless anxiety to the relatives of
the surviving officers. According to the
Novoe Vremya, the YeniSei was laying
mines at the entrance of Talienwan bay
with the object of closing it against attack
from the sea. Observing that one of the
mines had risen to the surface the Yensei
approached for the purpose of lifting il up
when the vessel came in contact with an
other mine, which exploded and caused the
disaster.
The first feeling of depression here is dis
appearing and entire confidence is eX-
pressed in the ultimate success of the Rus
sian arms. A distinguished Russian said:
THE slight reverseS which we sustained at
the outside have had a good effect. The
Russians longer despise the enemy.
That was a mistake which we made. The
Japanese certainly are excellent fighters,
who will be treated with the respect they
deserve
A loyal address from the council Of the
empire was presented to Emperor Nicholas
yesterday. His Majesty, replying to the
deputation presenting the document, said
81 thank you for the expression of your
sentiments and hope, with you, that Gods
help will be with in these times seri-
Gus to / count now, as always, upon
your devotion to myself and to the father
land, and hope Russia will, as heretofore
in her history, emerge from her grievious
trial with honor and strengthened both at
home and abroad and again devote herself
to the arts of peace so dear to my heart
and so necessary to the fatherland."
The Emperor has accepted the offer of
the Knightly Orders of Court and Livonia
and Esthonia, to equip corps for service
at the front
Col. Won Schenck. commanding the EN-
peror Alexander Regiment of the German
Guards, of which the Car is honorary col
onel-in-chief arrived here to-day from Ber-
lin. He will present to the Car auto
graph letter from Emperor William.
Rear Admiral Rojestvensky. chief of the
general staff of the navy, leaves here for
fhp far East Feb l6