The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-14
JAPANESE PURSUED
BY PRINCE OUKTOMSKY

ST. PETERSBURG, April 14.-What has
been the issue OF the combat between Rear
Admiral Ouktomsky and the japanese fleet,
or whether a fight has actually taken place
is not known I'm St. Petersburg. At 2:3O
O'Clock this morning the committee of cen
sors adjourned after announcing that no
further news had been communicated.
The of cial messenger received a dispatch
at $50 o'clock from Prince Ouktomsky, but
whether IL was sent before his departure
in pursuit of the japanese feet or after his
return the editor of that journal does not
know. In any event the action OF Prince
OLktomsky is considered daring in the eX-
treme. With him only one battleship
and three cruisers and the torpedo boats.
and IL Is quite possible that he planned to
retire TO the shelter of Port Arthur if the
Japanese ships which he endeavored to
overtake were reinforced. This would not
be an impossibility. as Vice Admiral Max
aroff had previously accomplished it, Vice
Admiral Togos ships may De hidden in the
Miatao islands in the hope that the Rus
slams would pursue the weak division and
thus bring about combat with the faster
Japanese men-Of-war.
Despite official and private dispatches.
the belief continues that many details of
the ca 1strophe to The Petropavlovsk have
enforcement OF the enemy was the con-
trolling reason for Makaroff's return TO
Port Arthur. but factor in this decision
also is undoubtedly the plan Of campaign
not 10 engage a superior force or run the
risk OF damage To his ships. but to wait
squadron.
IL is suggested that the presence Of Grand
Duke Cyril may have influenced Vice Ad-
miral Makaroff to retire TO Port Arthur in
order not TO expose the possible heir 10
the throne to the danger of death.
The time OF Makarcffs departure from
Port Arthur. when the Petropavlovsk was
IL took place in daylight and not in dark
hess OF early morning. II Is believed that
nigh oniciai states that these dispatches
can only furnish a list of the living and the
mournful details as to how beloved ones
Tonight ended the celebrations following
Easter Sunday, which In past years has
been time of gayety and feasting, but the
terrible news from Port Arthur has plunged
the city into the deepest gloom. 1t seemed
as IL the householders could not take down
quickly enough their decorations. which
had been allowed to remain up since Sun
day:
y Military circles are discussing the effect
of the Gripping of the Port Arthur fleet
Hitherto II has been believed that the Jap
anese would abandon the project to dis
embark an army at the head of the gulf of
Liao-Tung because OF Vice Admiral Max
aron's activity, and In view of a possible
attack upon the transports when passing
through the straits of Pei-Chi-Li.
According to later reports, Grand Duke
Cyril was more seriously injured than at
first believed He has been removed TO a
hospital at Port Arthur for treatment. De-
spite the statements In the dispatch, the
Grand Duchess Vladimar believes that her
is dead, saying: Everybody has been
killed and l cannot believe that Cyril was
saved"
Ii is stated that Viceroy Alexieff will as
sumo command of the naval forces in the
far East. presumably pending the arrival
of Rear Admiral Rojestvenski.
The police ordered all restaurants in ST.
Petersburg TO be closed at o'clock last
night.